New Zealand Lifted Most of its Pandemic Border Restrictions

For the first time in more than two years, international visitors from more than 50 countries, including the United Kingdom, can visit New Zealand after the government lifted most of its pandemic border restrictions.

For the first time since the country closed its international border in early 2020, overseas tourists who have been vaccinated have been allowed to enter.

Prior to the Covid issue, more than three million visitors visited New Zealand each year, contributing for 20% of the country’s foreign income and 5% of the entire GDP.

In the seven weeks after the reopening was announced, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said more than 90,000 people had booked flights to New Zealand, with 21 international flights set to land in Auckland yesterday.

Ardern told the New Zealand Morning Report that while returning to pre-pandemic tourist levels will take time, it was past time for some tourist destinations to be managed differently than they had been in the past.

She ruled out a tourist cap, claiming that it was all about regulating experiences.

Businesses are in talks with officials, according to Ardern, “We are offering a quality experience for tourists”.

“And there are parts of the country, particularly our natural environment, where people came to enjoy it and let’s be honest, it was heavily congested, and in some parts not necessarily offering what we would have expected as a nation,” she said.

“So Milford is an example of where there’s been some work together with the local community and tourism operators around how to ensure that the experience there has the lowest impact possible and is a high-quality experience.”

Tourism minister Stuart Nash, who greeted arrivals at the airport, said: “People haven’t seen each other for a long, long time – family and friends.

“Today is a day to celebrate, and is a big moment in our reconnection with the world.”

In anticipation of ports in Australia and New Zealand fully welcoming cruise ships back, Holland America Line has launched tickets for a season of new itineraries by Westerdam.
The new sailings, which will run from September 25 to March 13 next year, will visit both countries as well as Southeast Asia.

After an extended Alaska season, the ship will reposition to conduct itineraries from Sydney or between Sydney and Auckland.

Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer, said: “The pent-up demand for cruises to Australia and New Zealand led us to the decision that it would be valuable to have Westerdam sail these unique itineraries that include some uncommon ports for us.

“We have the utmost optimism that the entire region will be back to cruising come fall, and our guests have been waiting two years to take their dream cruise.

“These new itineraries give guests a lot to choose from as they explore this part of the world.”