New Zealand Opens Tender for Digital Identity Trust Register

Published Date : 9/2/2025 

New Zealand's Department of Internal Affairs has launched a tender to establish a Trust Framework Register, aiming for a February 2026 launch. The register will manage a list of accredited digital identity services and technologies. 

New Zealand's Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has launched a tender to establish a Trust Framework Register, a central platform for managing and communicating the accreditation status of digital identity providers and services. The Request for Proposal (RFP) was published on Friday, August 1, and the deadline for submissions is September 19. Clarification questions must be submitted by September 9. Work under the contract is expected to begin in November, with a test environment operational by December, and the register going live by February 2026.

The Trust Framework Rules, which came into effect in July, mandate the creation of this register. The DIA describes the register as a centralized, standards-based platform that will allow Trust Framework Authority staff to edit and update the accreditation status of digital identity providers and services through a web interface. The register will be delivered as a public API, enabling machine-to-machine inquiries to validate the accreditation status of credentials, wallets, and other components of the digital identity ecosystem.

Digital identity verifiers, digital wallets, and other related features of the digital credentials ecosystem may be listed in the register. The DIA emphasizes the importance of meeting the system’s exact specifications and requirements, ensuring interoperability, adhering to international standards, and maintaining cost-effectiveness.

The register will play a crucial role in the digital identity ecosystem. For example, a verification application like NZ Verify will use the Trust Framework Register to confirm that a provided credential is accredited and issued by a currently accredited organization. To perform these functions, the chosen solution must support ISO 23220-3 and 23220-4, ISO 18013-5: Annex C, ICAO Digital Travel Credentials, and W3C Verifiable Credentials.

The pricing response form includes fields for implementation, 24/7 support and hosting costs, software licensing, development and set-up costs, service management, training, and environmental costs. The DIA is committed to ensuring that the register is robust, reliable, and meets the needs of both individuals and organizations involved in the digital identity ecosystem.

This initiative is part of New Zealand's broader efforts to enhance digital identity services and ensure that they are secure, reliable, and user-friendly. The Trust Framework Register will serve as a critical tool for maintaining the integrity and trustworthiness of the digital identity ecosystem in New Zealand. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the purpose of the Trust Framework Register?

A: The Trust Framework Register is a centralized platform for managing and communicating the accreditation status of digital identity providers and services, ensuring the integrity and trustworthiness of the digital identity ecosystem in New Zealand.

Q: When is the Trust Framework Register expected to go live?

A: The Trust Framework Register is expected to go live by February 2026.

Q: What are the key requirements for the Trust Framework Register?

A: The key requirements include support for international standards such as ISO 23220-3 and 23220-4, ISO 18013-5: Annex C, ICAO Digital Travel Credentials, and W3C Verifiable Credentials, as well as interoperability, cost-effectiveness, and a user-friendly web interface for managing accreditation status.

Q: Who can use the Trust Framework Register?

A: The Trust Framework Register will be accessible to digital identity verifiers, digital wallets, and other components of the digital identity ecosystem, as well as individuals and organizations needing to verify the accreditation status of digital identity services.

Q: How will the Trust Framework Register benefit New Zealand's digital identity ecosystem?

A: The Trust Framework Register will enhance the security and reliability of digital identity services in New Zealand by providing a centralized, standards-based platform for managing and validating the accreditation status of digital identity providers and services. 

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