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Australia-New Zealand travel resumes

New Zealand’s airports will be the scene of celebration and reunification as the trans-Tasman bubble opens, with 25 flights from Australia set to cross the ditch today.

 

Apr 19, 2021, updated Apr 19, 2021
(AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi)

(AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi)

For the first time in more than a year, Australian travellers will today be able to enter New Zealand without the need to quarantine for a fortnight.

That handbrake on travel will mean thousands of Kiwis and Australians take the opportunity to travel, welcomed by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

“It is truly exciting to start quarantine-free travel with Australia,” Ardern said.

“Be it returning family, friends or holiday makers, New Zealand says welcome and enjoy yourself.

“The bubble marks a significant step in both countries’ reconnection with the world and it’s one we should all take a moment to be very proud of.”

New Zealand’s relaxation of border rules comes six months after Australia began to open up to Kiwi travellers; a move started by NSW and the Northern Territory and which now extends to all states and mainland territories.

In a joint statement, Ardern and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Pacific was next.

“Australia and New Zealand are also exploring opportunities to extend quarantine-free travel to other countries in the Pacific, when it is safe to do so, reflecting our close ties to the Pacific and our commitment to supporting their recovery,” the statement read.

Kiwis have been wary of the resumption of quarantine-free travel, with many fearful of opening borders to other countries after adopting a ‘Fortress New Zealand’ mentality through the pandemic.

Business and the tourism industry are desperate for international travel to recommence, given its importance to the economy.

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The New Zealand government is yet to launch a marketing campaign to try and coax Aussies to Aotearoa, but will do so within weeks.

Australia has not wasted any time beginning its own promotional work, spending $A3.1 million on a campaign encouraging Kiwis to ‘Be The First’ visitors.

On Sunday, Auckland’s Sky Tower – New Zealand’s tallest building – was illuminated in green and gold in a welcoming gesture for Australia.

Today, 25 flights – from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Gold Coast – will land at New Zealand’s four international airports, with most heading to Auckland.

The first to land was a non-advertised Qantas flight, which news outlet Stuff reported arrived at Auckland minutes after midnight, carrying crew for later flights.

The first commercial flights into Auckland and Wellington will be met by celebrations organised by airport management.

Auckland airport has been segregated into a green zone for quarantine-free travel, and a red zone for flights from higher risk countries.

-AAP

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