Just spotted this on Twitter:

Would this potentially work with Smart watches like Apple Watch?

At least one place has a keen techy and some programmable tags/tiles then.

It'd be easy if you could re-purpose current blank Mifare ID tags and slip them behind a poster. But thus far not figured out if possible with standard security cards (think they need a handshake from the software?). NFC tools on android seems to have a write function if you can get an empty tag

/edit. Ah. It's not at DIY phase yet. But the spec is there for anyone with programmable ones :)

72. Release 8 introduces the ability to add an entry by tapping a NFC tag. A trial is being run
in which the Ministry programs, prints and distributes these tags to a limited set of
locations, such as university locations, hospitality venues and a gym.  

https://github.com/minhealthnz/nzcovidtracer-docs/blob/main/docs/functions/nfc.md 

I created my own NFC tag. Works well. It used to require that you would tag once and it would open then app, and then you would need to tag again to actually add the entry but now it does it with one tap with screen unlocked. Not sure if that was changed in a recent update.

I just use a blank mifare tag i had, nothing too special. A DESFire EV1 4k but have also used a NTAG215. You do need a bit of storage, the payload for mine is 309 bytes so a NTAG213, which is the most common tag I would say, doesn't have enough storage with 144 bytes available.

Using NFC Tools on android to write. Got the payload from a QR code reader app and then appended it to the https://tracing.covid19.govt.nz/scan#data= as record 1 URL, record 2 was an application. You do need to be careful with the URL the app appends https:// for you but other than that it is pretty straight forward.

I feel a challenge coming on!

We have some Mifare DESFi EV2 2k here...

Can you screeny your app for clarity. Not completely sure of the app record etc

Actually I think I got it...

https://cdn.geekzone.co.nz/imagessubs/adb3a90eaa19a1ee73fe8bc696475200.jpg 

Yeah it was a little trial and error for me to get the record types right as the github page calls it External but in NFC tools it is referred to as Application. Same with Link vs URL as there are multiple URL types or links. These are my settings with the payload blanked out:

If i was doing this properly and not just for myself I would either lock or password the tag as well but haven't done that.

Out of interest, locking or PWing it just stops cloning?

Oblivian:

 

Out of interest, locking or PWing it just stops cloning?

 

Doesn't stop cloning but prevents, or at least makes it harder for, someone else either wiping the tag or overwriting it with other data and then locking it themselves. I've seen unlocked NFC tags in the wild over-written to try and Rickroll people, was a Wi-Fi details NFC tag at an Airbnb. When dealing with the public, always lock tags.

alasta:

 

The Dashboard screen isn't working for me. I can switch to the 'record visit' mode, but the Dashboard is blank and the 'today' and 'more info' buttons are unresponsive.

 

The problem seems to have started when I upgraded from an iPhone XS to an iPhone 13 Pro, so maybe the problem is specific to that model of phone? 

 

 

Just a brief update on this;

I installed the iOS 15.0.1 update yesterday and the symptoms of this problem are no longer occurring. Hopefully others are having the same experience in which case I assume it's resolved. 

Oblivian:

 

At least one place has a keen techy and some programmable tags/tiles then.

 

Just thought I'd mention that the photo of the NFC tag comes from Victoria University (I believe Kelburn campus) where the MOH is running their initial trial. Will be interesting to see if it leads to increased uptake and what proportion of the student population prefers to scan via camera vs NFC. Also interesting given that some parts of VUW campus have their own existing RFID cards that staff/students swipe for entry/exit recordkeeping and so users may not feel the need to do both. Will be watching the trial and waiting for data to come out with interest, I imagine the govt will want to be pretty certain that it does have a positive effect before committing to rolling out NFC infrastructure everywhere (one tag isn't too expensive, a couple million tags are quite a bit more expensive, and they have to be assigned correctly and might break and so on).

alasta:

 

alasta:

 

The Dashboard screen isn't working for me. I can switch to the 'record visit' mode, but the Dashboard is blank and the 'today' and 'more info' buttons are unresponsive.

 

The problem seems to have started when I upgraded from an iPhone XS to an iPhone 13 Pro, so maybe the problem is specific to that model of phone? 

 

 

 

Just a brief update on this;

 

I installed the iOS 15.0.1 update yesterday and the symptoms of this problem are no longer occurring. Hopefully others are having the same experience in which case I assume it's resolved. 

 

As a further update, this problem has started occurring again. So I can confirm that the iOS 15.0.1 update hasn't fixed it.

I have to confess that this sort of thing makes me a bit nervous about vaccine passports. Losing access to the Covid Tracer dashboard isn't a big deal, but if the vaccine certificate app suffers from glitches that unexpectedly prevent people from accessing their proof of vaccination then it is going to lead to some very awkward situations. 

alasta:

 

I have to confess that this sort of thing makes me a bit nervous about vaccine passports. Losing access to the Covid Tracer dashboard isn't a big deal, but if the vaccine certificate app suffers from glitches that unexpectedly prevent people from accessing their proof of vaccination then it is going to lead to some very awkward situations. 

 

Passport is said to be a mobile first web page. It is on th beta page at least. Basically the 'APP' would then likely be a front end trimmed browser - the kind you natively do with forums and the likes that make an 'icon' on your homescreen. Looks like an app, feels like an app, is a small webpage.

alasta:

 

As a further update, this problem has started occurring again. So I can confirm that the iOS 15.0.1 update hasn't fixed it.

 

I have to confess that this sort of thing makes me a bit nervous about vaccine passports. Losing access to the Covid Tracer dashboard isn't a big deal, but if the vaccine certificate app suffers from glitches that unexpectedly prevent people from accessing their proof of vaccination then it is going to lead to some very awkward situations. 

 

Paper version would also be available (i.e. you can generate a PDF or similar from the app and then print it out). So usable as a backup if the app isn't working (or your phone dies or gets stolen or whatever).

I have every intention of keeping a paper copy. In fact, I would preferentially use the paper copy because if you're going to carry it with you then it defeats the purpose of having the app.

However I suspect a lot of younger people will get caught out because carrying bits of paper isn't the cultural norm for them. 

I like the idea of server-side generated QR with revolving hash - like a 2FA token/fob does. Stop duplication if it is a live realtime check