Your first step is to report the loss of your passport to your local police station, and complete a police report. This should prevent anyone else using your passport if it is found or stolen.
The issuing authority of your passport (eg. your embassy, high commission or consular) must also be informed of the loss and they may require a copy of your police report as well. You should also request the issue of a new passport from them at the same time.
For New Zealand passports, you should contact the Department of Internal Affairs. For all other passports, please find your embassy, high commission or consular contact details and contact them directly.
Once you have obtained your new passport, you should request a transfer of any valid NZ visas into your new passport. This should be done using the Application for Transfer or Confirmation of a Visa form (INZ 1023).
If you are in NZ temporarily at the time, and your visa has expired while waiting for your new passport, your situation is more complex, so you may contact our Immigration Contact Centre for personal assistance.
This answer was last updated on 30 July, 2012.
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