At the time of checking in, the Immigration New Zealand’s Advance Passenger Processing (APP) system validates their entitlement to travel to or through New Zealand.  Passenger information entered into airlines’ systems is screened against Immigration New Zealand’s database at time of check in.  The airline receives a boarding directive – ‘Okay to Board/Board with Outward Ticket’ or ‘Do Not Board’ – for that passenger. 

Immigration Border Officers may also intervene where a passenger is identified as being a possible risk by the Risk Targeting Programme (RTP) team based at Auckland International airport. The RTP team profiles and identifies risk passengers by analysing information through the airline reservation system as people start checking in for their flights. This advance information enables early intervention with high-risk passengers. When a risk passenger is identified, the Risk Targeting team contacts the Airline Liaison Officer if there is one at that location, or airline ground staff, to intercept the passenger.

The travel document will be examined, and the passenger interviewed. This may include a telephone interview of the passenger by the Risk Targeting team. Those found not to be bona fide, or genuine passengers will not be allowed to board their flight.

The main reasons people are denied boarding include:

• An alert being recorded against their name/passport number
• The passenger requiring a visa to travel to New Zealand but not holding one or the visa has expired or been used
• The passport presented is recorded as being lost/stolen/invalidated or the passenger’s identity is in serious doubt
• The passenger is unable to meet entry requirements for New Zealand
• New Zealand citizens are denied boarding on flights to New Zealand due to attempting to travel with expired, invalidated or no passports.