What is the difference between a RealMe login and a verified identity?

A login gives you one username and password to access many government services, while a verified identity is a stronger identity-proofed credential used when you must prove who you are, such as opening a bank account.

It is a New Zealand Government service owned by the Department of Internal Affairs and delivered with NZ Post.

🇳🇿 New Zealand · Government login

RealMe

RealMe (login and verified identity)

RealMe is New Zealand's official government digital identity service, providing a single login to reach many government online services plus a higher-assurance verified identity used where proof of identity is legally required. Owned by the Department of Internal Affairs and delivered with NZ Post, it has operated since 2013.

What it does

Online authenticationIdentity verification / KYCBiometric authenticationSelective attribute sharing

Country:🇳🇿 New Zealand

Type:Government login

Status:Live

Launched:2013

Issuer:Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), in partnership with New Zealand Post

Who can get it:New Zealand individuals accessing government and participating commercial services

Format

Web loginMobile onboarding app

Identity attributes

Verified nameDate of birthPlace of birthGenderPhoto / facial biometric

Authentication methods

Username and passwordMulti-factor (SMS or authenticator)Facial biometric matchingIn-person verification at NZ Post

Common use cases

Single login across government servicesVerified identity for banking and AML-regulated servicesEnrolling to voteAccessing agency services

Standards

DIA identity assurance frameworkSAML federated single sign-on

Coverage

More than 1.5 million verified RealMe identities, used across roughly 148 services

Interoperability

Domestic

Privacy and trust

RealMe is built so agencies you log in to do not receive your full underlying identity documents, sharing only the attributes a service is entitled to, on a consent basis.

Official source

https://www.realme.govt.nz/

RealMe: frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a RealMe login and a verified identity?: A login gives you one username and password to access many government services, while a verified identity is a stronger identity-proofed credential used when you must prove who you are, such as opening a bank account.
Who runs RealMe?: It is a New Zealand Government service owned by the Department of Internal Affairs and delivered with NZ Post.

Educational reference, not official guidance. Confirm current details with the issuing authority. all New Zealand schemes · identity verification vendors