Aotearoa New Zealand ranks among top global passports in latest 2026 Henley Index

Aotearoa New Zealand continues to maintain a strong presence on the world stage, securing a top-ten position in the latest global passport rankings. According to the July 2026 update of the Henley Passport Index, reported by CNN on Tuesday, New Zealand passport holders now enjoy visa-free or visa-on-demand access to 183 destinations worldwide. In the rankings published on 21 July 2026, New Zealand shares the seventh-place position with a group of nations including Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Malaysia, Slovakia, and Slovenia. This placement underscores the continued international mobility and strong diplomatic standing enjoyed by New Zealanders traveling abroad. The global rankings see Singapore maintaining the top spot as the world's most powerful passport. Following closely in second place are Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. The United Arab Emirates has notably moved up to join the second-place tier, providing its citizens with access to 188 destinations. Sweden holds the third position with access to 187 destinations. While some nations, such as the United States, have seen a long-term decline in status compared to previous decades—now sitting in tenth place alongside Iceland—New Zealand's consistent performance in the top ten highlights the strength of its international relations. Further down the list, the United Kingdom, Poland, and Hungary occupy the sixth spot with access to 184 destinations, while a large group of European nations, including Denmark, France, and Spain, sit in fourth place.