New Zealand have eased their travel restrictions further as they lift the barrier for 50 countries.
For the first time in two years, travellers from the UK are able to visit New Zealand as they move into their next stage of lifting restrictions.
New Zealand followed strict covid rules in an attempt to fight the virus. After closing off the country for over a year, the government announced they would open the border again in a five-step plan.
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The first flight of international visitors landed on Monday, with many enjoying a reunion with family and friends.
Since March, only citizens of New Zealand were allowed to enter, while Australians were allowed in from April.
According to Travel Weekly, over three million tourists visited the country prior to Covid, making up around 20 per cent of the country’s foreign income and more than five per cent of the overall economy.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that since it was announced the borders would be open for international travel, 90,000 people had booked flights and 21 international flights were scheduled for Auckland on Monday.
New Zealand entry requirements
According to Gov.uk, all travellers need to complete a Traveller Declaration and will be issued a New Zealand Traveller Pass before travelling to New Zealand.
Travellers will need to provide:
- Passport details
- Flight information
- Proof of vaccination
- Proof of a negative pre-departure test (PDT)
- Travel history for 14 days prior to arriving in New Zealand
- Contact details in New Zealand
- Emergency contact details.
Those who are not fully vaccinated can only enter under certain circumstances. This includes;
- A New Zealand Citizen
- Aged 16 years and under
- Cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons - you will need electronic or paper evidence from a medical practitioner
- A refugee arriving in New Zealand for the first time
- A citizen of Afghanistan and you have been evacuated
- Are arriving from Antarctica
