New Zealand has reopened its travel bubble with Australia once again. As of today only New Zealanders, permanent residents and Cook Island citizens are allowed entry to the country.

Submitting a negative COVID-19 test result is still required. Prime Minister Jacinda Arden has announced the borders will likely remain closed for most of 2021.

Suggested: 14 Countries Open for Vaccinated Tourists

More recently she has expressed the positive results of the vaccine for decreasing the spread and mortality of COVID-19, which means the reopening can be sooner than expected.

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New Zealand Reopening – Newest Updates

June 30 – New Zealand to resume trans-Tasman travel bubble with Australia on July 4

New Zealand will reopen its – recently closed – trans-Tasman bubble to some states of Australia on July 4. New COVID-19 related restrictions apply.

Only visitors from South Australia, ACT, Tasmania and Victoria who can produce a negative COVID-19 test will be allowed to enter New Zealand from 11.59pm on Sunday July 4.

New Zealand has determined that the spread of the virus in these parts of Australia are now under control, according to what Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said earlier today.

When asked about the new pre-departure testing restriction, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that it is “key to maintaining the confidence of New Zealanders in the bubble and ensuring that at periods of uncertainty across states, it gives us that extra layer of protection,” said Ardern.

Source: 7News

June 19 – New Zealand to reopen travel bubble with Victoria (Australia) from June 23

This week, Victoria recorded zero new locally transmitted cases of the coronavirus which allowed New Zealand to make the decision of reopening its paused travel bubble with the Southeast side of Australia.

Effective June 22 at 11:59 pm local time, the two-week quarantine requirement will be lifted.

“It has been determined that the risk to public health in New Zealand continues to decrease and, at this time, public health officials consider it unlikely there is further widespread community transmission in the state,” says the New Zealand Government in a statement.

(Source: 7News)

June 3 – New Zealand to open quarantine-free travel bubbles with several Pacific Islands soon.

New Zealand and Australia are reportedly discussing the possible expansion of their existing quarantine-free Trans-Tasman travel arrangement to include a number of Pacific Islands. It would include New Caledonia, Tahiti, Fiji and Tonga for now.

Prime Ministers Jacinda Ardern and Scott Morrison met in Queenstown last week to join efforts on a Australian trade dispute with China, and also to discuss the future of travel in a post-pandemic world.

“We are very focused on supporting our Pacific family, and the idea of a bubble that goes beyond New Zealand and Australia is a real possibility,” said Morrison to reporters.

What none of the ministers mentioned was the potential date of the travel bubbles launching.

Source: Government of Australia

May 18 – New Zealand to enhance its travel bubble agreement with the Cook Islands

Starting today the one-way travel corridor first opened in January that only benefited Cook Islands citizens, will also be opened to New Zealanders.

The Cook Islands is a nation in the South Pacific made up of 15 islands scattered over a vast area of the Pacific Ocean. So far, the country has reported 0 COVID-19 cases and, subsequently, 0 deaths to the virus.

Being the second biggest Pacific market to Auckland Airport, general manager Scott Tasker, considers this will be a great boost to the Cook Islands economy whose GDP mostly relies on international tourism.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern wants to return the favor to the Islands. So, in case of an outbreak, she is likely to immediately repatriate citizens rather than asking them to stay on the islands -as they do with Australia- “to reduce pressure on the Cook Islands and minimize further spread of the virus.”

March 5

New Zealand’s Prime Minister has said that the country will need to reach herd immunity levels through vaccination before any foreigners are allowed to visit. Australian neighbors who have similar low contagion levels could be the first to benefit from the measure as they advance on the vaccination of their own population. (Source)

Who can enter New Zealand now?

New Zealand is only allowing tourists from Australia and the Cook Islands. Other people permitted to enter the country, either by air or sea, are those who belong in the following categories:

Citizens and permanent residents of New Zealand. Some exemptions may be made for non-permanent residents
Partners and dependent children of citizens and residents
Those who hold a diplomatic post in New Zealand
All citizens and residents of Australia
All citizens from the Cook Islands

Other exemptions may be made for critical health and humanitarian workers, for citizens of Australia who normally live in New Zealand, for Samoans and Tongans under some circumstances, and for those with student visas under some circumstances.

For those who enter the country, a Covid-19 test is mandated as is a 14-day quarantine.

Can Americans visit New Zealand?

Unless they belong to one of the categories above, U.S. citizens are not allowed entry in New Zealand.

Is it safe to visit New Zealand?

New Zealand is one of the safest places to visit during COVID-19 due to its low infection rates. The level of warning by CDC is only 1 which means the risk is very low. (CDC.gov).

COVID-19 situation in New Zealand

The Lowy Institute’s COVID Performance Index has ranked New Zealand as the world’s most effective COVID-19 pandemic handler.

So far, the country has recorded only 2,742 cases and 26 deaths.

Why do tourists love New Zealand?

New Zealand is a nature-lovers paradise. It has beautiful beaches and offshore islands as well as subtropical forests, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, lakes, fjords, volcanoes, hot springs, beautiful rolling hills, and areas of flat plains.

There is so much diversity here for those who love nature, not only in terms of the landscape but also in terms of the flora and fauna.

New Zealand is home to plant and animal species, such as the kiwi, that can be found nowhere else. This small, flightless bird has become New Zealand’s national symbol and the friendly natives also often call themselves Kiwis. There are also unique plants such as the ancient, towering kauri trees and the nikau palms.

The country has an inviting camper culture for those who want to set out and explore all of these natural wonders on their own. The roads are well marked and towns all have information centers to advise tourists. There is also a bus network if you don’t want to drive.

There is ample opportunity for outdoor adventure as well. Bungee jumping was invented here and there are many locations where adventurers can give it a try, as well as places to go surfing, skiing, kayaking, and sailing. Visitors can take a hot-air balloon ride over Hobbiton, where the Lord of the Rings was filmed, or explore mammoth caves, as well.

Travelers can also check out the distinctive Maori culture, or try some world-class wine. Because the country is so sparsely populated, it has a very friendly, small-town feel once you leave Auckland, which is the largest city, and the best place to find diversity. Fans of ethnic restaurants will definitely want to spend some time there.

New Zealand has taken halting the spread of the coronavirus seriously. Because of its strict measures, the country is now operating as normal, for the most part.

However, the government remains vigilant so that, for the time being, travel into this island nation is severely limited. When it does open up, however, it provides much to attract those who love adventure, nature, and distinctive culture.

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