TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Wednesday (Aug. 28) directed the representative office in Auckland to communicate Taiwan's sovereignty status to local authorities after a Taiwanese woman had her driver's license application rejected over her nationality.

When the woman identified as Shiny Lai applied to the New Zealand Automobile Association (AA) office in Westgate, Auckland for a learner’s permit, a staffer told her the firm could not process her application because she listed Taiwan as her place of birth. In response, MOFA said it instructed the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Auckland to express Taiwan's position and prevent similar mistakes in the future, per CNA. 

“As a proud Taiwanese,” Lai said she tried her best to explain to the woman that Taiwan is a country, reported Stuff on Sunday (Aug. 25). When Lai spoke with a different customer service agent, the employee recommended that she change her place of birth to Thailand.

In response to a query from CNA about the incident, MOFA said that Julian Travaglia, AA’s Head of Centre Network, has publicly apologized. Travaglia pledged to strengthen staff training.

Travaglia confirmed “there are no restrictions regarding place of birth for the NZTA licensing process — Taiwan is a valid option.” He added the company regrets the application was not handled “quickly and efficiently for Ms. Lai.”

The ministry emphasized its concern for the rights and interests of Taiwanese citizens and has instructed TECO in Auckland to communicate Taiwan's stance to prevent similar errors from happening again.

The ministry also said that in cases where Taiwan is improperly named or Taiwanese face unequal treatment, it would continue to request corrections.