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New Zealand ready to reopen to Australian travellers from April 12

The New Zealand Herald is reporting this morning that fully vaccinated tourists will be allowed into New Zealand sooner than expected, with those from Australia set to arrive without the need for managed or self-isolation from 11.59pm on April 12.

The New Zealand Herald is reporting this morning that fully vaccinated tourists will be allowed into New Zealand sooner than expected, with those from Australia set to arrive without the need for managed or self-isolation from 11.59pm on April 12.

In a story published this morning in the national publication, The Herald said it understands visitors from other countries with which New Zealand has visa waiver arrangements (like the United Kingdom) will also be able to come here within weeks of that, followed by visitors from all other countries.

April 12 is already the same date that has already been set for the return of international students and temporary visa holders.

Originally, travellers from Australia and visa-waiver countries would not be allowed back into New Zealand quarantine-free before July, though no specific date had been decided.

Visitors from the rest of the world were to be allowed in from October.

These dates will be all officially brought forward by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today, sources told the Herald on Tuesday.

Hui Kaihāpai New Zealand
Hui Kaihāpai New Zealand. Image: Tourism New Zealand

On Monday morning, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told TVNZ an announcement would be made this week for a new reopening schedule that will end most COVID-19 border restrictions.

“Australians generally were due to come in in July, visa waiver countries as well thereafter. We’re looking to bring those forward because we believe we can safely do so,” she said.

“We’ll be looking to make announcements on the timeframe of that this week.”

Ms Ardern’s government committed to a five-step border reopening strategy last month but junked the plan shortly after when Omicron cases began to rise.

“We’ve been gradually reopening in the safest way possible,” Ms Ardern said.

Stand by for the formal announcement from PM Jacinda Ardern today and more details.