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New Zealand university student ID card photo requirements

The photo rules set by Individual universities (Auckland, Victoria University of Wellington, Otago, Canterbury, AUT, Massey) for the New Zealand university student ID card, with the official wording and sources.

Based on 7 official sources · last checked Official sources Page history

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Quick answer

What are the New Zealand university student ID card photo requirements?

Rules vary by university. Auckland wants a JPG over 500 KB and under 10 MB, at least 900 x 1200 pixels; AUT takes JPG or PNG files over 500 KB and under 10 MB; Massey takes 500 KB to 4 MB. Otago takes your photo on campus, Canterbury issues cards at its Security Office, and Victoria lets you smile.

Universities set their own ID card rules, so there is no single New Zealand student photo standard. This entry covers Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland, Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, the University of Otago, the University of Canterbury, AUT and Massey University, using each university's own student pages.

A 3:4 portrait JPG between 500 KB and 4 MB, from 900 x 1200 up to 4500 x 6000 pixels, taken in the last 6 months against a plain light background with no hat, sunglasses or filters, meets the published upload limits at Auckland, AUT and Massey. Keep a neutral expression unless you are at Victoria.

New Zealand university student ID card photo size and specifications

The requirements as published by Individual universities (Auckland, Victoria University of Wellington, Otago, Canterbury, AUT, Massey):[1]

Print sizeAuckland: 900 x 1200 to 4500 x 6000 pixels
Digital sizeAuckland: 900 x 1200 to 4500 x 6000 pixels; AUT: maximum 4500 x 6000 pixels
BackgroundPlain, light-coloured (Auckland, Massey, Otago distance)
ColourFull colour (Victoria, AUT)
Photo ageMassey: less than 6 months old; Auckland: no more than 2 years old; AUT and Otago: recent
File sizeAuckland and AUT: over 500 KB and under 10 MB; Massey: 500 KB to 4 MB
File formatAuckland: JPG/JPEG; AUT: JPEG, JPG or PNG; Massey: JPG, JPEG, BMP or PNG; Victoria: JPG or JPEG

Key requirements

  • University of Auckland

    Upload in the Campus Card self-service portal (hard-copy photos no longer accepted since September 2017). JPG or JPEG, over 500 KB and under 10 MB, 900 x 1200 to 4500 x 6000 pixels, no more than two years old. Single-coloured plain light background with strong contrast and no shadows; whole head in frame, centred, not tilted or turned, with a clear gap around head and hair; neutral expression; no hair across face or eyes. Edited or AI-enhanced images and copies of a passport or other document are rejected. An NZ Post shop can take an ID photo and email you a copy, which normally meets requirements.

  • Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington

    Upload in the online enrolment system when you enrol, or email a JPG or JPEG to student-cards@vuw.ac.nz with your full name, preferred first name, date of birth and student ID number. Whole face and head, facing forward, full colour. No hat, sunglasses, logos, icons, other people, black and white, or a copy of your passport or driver licence photo. Smiling is allowed. First card free; replacement for a lost or damaged card costs $21.

  • University of Otago

    On the Dunedin campus the ID Card Office takes your photo once you have completed your Student Declaration; bring one accepted photo ID (such as a Kiwi Access Card, full passport, NZ driver licence or NZ firearms licence). Card is free and valid for three years. Distance students use the ID card application form: a recent standard passport photo with a plain light-coloured background, processed at a photo lab or pharmacy (no holiday snaps or home-printed photos), certified on the back by a witness who can identify you as a true likeness, and not stapled over the face.

  • University of Canterbury

    After accepting your Enrolment Agreement, go to the UC Security Office at 114 Ilam Road (open 24 hours) with ID such as a driver licence or passport, or a passport photo certified by a Justice of the Peace, school principal or solicitor. Off-campus students post a certified passport photo with full name, student ID number, a 4-digit PIN and postal address. Photos cannot be sent electronically. Certification must read 'certified as a true and correct likeness of [your full name]' with the date, certifier's signature and designation, and official stamp if any.

  • AUT

    Upload in My AUT under Personal Details, Upload Photo, or email it to autadmissions@aut.ac.nz with your name and student ID number. Recent, full-colour JPEG, JPG or PNG, over 500 KB and under 10 MB, no larger than 4500 x 6000 pixels, showing a full front view of face, head and shoulders with eyes open. Sunglasses not allowed; tinted prescription glasses fine if eyes visible. Hats, head coverings and headbands not allowed except for religious purposes. The card is included in tuition fees and posted to a New Zealand address. (AUT's page also lists a minimum pixel size and aspect ratio that appear to be typing errors and are not repeated here.)

  • Massey University

    Log in to the student portal, choose Request student ID card, and capture or upload your photo. Reviewed within two working days; card sent within 10 to 15 working days of approval. The photo is rejected unless it is a JPG, JPEG, BMP or PNG of 500 KB to 4 MB, less than six months old, with no manipulation or filters, head and shoulders centred with a clear gap around head and hair on a plain light-coloured background, head straight to the camera with eyes open and mouth closed, no headbands or head coverings except on religious grounds, and eyes clearly visible through any glasses with no reflections, sunglasses or tinted lenses that hide the eyes.

Do's and don'ts

Do

  • Use a plain, light-coloured background in even light
  • Face the camera with your whole face visible
  • Check the file type and size limits for your university
  • Keep a neutral expression unless you are at Victoria

Don't

  • Wear a hat or sunglasses
  • Add filters, edits or AI enhancement
  • Submit a copy of your passport or driver licence photo (Auckland, Victoria)
  • Email a photo to Canterbury, which does not accept electronic photos

Glasses

Usually allowed if your eyes are clearly visible and there is no reflection. Auckland and AUT allow tinted prescription glasses if your eyes can still be seen, while Massey rules out tinted lenses that hide your eyes. Auckland, Victoria, AUT and Massey all rule out sunglasses.

Headwear and religious dress

Hats are not allowed. Auckland, AUT and Massey allow a head covering for religious reasons, and Auckland also for medical reasons. Victoria says no hats.

Auckland, AUT, Massey and Victoria take digital uploads (Victoria also by email). Otago takes the photo on campus, with distance students posting a certified printed passport photo; Canterbury accepts only printed passport photos from off-campus students and no electronic photos.

Where to submit the photo

Auckland: Campus Card portal. Victoria: online enrolment or email. Otago: ID Card Office, Dunedin, or by post for distance students. Canterbury: Security Office, 114 Ilam Road, or by post. AUT: My AUT, or email. Massey: student portal.

How to get your New Zealand university student ID card photo

  1. Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the New Zealand university student ID card: 4500 × 6000 px digital file, plain background. Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
  2. Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: university of Auckland; te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington; university of Otago; university of Canterbury.
  3. Prepare a print or digital file. Auckland, AUT, Massey and Victoria take digital uploads (Victoria also by email).
  4. Submit the photo with your application. Auckland: Campus Card portal. Victoria: online enrolment or email. Otago: ID Card Office, Dunedin, or by post for distance students. Canterbury: Security Office, 114 Ilam Road, or by post. AUT: My AUT, or email. Massey: student portal.

New Zealand university student ID card photo FAQ

It depends on the university. Victoria says your photo must not be a copy of the photo on your passport or driver licence, and Auckland won't accept a copy of a passport or other document. Otago and Canterbury ask distance and off-campus students for a certified passport photo. A new passport-style photo that meets each university's file rules is the safe choice.

At Victoria University of Wellington, yes: it says you're allowed to smile. Auckland asks for a neutral expression, and Massey asks for your mouth to be closed.

Usually yes, if your eyes are clearly visible and there is no reflection. Auckland and AUT allow tinted prescription glasses if your eyes can still be seen, while Massey rules out tinted lenses that hide your eyes. Auckland, Victoria, AUT and Massey all rule out sunglasses.

Not a hat. Auckland, AUT and Massey allow a head covering for religious reasons, and Auckland also for medical reasons. Victoria says no hats.

Auckland and AUT want more than 500 KB and less than 10 MB; Massey wants 500 KB to 4 MB. A JPG between 500 KB and 4 MB, at least 900 x 1200 pixels and no more than 4500 x 6000 pixels, fits all three.

Massey wants a photo less than 6 months old and Auckland one no more than 2 years old. AUT and Otago ask for a recent photo.

Related photo specifications

Other New Zealand documents

Student cards nearby

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Official sources

  1. University of Auckland. Your Campus Card photo auckland.ac.nz. Checked 29 October 2026.
  2. Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. Student ID cards wgtn.ac.nz. Checked 29 October 2026.
  3. University of Otago. Obtain a student ID card ask.otago.ac.nz. Checked 29 October 2026.
  4. University of Otago. 2025 ID card application form for distance students (PDF) otago.ac.nz. Checked 29 October 2026.
  5. University of Canterbury. Get a Canterbury Card canterbury.ac.nz. Checked 29 October 2026.
  6. AUT. Student ID cards aut.ac.nz. Checked 29 October 2026.
  7. Massey University. Student identity cards massey.ac.nz. Checked 29 October 2026.

Requirements can change, so always confirm with Individual universities (Auckland, Victoria University of Wellington, Otago, Canterbury, AUT, Massey) before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.

Cite this page

"New Zealand university student ID card photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/new-zealand/student-id-card-photo

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