Is Changes in Int’l Border Restrictions Ease Travel to New Zealand?

During a news conference on Nov. 24, COVID-19 response minister Chris Hipkins explained that fully vaccinated people, residents, and tourists will be allowed to enter the country in three phases.

On Jan. 16, 2022, the border will be accessible to New Zealand citizens and residents traveling from neighboring Australia, before opening education to the rest of the world on Feb. 13.

From April 30, fully vaccinated travelers from all other nations, with the exception of those designated “high risk,” higher education are welcome to visit the Pacific Island nation.

New Zealand takes a phased approach to reconnect with the rest of the world in the safest way possible to minimize risk. It lessens the likelihood of negative consequences for disadvantaged communities and the New Zealand health system.

As an update on this, the dates are changing somewhat. The website at https://covid19.govt.nz/international-travel/travel-to-new-zealand/ has an interactive wizard to let you know when you’ll be able to travel there, using a few factors (your nationality, your vaccination status, etc.) to let you know when you can go.

As of today (February 15th), a vaccinated American “can self-isolate on arrival from July 2022”.