SmartGates receive boost from Government

Customs Minister Nicky Wagner using the new SmartGate. Photo / Supplied

There will be faster processing of passengers using SmartGate at the border after the Government spent asset sales money on the latest machines.

Customs Minister Nicky Wagner this morning announced that more than $6 million from the Future Investment Fund will help fund an additional next-generation SmartGates - self-service machines that processes passengers using an e-Passport scanner and biometric information.

"Nine new generation SmartGates, which deliver a faster process, will be installed this year. The remaining 20 SmartGates will be installed over the next 18 to 24 months," Ms Wagner said this morning.

"The new SmartGates use a faster, more efficient, integrated process that incorporates the passport scanner into the gate, eliminating the kiosk and ticket. Passengers scan their passport and step up to the biometric scanner, which is an improvement on the current two-step process.

"With annual passenger numbers expected to increase to nearly 12.7 million by 2019, Customs will be well positioned to manage this increase efficiently and effectively."

The Future Investment Fund was a pool of billions of dollars raised from selling half stakes in power companies and a sell down of Air NZ shares.

The Government has said asset sales cash would be used to fund "high priority future investment" in assets like schools, hospitals and broadband.

Budget 2015 allocated $939 million from the fund, with $244 million on education and $210 million on ultra-fast broadband.