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The New Zealand passport is getting a makeover with the roll out of a new style ePassport.
The new ePassport contains new artwork and security features.
It's cost the government $100 million to update.
Gone is the dark navy cover, replaced in black with a silver fern design on the front.
Also changed is the colour photographs used in the passport. The new photos are now in black and white.
The reason for that change is that black and white photographs are the only ones that can be laser engraved for extra security.
Internal Affairs Minister Nathan Guy says the security features in the new style ePassport will make it extremely difficult for anyone to make counterfeit passports.
"It's secure, it's got about 50 security features in it, it's about the same price as the existing one, we've got to keep ahead of these fraudsters," says Guy.
"This has been very robustly tested around the world and I have the utmost confidence in the new passport."
He says the new style of passport will be gradually phased in over the next few months.
New Zealand last changed its passport 17 years ago and system failures led to massive delays in the issuing of the booklets.
The passport is going to undergo change again in five years to keep ahead of the fraudsters.
