New Zealand fans; rejoice. Aotearoa, the “Land of the Long White Cloud,” on Monday fully opened its borders to visitor from the around the world.
It’s the first time borders have been fully open since the government slammed the door on visits in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Travel restrictions began to ease in February for New Zealanders, and then were gradually opened for others. As of today, visitors who need visas and those with student visas can enter the country, as can cruise ship passengers and foreign recreational yachts.
CTV and Reuters report that most visitors arriving in New Zealand still need to be vaccinated against COVID and must take two COVID tests after arriving. However, there are no quarantine requirements.
Mount Maunganui, New Zealand. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called it an “enormous moment”, adding it was part of a “cautious process,” The Saudi Gazette reports.
“We, alongside the rest of the world, continue to manage a very live global pandemic, while keeping our people safe,” Ardern said in Auckland on Monday. “But keeping people safe extends to incomes and wellbeing too.”
Air New Zealand is currently flying between Vancouver and Auckland. Air Canada has said it will re-start its Vancouver-Auckland route on November 10.
Here’s a story I wrote about a visit to the South Island a few years ago: https://jimbyerstravel.com/2016/04/11/wonderful-wine-and-incredible-scenery-in-marlborough-region-of-new-zealand/
And also a story about the Bay of Plenty: https://jimbyerstravel.com/2016/03/29/plenty-to-love-and-lots-of-action-in-new-zealands-bay-of-plenty/
Okay, and one about Rotorua: https://jimbyerstravel.com/2016/03/28/a-great-mountain-bike-event-and-plenty-of-natural-beauty-in-rotorua-new-zealand/
Fine, one more about Hobbiton and the movie set: https://jimbyerstravel.com/2016/03/20/a-fantastic-tour-of-hobbiton-a-great-new-zealand-movie-treat/
