[Updated 2 March 2022]
From 11:59pm 4 March 2022
Vaccinated returning kiwis can enter New Zealand from anywhere in the world and do not need to self-isolate or enter MIQ. People with boarder exceptions (including critical health workers) also do not need to self-isolate or enter MIQ.
Travellers must meet New Zealand’s health requirement before they travel:
- Provide a negative COVID-19 pre-departure test: Get a pre-departure test
- Meet vaccination requirements
- Do 2 rapid antigen tests (RATs) on Day 0/1 and Day 5/6 and declare your results
- All positive RATs must be registered and followed up with a PCR test.
5-step plan to re-open New Zealand borders
[Updated 4 February 2022]
New Zealand border to reopen in stages from 27 February.
The New Zealand border will reopen to vaccinated Kiwis and other current eligible travellers from Australia at 11.59pm on 27 February and to the same groups from the rest of the world only two weeks later on 13 March (Step 2). People with boarder exceptions will be considered eligible, which would include critical health workers. Travellers will be required to home-isolate for 10days but isolation requirements will be kept under constant review. Read the full release.
[Updated 1 February 2022]
Government’s three-step approach to Omicron has been announced.
New Zealand is currently in the first phase. “If you are required to isolate, you will receive advice and – if needed – support to do so; at this phase you will need to isolate for 14 days if you are a case, and 10 days if you are contact.” – Find out more.
Paediatric vaccine is available for children aged 5 to 11.
[Updated 25 January 2022]
All of New Zealand is now in the Red Covid-19 Framework setting with the news announced that Omicron is likely spreading in the community. Life at Red
The government is due tomorrow to reveal its phased approach of dealing with Omicron. Follow the latest news on RNZ News.
[Updated 21 December 2021 ]
International travel
Cabinet has decided to push back the self-isolation date for travellers from Australia from 17 January to the end of February 2022. The current MIQ stay of seven days in a facility will also be extended to 10 days. Pre-departure test requirement to enter NZ will be reduced from 72 hours to 48 hours before travel.
Change in vaccine booster timeframes
Cabinet has agreed to reduce the interval between the second Pfizer dose and booster shot from six to four months. The shorter timeframe starts in early January.
This will mean about 82 per cent of those already double vaccinated will be eligible for a booster shot before the Government looks to reopen the borders at the end of February.
Vaccine rollout for 5 – 11 year olds confirmed
The rollout will begin from 17 January 2022. It will not be mandatory for children to be vaccinated and there are no vaccination targets set for this cohort. They will also not be brought into the vaccine pass framework.
[Updated 15 December 2021 ]
Auckland border is open and people can travel into and out of Auckland for any reason; however, people must follow some restrictions to leave Auckland.
When leaving Auckland, no matter how long you have been inside the boundary:
- you must have your My Vaccine Pass with you, or
- you must carry evidence of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before crossing the boundary.
International travel
From January 2022, fully vaccinated New Zealanders can begin travelling to New Zealand without entering MIQ – read more.
Traffic lights
From 11:59pm on Thursday, 30 December, the following regions will move to Orange: Auckland, Taupō, Rotorua Lakes, Kawerau, Whakatane, Ōpōtiki, Gisborne, Wairoa, Rangitikei, Whanganui and Ruapehu districts.
Northland will remain at Red. The next review will be in the week of 17 January 2022.
[Updated 3 December 2021 ]
New Zealand is now in the COVID-19 Protection Framework, also known as the traffic light system.
Find your local traffic light setting.
Life under traffic light system.
[Updated 12 October 2021 ]
Auckland, Northland and Waikato are in Alert Level 3.
[Updated 5 October 2021]
Auckland remains at Alert Level 3, but some restrictions will ease. The prime minister has set out a three-stage roadmap to easing restrictions and has outlined what will change from 11.59pm on Tuesday 5 October. North West Waikato remains in Alert Level 3. The rest of New Zealand remains in Alert Level 2.
[Updated 21 September 2021]
Auckland will move to Alert Level 3 for two weeks at 11:59pm on Tuesday 21 September. The rest of New Zealand will remain at Alert Level 2.
[ Updated 7 September 2021 ]
Auckland remains at Alert Level 4. The rest of New Zealand will move to Alert Level 2 at 11:59pm on Tuesday 7 September. This will be reviewed by the Government on Monday 13 September.
[ Updated 18 August 2021 ]
All of New Zealand is at Alert Level 4
A Covid-19 case had been found in the community in Auckland on 17 August 2021. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced an alert-level 4 lockdown starting at 11.59pm on 17 August for seven days in Auckland and Coromandel, and three days elsewhere.
Find out more information and updates on the COVID-19 website.
Follow the latest news on RNZ News.
Useful links:
The Ministry of Health website has a dedicated COVID-19 website
The Royal New Zealand College of GPs has dedicated resources on their website.