Editing National identification number (section)

=== New Zealand ===
The New Zealand government is prohibited by law from creating one single national identity number.<ref>[https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2020/0031/latest/LMS23342.html Privacy Act 2020 s.22] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119224513/https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2020/0031/latest/LMS23342.html |date=2021-01-19 }} Information privacy principle 13(2)</ref>

Having a national identification number has been strongly opposed by New Zealand public in the past. The small population means a name and date of birth can usually uniquely identify someone, though [[identity theft]] is possible when two people share a name and birth date. A number of different identifiers are used instead for specific purposes in New Zealand:

*An Inland Revenue Department (IRD) number is issued by the IRD to every taxpayer (a [[natural person|natural]] or [[juristic person]]), and is needed with dealings with the IRD. It must be given to any employer or bank responsible for charging [[withholding tax]], and to apply for or use a [[student loan]].
*[[Driver licence]]s are often used as to verify an individual and carry a unique number which is often recorded when providing them as identification. Passport numbers can also be used for this purpose.
*The social security and student support services of the Ministry of Social Development (Work and Income, and StudyLink) issue a Work and Income client number, assigned at the occurrence of a person's first contact with either service. A general letter of enquiry about a service appears to be sufficient for one to be logged and may be assigned without the letter writer's knowledge.
*A [[NHI Number|National Health Index]] (NHI) number is assigned to all [[New Zealander]]s at birth, and to those who use a health and disability support service and do not already have one.
* A National Student Number is issued to students by the Ministry of Education<ref>{{cite web |title=National Student Number (NSN) |url=https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/login/national-student-number-nsn/ |website=New Zealand Qualifications Authority |access-date=4 December 2020 |archive-date=3 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203182042/https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/login/national-student-number-nsn/ |url-status=live }}</ref>