Border closures and exceptions
 

Hi,

Has anyone had recent experience of travelling to NZ and applying for an exception? We are currently based in the UK and are looking to spend Christmas/Summer holidays in NZ with family there as we have experienced a bereavement this year and want to be together. I am a NZ citizen so I understand the border closure doesn't apply to me even though I'm not a resident. My wife is British/former Australian Permanent Resident and my children are dual British/Australian, do I have to apply for exceptions for them? What about my mother-in-law (British citizen), would she be eligible for an exception?

I'm aware of the 14 day quarantine requirement which we are willing to do to prevent bringing COVID into NZ.

Thanks.

Re: Border closures and exceptions
 

Best to take advice from official sources:

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/abou...New%20Zealand.

It seems your wife and any kids under 19 can travel without exception, if they already have visas due to relationship with you and provided thet have already travelled to NZ before on said visas. I believe they would need to be able to demonstrate critical purpose to travel.

I don't really fancy your chances of gaining an exception but of course things may change. There's many heartbreaking stories in the media with people having applied and been declined multiple times. Quarantine accommodation is also said to be maxed out and a lot of talk also in this space about charging incoming folks to pay for the 14 days accommodation and testing.

Re: Border closures and exceptions
 

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-ad...y-requirements

I think you may be allowed in although I think it goes against the intention of the ruling as only you are a returning kiwi, and you are not actually returning are you. You would be using your status to bring in others with the intention of having a holiday.

Re: Border closures and exceptions
 

Thank you both for those links, that answers my question then.

I'll keep checking those websites for any updates between now and the end of the year, but I doubt anything will change.

Australia has already started passing on the costs for quarantining to visitors so I suspect NZ will do the same soon.

Re: Border closures and exceptions
 

$3000 per adult from October, which I feel is grossly unfair

Re: Border closures and exceptions
 

I was able to get an exemption to get back to Nz (I'm Australian) and an essential health worker and already a resident in Nz but got locked down in Oz when I went there for work experience before this all escalated in March. I had to apply to leave Oz as our borders are still closed as well.

I chose to stay in Oz until the Trans Tasman bubble eventually re opens as my adult daughters live in Oz and I want to be able to move freely over the Tasman as I previously did as I'm their only parent.

I had to give up my rental and job but Nz isn't going anywhere, as frustrating as it is..

Re: Border closures and exceptions
 

I think Qld has already started, must ask my sister as she lives there.

It's very exxy...

Re: Border closures and exceptions
 

Do you think its fare that taxpayers in New Zealand whom already had to pay for their own isolation in level 4 lockdown, now also pay for your isolation? I think its very fare to be honest.

Re: Border closures and exceptions
 

Most states are already charging people entering Australia, not just visitors, but everyone. Qld was the first, they started weeks ago. Some states are also charging for quarantine when crossing state borders.

https://uk.embassy.gov.au/lhlh/covid19faq.html#states

Re: Border closures and exceptions
 

I thought as much. I won't be going anywhere until I go back to Nz later on..not sure I want to at this stage!

Re: Border closures and exceptions
 

I must say that I also think it fair to charge however I feel the charge to be somewhat steep. It isn't fair for the taxpayers to continue to shoulder the burden of this. Those that seek to enter after many years away and who will likely leave again or those seeking to travel in for purposes other than settling should pay their own way as a part of the travel costs. Those that are trying to repatriate permanently and who have been held up for some reason should not have to pay I feel .

As I understand it the border closure applies to everyone at the moment. All must do the 14 days of managed quarantine and quite rightly so imo. The OP has stated they are happy to do the two weeks upon entry to NZ. Question for him is the 2 weeks possible quarantine upon returning to his country of residence.

Re: Border closures and exceptions
 

When I do get back to the good old South Island I'll pay if that's required but it's different for me as I'm single and it's just little old me (not sure when miss 19 is/if coming) but I can understand it's quite hefty for a family..

Re: Border closures and exceptions
 

So decision has been made today $3100 per room and $950 for each extra adult and $475 per child - returning permanent residents and citizens intending to stay longer than 90 days or intending permanent settlement back in NZ will not pay. However, anyone who leaves NZ from now onwards and comes back will pay.

Re: Border closures and exceptions
 

Thanks for the link Bo Jangles 😊

Re: Border closures and exceptions
 

I am a NZ resident of 12 years, an essential worker right through the covid process and NZ tax payer I have not left NZ or seeking to return.
i still feel it is unfair to charge for isolation without back dating it and charging EVERY ONE who has returned since March

Re: Border closures and exceptions
 

So then why are taxpayers (already in NZ) not entitled to the same benefit? We had to fork out our own hard earned cash to pay to keep ourselves in isolation during lock down.

Re: Border closures and exceptions
 

I think it's fair enough to start charging certain people in certain situations who are returning. There isn't an unlimited pot of money and quarantine is going to be needed for many months. For those who do not have to return and are simply doing it because the COVID situation is better in NZ than where they currently are, then too right they should pay or stay where they are.

Re: Border closures and exceptions
 

Speaking from the viewpoint of someone who works in the coordination centre for the COVID response in Queensland, one of the reasons that the charge is so high is because that is what the quarantine providers - ie the hotels - charge the government. The government has undertaken to use only high end hotels, so that they have a reasonable room size, and good expectations for service delivery. That means that the room coasts are fairly high as most of the places used are 4 or 5 star. The rate being charged to the public for room and board is pretty much the same rate that the government was paying for each room originally. So unless the government continues to subsidise the travellers, thats the rate they have to pass on.

Re: Border closures and exceptions
 

What, by staying at home. ??
How did that run up any bills
I ended up saving a shitload of money
​​​​​​

Re: Border closures and exceptions
 

What I can't understand is why NZ has closed borders with other Australian states that don't have community transmission such as WA and Tasmania. It makes no sense

Re: Border closures and exceptions
 

Because we can never trust the under arm bowling Australians

Re: Border closures and exceptions
 

Have you seen the news in Oz lately? Too many sneaky buggers including the two girls lying when arriving in Qld and super spreading everywhere. Can't be trusted.

And I'm saying this as an Ozzie stuck in Australia because of idiots like them..

Re: Border closures and exceptions
 

🤣🤣