NZ Looks for Suppliers for Digital Credential System

Published Date : 7/30/2025 

New Zealand has launched a Request for Proposal (RFP) to identify suppliers for a digital credential issuance platform, which will be used by the NZ Government Digital Wallet. The platform will support various government services and credentials, including a mobile driving license. 

New Zealand has officially launched a Request for Proposal (RFP) to identify suppliers for a digital credential issuance platform that will be used by the NZ Government Digital Wallet. This initiative follows advance notice issued last week.

The issuance platform will be managed by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) and will be used by government agencies to issue digital IDs and other credentials stored within the wallet. The wallet itself is part of the NZ Government Mobile App, designed to bring together government services and credentials. Notably, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) plans to introduce a mobile driving license (mDL), which will be integrated into the app. The app is expected to go live before the end of 2025.

The digital credentials will be verified by relying parties using the identity verification app NZ Verify, developed by New Zealand’s homegrown digital infrastructure company Mattr. According to the document, this is an exciting opportunity to deliver and operate a nation-changing technology platform that will be the cornerstone in New Zealand’s adoption of Digital Credentials.

Pre-conditions for consideration include support for public key infrastructure (PKI), whether through APIs, a third-party PKI solution, or direct integration with the issuance platform. The document references biometrics as a method of binding an individual to a credential, but does not specify requirements for credential binding.

The deadline for submitting proposals is August 27th, 2025. The tender specifically focuses on the issuance platform and does not cover any other part of the Government App Program. The initial contract will last four years, with possible renewals for two additional years.

According to the tender, the supplier should deliver a single credential issuance platform as a 'managed service.' The document emphasizes, 'We are not looking for a product that needs to be developed or built specifically for this implementation.' The platform should meet international standards, including the W3C Verifiable Credentials standard, Selective Disclosure JWT Verifiable Credential (SD-JWT VC) format, the Digital Travel Credential (DTC) standards from ICAO, the ISO 23220-3 mDoc digital identity format, and other upcoming international standards.

Other future digital credential issuers may include agencies such as New Zealand Police, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), Ministry of Social Development (MSD), Inland Revenue Department (IRD), and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, among others. The tender document states, 'Already many Government Agencies are working through the necessary changes to relevant Legislation in preparation for issuing Digital Credentials, others are watching and waiting for this project to deliver the platform that will enable them to move forward in this space.'

Last year, New Zealand finalized its Digital Identity Services Trust Framework. In April, the country issued a tender to identify suppliers that could create an accreditation infrastructure for digital ID services. The DIA also carried out a market engagement on civil registration in June and is looking for a new capture solution for face biometrics to complement the matching capabilities it uses from Daon. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the purpose of the digital credential issuance platform?

A: The purpose of the digital credential issuance platform is to manage and issue digital IDs and other credentials for New Zealand government agencies. These credentials will be stored in the NZ Government Digital Wallet.

Q: When is the deadline for submitting proposals?

A: The deadline for submitting proposals is August 27th, 2025.

Q: What are the key international standards the platform should meet?

A: The platform should meet international standards such as the W3C Verifiable Credentials standard, Selective Disclosure JWT Verifiable Credential (SD-JWT VC) format, the Digital Travel Credential (DTC) standards from ICAO, the ISO 23220-3 mDoc digital identity format, and other upcoming standards.

Q: Which government agencies are expected to issue digital credentials?

A: Future digital credential issuers may include agencies such as New Zealand Police, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), Ministry of Social Development (MSD), Inland Revenue Department (IRD), and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

Q: What is the expected launch date for the NZ Government Digital Wallet?

A: The NZ Government Digital Wallet is expected to go live before the end of 2025. 

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