In a pre-empted move, tourists and visa-holders from the rest of the world will be allowed back from 11.59pm on 31 July, months before the original date set for October.
“This will be welcome news for families, businesses and our migrant communities,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Wednesday.
“It also provides certainty and good preparation time for airlines and cruise ship companies planning a return to New Zealand in the peak spring and summer seasons.”
Announcing the reforms via video-link, the prime minister, who is isolating at home after her partner contracted Covid, said it was time to reconnect with the globe.
“We have come through the Covid shock better than almost anywhere in the developed world. Our economy is one of the strongest in the world,” Ardern said.
“New Zealand is in demand and now fully open for business.”
- Prime Minister Ardern
Meanwhile, Covid cases and hospitalisations across Australia and New Zealand look like this:
Western Australia
- New cases: 17,033
- Covid-related deaths: 3
- Hospital and ICU admissions: 275 / 7
Northern Territory
- New cases: 340
- Covid-related deaths: 0
- Hospital and ICU admissions: 27 / 0
Australian Capital Territory
- New cases: 1,242
- Covid-related deaths: 2
- Hospital and ICU admissions: 76 / 4
Queensland
- New cases: 7,427
- Covid-related deaths: 10
- Hospital and ICU admissions: 459 / 14
New South Wales
- New cases: 12,265
- Covid-related deaths: 11
- Hospital and ICU admissions: 1,452 / 48
Victoria
- New cases: 13,973
- Covid-related deaths: 17
- Hospital and ICU admissions: 533 / 33
South Australia
- New cases: 4,299
- Covid-related deaths: 8
- Hospital and ICU admissions: 232 / 7
Tasmania
- New cases: 1,058
- Covid-related deaths: 0
- Hospital and ICU admissions: 48 / 1
New Zealand
- New cases: 7,970
- Covid-related deaths: 28
- Hospital and ICU admissions: 381 / 10
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