New Zealand Reports of the Virus Spread

[jakeseven7]

Why is NZ closed still.....

Oh and people not reporting RATS.... who EVER would have thought that would happen....

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COVID reality arrives for Kiwis as cases explode and ‘Fortress NZ’ falls

The country currently has one of the highest per capita daily infection rates in the world - officially almost 200,000 active cases.

www.theage.com.au

COVID reality arrives for Kiwis as cases explode​

Wellington: Two years after the pandemic began, New Zealanders are having to adjust to a new reality.

After keeping the virus at bay for so long, COVID-19 is now tearing through the nation’s population courtesy of the highly infectious Omicron variant. In the span of two weeks, new case numbers exploded from less than 1000 a day to more than 22,000 on Friday. On Monday 17,522 new cases were reported, making the seven-day rolling average of cases total 17,921, up from 17,272 on Sunday.

The country currently has one of the highest per capita daily infection rates in the world, according to Johns Hopkins University data. There are officially almost 200,000 active cases - 4 per cent of the population - though the Health Ministry is concerned people may not be reporting positive rapid antigen tests.

 

[burmans]

I’m hoping this has just about peaked as wife and I are heading to NZ in 5 weeks for Easter. Adult kids can’t come as they have Australian passports though frankly at over $1k per ticket I wasn’t encouraging them, lucky we booked ages ago with Singapore Air points(good value!).

 

[jakeseven7]

I’m hoping this has just about peaked as wife and I are heading to NZ in 5 weeks for Easter. Adult kids can’t come as they have Australian passports though frankly at over $1k per ticket I wasn’t encouraging them, lucky we booked ages ago with Singapore Air points(good value!).

We just moved an ANZ congress from Wellington to Melbourne because no one wanted to go to NZ

My how the turns have tabled

 

[burmans]

We just moved an ANZ congress from Wellington to Melbourne because no one wanted to go to NZ

My how the turns have tabled

Yeah indeed, though I doubt all the twists in this tale are over yet.

Having been through this here I'm not really that worried, not planning to go to any nightclubs anyway (mainly will visit relatives and do some touring of small towns). We all know how to stay relatively safe these days and I have been triple vaxed, roll on relatively normal life.

 

[Kemblegirl]

Greetings
I am planning to travel to NZ with my Kiwi citizen husband and am confused about entry requirements for partners. I am an Australian citizen and I think I have to apply to enter NZ and if you apply how long is the process? I have tried calling but gave up after 45 minutes on hold.

Has anyone else been in this predicament and any advice?

Any advice much appreciated

Thanks

 

[AviationNZ]

Greetings
I am planning to travel to NZ with my Kiwi citizen husband and am confused about entry requirements for partners. I am an Australian citizen and I think I have to apply to enter NZ and if you apply how long is the process? I have tried calling but gave up after 45 minutes on hold.

Has anyone else been in this predicament and any advice?

Any advice much appreciated

Thanks

Presuming you're planning on travelling soon (i.e. before any of the planned border changes in the next few months), my understanding is that you'll need to apply for a Request to Travel. In the link below, it states that partners of NZ citizens can travel to NZ but do require a form to be filled out.

Reopening the New Zealand border

The international border is open and eligible travellers are now able to apply for a visa.

www.immigration.govt.nz

I'm a Kiwi and my wife is an Aussie but we both live in NZ normally, so we were able to travel to/from AU the other week with relative ease and weren't required to fill out the Request to Travel form. However, if you don't live in NZ normally, I'd recommend filling out the form.

According to this link here, being a partner is considered a valid reason to travel (I think!), you just need to provide evidence of the relationship.

Apply for critical purpose travel

How to complete your application for critical purpose travel.

www.immigration.govt.nz

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

Another announcement on nz border due on Wed 16th.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Another announcement on nz border due on Wed 16th.

So another announcement of an announcement .

Ardern says some border reopening dates could be brought forward

The prime minister says there may be announcements on the timeframes for that this week.

www.1news.co.nz

Travelling to New Zealand - New Zealand Customs Service

covid19.govt.nz

 

[Kemblegirl]

Presuming you're planning on travelling soon (i.e. before any of the planned border changes in the next few months), my understanding is that you'll need to apply for a Request to Travel. In the link below, it states that partners of NZ citizens can travel to NZ but do require a form to be filled out.

Reopening the New Zealand border

The international border is open and eligible travellers are now able to apply for a visa.

www.immigration.govt.nz

I'm a Kiwi and my wife is an Aussie but we both live in NZ normally, so we were able to travel to/from AU the other week with relative ease and weren't required to fill out the Request to Travel form. However, if you don't live in NZ normally, I'd recommend filling out the form.

According to this link here, being a partner is considered a valid reason to travel (I think!), you just need to provide evidence of the relationship.

Apply for critical purpose travel

How to complete your application for critical purpose travel.

www.immigration.govt.nz

Thank you…..and you are right…..I have applied for a Request for Travel and am advised they will get back to me within 5 days. Hopefully, if the request is approved the next step is straightforward with the provision of a copy of our marriage certificate.
I gather Jacinda is about to announce bringing the border opening forward to mid-April

 

[Kemblegirl]

Apologies ….. missed Mwenenzi’s post re yet another announcement from the PM

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

Another announcement on nz border due on Wed 16th.

NZ reopens to Australia at 2359 on 12 April 2022, 1 May 2022 for visa waiver or holders who already have a visa, 1 October for those who need a visa but don't already have one

 

[Mwenenzi]

As anticipated opening up to AU from 13 April & many other countries on 01 May. About 60 visa waiver countries.

NZ Govt When New Zealand's borders open [update 16 march 11:34]

<snip>
Step 3 —
From 13 April, and from 2 May
From 11:59pm 12 April 2022The following fully vaccinated people can enter New Zealand and do not need to self-isolate or enter MIQ:

• Australian citizens and permanent residents.
• Current temporary work and student visa holders from anywhere in the world, with a valid visa who can still meet their visa requirements — this includes both visa holders currently offshore, and those in New Zealand who choose to travel overseas and wish to return.
• Up to 5,000 international students from anywhere in the world, for semester 2.

Get a COVID-19 pre-departure test

From 11:59pm 1 May 2022
The following fully vaccinated people can enter New Zealand and do not need to self-isolate or enter MIQ:

• Visitors from countries who do not need a visa (visa waiver visitors).
• Visitors from other countries who already hold a valid visitor visa.

Visa waiver countries and territories | immigration.govt.nz
<snip>

PM on border reopening plan: 'We're ready to welcome the world back'

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced New Zealand's borders will be open to vaccinated Australians from 11.59 pm on 12 April.

www.rnz.co.nz

<snip>
Ardern says trans-Tasman travellers have traditionally made up 40 percent of tourists to New Zealand, and will be able to travel in time for the Australia school holidays, and provide a boost for the winter ski season.
<snip>

New Zealand back to normal as most travel restrictions end

What was once 'Fortress New Zealand' is now back to normality, with most travel restrictions now history.

www.executivetraveller.com

<snip>
Air New Zealand and Qantas are expected to ramp up their current skeleton schedules, used to ferry home NZ citizens and residents living overseas, and Jetstar – which this week resumed flying to Bali – is certain to be quick off the mark.

Virgin Australia’s intentions are not yet known: the airline opted out of the original 2021 bubble to focus on building out its domestic network and shoring up its market share in the face of competition from Qantas, Jetstar and new challenger Rex.
<snip>

 

[ketsuzei]

Still too much pointless testing:

"They will need to be vaccinated and have test negative in a pre-departure test – but will not be required to isolate upon arrival.

These tests could be a PCR test or supervised LAMP test or RAT. Visitors will be provided with RATs on arrival and need to take a test on arrival and on day 5 or 6."

 

[Mwenenzi]

Still too much pointless testing:
"They will need to be vaccinated and have test negative in a pre-departure test – but will not be required to isolate upon arrival.

These tests could be a PCR test or supervised LAMP test or RAT. Visitors will be provided with RATs on arrival and need to take a test on arrival and on day 5 or 6."

Are other countries with pre departure testing, including USA
For NZ (and AU) would expect this requirement to continue for some time

 

[Mwenenzi]

NZ Govt announced some changes to CV19 settings this morning.
No scanning or vax passes. Vaccine mandates removed for many workers
(rnz.co.nz)-->What you need to know: Key changes for scanning, vaccine passes and mandates

 

[drron]

NZ Govt announced some changes to CV19 settings this morning.
No scanning or vax passes. Vaccime mandates removed for many workers
(rnz.co.nz)-->What you need to know: Key changes for scanning, vaccine passes and mandates

Basically had to since the High Court found that vaccine mandates for police and defence personnel were unlawful.

Covid-19: High Court quashes 'unlawful' vaccine mandate for police and defence force staff

In a ruling released today, Justice Cooke agreed the vaccine mandate infringed on parts of the Bill of Rights Act.

www.rnz.co.nz