[1]that’s also why we have a bunch of tax havens and generally a lower tax rate, as all cantons and even the communes within them are in a competition.
Is it me, or is does this seem like a case where they simplified so much that they lost some of the inherent checks and balances in the system?
I guess if I need a fake passport, I have a lead on how one can be made. Just social engineer the info to access government services out of a New Zealander...
Replacements and renewals can be done entirely online because of facial biometrics (to compare the previous passport photograph with the new one and to see if the new picture may be used elsewhere) and digitization of other records for internal comparisons.
ABC (Australia) has an interesting video on Youtube describing the process.
I just looked, and apply by mail is only available in certain situations, one of which is that it must be a renewal, and the prior on must have been within the last 15 years and you must have been over 16. It sort of makes sense with those rules, but still seems somewhat lax to me.
Generally New Zealand govt services are fast and painless. If I ring the IRD (==IRS) they just register the phone number and call back. The person is genuinely helpful, and they generally are just keen to get your money with the least amount of hassle to anyone. Very simple taxation policy helps too (e.g. totally reduced the special taxation cases, such that most people have to spend zero time filing taxes, it is done automatically and you just get a bill or refund!).
I ordered a replacement passport last week - it was all online including the uploading the photo - and it was couriered to me a few days later.
This is repeated in many different services. There are horror stories -- mostly I hear them about health/ACC and sometimes Work and Income (social welfare). But you regularly hear good stories about those too.
So it is at least possible for monopoly services to be good.