Border to gradually start reopening from February 27 to New Zealanders and migrants ahead of tourists

Vaccinated New Zealanders in Australia will be able to return to New Zealand without going through Managed Isolation/Quarantine (MIQ) from 11:59pm, February 27, according to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

New Zealanders everywhere else abroad will be able to do the same from 11:59pm, March 13.

Vaccinated travellers will have to isolate at home for 10 days at current settings. Once Covid-19 spreads more through the community and we move to Phase 2 of the plan we are following, they will be able to isolate for seven days.

Unvaccinated travellers will go into MIQ.

By July at the latest, the border will open to Australians and foreigners from visa waiver countries/territories that exempt them from applying for a visa before travelling to New Zealand.

The border will fully reopen in October.

Throughout the year, the border will also progressively open to various visa holders and people required to fill skills shortages. These groups are largely being prioritised ahead of international tourists.

For example, people with Working Holiday Scheme visas will be able to enter from 11:59pm, March 13.

Up to 5000 international students will also be able to arrive from 11:59pm, April 12 in time for semester two.

Again, the vaccinated will have to self-isolate; the unvaccinated will need to go into MIQ.

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said, “Isolation requirements will be kept under constant review, and we do expect them to reduce. The reopening to visa free tourists is also likely to be brought forward, with July being the latest date we anticipate this happening.”

Below is a breakdown of the different phases. See this Immigration New Zealand document for a more detailed run-down, particularly of the different visa categories. 

Hipkins said, “All arrivals will be provided three rapid antigen tests at the airport, one for use on day 0/1, and one for use on day 5/6, with one extra for backup. This approach means we will continue to identify cases that enter though the border and limit their wider contact with the community.

“In addition, we will continue to whole genome sequence all returnees who test positive to rapidly identify and respond to new variants…

“Our plan has built in protections to help manage risks such as future variants. A phased approach to reopening reduces the risk of a surge of cases, while prioritising the return of New Zealanders and much needed entry of skilled workers.”

Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi said, “From 13 March, just over 5 weeks away, we will start re-opening Working Holiday Visa schemes. This will supply urgently needed workers for the tourism, hospitality, wine and horticultural sectors as well as providing some much-needed visitor spending.

“Also from 13 March, we’re simplifying the application process for the critical worker border exception. Skilled workers with job offers paying at least 1.5 times, instead of double, the median wage will be able to come in without the need to demonstrate that their skills aren’t readily obtainable in New Zealand.

“Before COVID, New Zealand was issuing over one million visitor visas per year. What’s being announced today is about gearing up in manageable steps to fully re-open as safely as possible to enable us to live with COVID but not be overwhelmed by it.”