Based on current information from the New Zealand Government, the New Zealand border will gradually reopen in 5 steps over the next few months. 

If you are a fully vaccinated traveller coming into New Zealand, you will not have to enter into a managed isolation facility.  However you will be required to follow all health and self-isolation requirements. It is likely that there will be penalties imposed for non-compliance.

Health and self-isolation requirements:

You must be fully vaccinated (two injections is defined as fully vaccinated although this could possibly change in the future to include current applicable boosters) and provide a negative pre-departure test upon arrival.   Once you arrive you will be required to self-isolate for 10 days, however this is likely to change to 7 days.

At the airport upon arrival you will be provided with 3 rapid antigen tests. You must take one on your first day of isolation and another one on day 5/6.  The third test is a spare.  If you test positive, you must take a PCR test at a location specified by the Ministry of Health or relevant authority.

Given the unpredictable nature of the pandemic, any of this information could change at short notice.

Step 1: From 11.59pm, Sunday 27 February 2022

New Zealand citizens and other eligible travellers arriving from Australia will be able to return to New Zealand without having to go through managed isolation.  They will instead have to self-isolate at home upon arrival.

Other eligible travellers:

  • New Zealand permanent residents or resident visa holders
  • Australian citizens or permanent resident visa holders if New Zealand is your primary place of residence.
  • People with border exemptions as well as those exempt from border entry restrictions such as diplomats and air crew.
  • Partners, dependent children or parents of a dependent child who holds a visa based on their relationship to a New Zealand citizen or resident and is ordinarily a resident in New Zealand

Step 2: From 11.59pm, Sunday 13 March 2022

All eligible travellers under the previous steps will be able to enter New Zealand and self-isolate upon arrival.  At this step the borders will also open to:

  • Those on eligible working holiday schemes (timings to be announced)
  • Critical workers who earn above NZD $84,240 a year or NZD $40.50 an hour.

Step 3: From 11:59pm, 12 April 2022

All eligible travellers under the previous steps will be able to enter New Zealand and self-isolate upon arrival. At this step the borders will also open to:

  • Current offshore temporary visa holders with a valid visa who can still meet their visa requirements
  • International students who will be studying in semester 2 (up to 5000 maximum students)

Step 4: From July 2022 (specific date yet to be confirmed)

All eligible travellers under the previous steps will be able to enter New Zealand and self-isolate upon arrival.  At this step the borders will also open to:

  • Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and other foreign nationals travelling from Australia
  • Visitors from visa-waiver countries
  • Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders.

Step 5: From October 2022 (specific date yet to be confirmed)

All travellers who hold a valid entry visa will be able to enter New Zealand.  It is yet to be confirmed if travellers will be required to self-isolate at this stage due to the length of time until October 2022.

It is important that all arriving travellers follow all the latest requirements set by the New Zealand Government.  Non-compliance may result in you being fined, or deported if you are not a citizen or resident. d

You may also be required to spend the rest of your isolation period in a managed isolation facility at your own expense if you do not follow the guidelines. 

Leading law firms committed to helping clients cost-effectively will have a range of fixed-price Initial Consultations to suit most people’s needs in quickly learning what their options are.  At Rainey Collins we have an experienced team who can answer your questions and put you on the right track.

Shaun Cousins

Associate Solicitor

Rainey Collins