2860 days ago

Online Passport renewal

Neil from Newstead

I am wondering if others are finding the online application for a passport is fraught with significant photo rejection rates that I have found. Sure, the passports.govt.nz website provides guidelines for submitting photos and there is a jovially ‘hip style' video which paints an "oh too easy" simplification on how to avoid the errors that eventually my attempts have been rejected for. It seems to accentuate my inability to be successful big time. Once rejected, each critique offers little suggestion as to “how to fix" the attempts being made for a subsequent resubmission. One critique even implied that a colour photo i had submitted was black and white. Subsequent submissions have then included different rejection comments that could also have applied to earlier submissions.

My choice to submit an online application is aimed precisely to achieve the goal of using the internet to save travel and expense of passport renewal, lifelong learning and staying connected in a digital world as a pensioner. Undertaking tasks online should be a breeze but I am finding this task not so simple at all. Surely there could be a template provided with instructions of how to set multiple phones or cameras to achieve the desired aspect ratio, pixel size and light intensity? I have a 20megapixel Sony xperia smartphone which takes impressive photos - but this assignment has almost got me stumped. Relevant comments would be appreciated.
I will withhold my far from friendly looking attempts at photo submission meanwhile.

More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Neighbourhood Challenge: Who Can Crack This One? ⛓️‍💥❔

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

What has a head but no brain?

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!

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3 days ago

Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”

We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?

Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.

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Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
  • 40.5% Yes
    40.5% Complete
  • 34.4% Maybe?
    34.4% Complete
  • 25.1% No
    25.1% Complete
521 votes
14 hours ago

Suellen's Sweet Christmas Tradition

Hilda Ross Retirement Village

The festive season is the perfect excuse to indulge your sweet tooth and to bring something truly special to the Christmas table. For Suellen’s family, that showstopper is Croquembouche !

An impressive tower of cream puffs bound together with delicate spun sugar, this classic dessert is a favourite at weddings across France and Italy and a much-loved Christmas tradition at home.

Click read more for the full recipe.

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