Summarised by Centrist
The National Party is facing a social media firestorm over its plan to introduce digital driver’s licences.
National’s cheery pitch proposed the move is a simple upgrade: “We’ve introduced legislation for digital driver licences, making it easier for you to have your licence on your phone instead of in your wallet.”
But online, the reaction was anything but polite.
“F*** off,” read one of the most repeated replies. Others accused the party of pushing an “Orwellian digital prison” or secretly following instructions from the World Economic Forum.
Critics questioned why physical IDs needed replacing at all. “We know where it all leads,” one user posted. “Digital dystopia and subversion to the Socialist State. NO. NO WAY. FORGET IT.”
Another summed up the broader frustration: “Control and subversion disguised as convenience, example #12384.”
The most common themes were loss of privacy, digital coercion, and fear of centralised control. Many commenters said they didn’t carry phones by choice and refused to be tethered to a system they didn’t trust. Others mocked the idea as impractical and invasive.
While National hasn’t announced whether the new system will be optional, that hasn’t stopped the uproar. Opponents say even voluntary digital ID schemes create a slippery slope toward mandatory surveillance.
One user put it bluntly: “I’m not carrying a phone just so I can drive. Stick it where the sun doesn’t shine.”
The Regulatory Systems (Transport) Amendment Bill has now passed its first reading in Parliament.
Read more over at The Daily Telegraph NZ
Image: Adrian Tritschler
