Two years since shutting off its borders from the rest of the world, New Zealand has finally announced its plans for reopening its borders for international travel on Thursday.

It was announced that Kiwis and other travellers — predominantly those with an exemption — from Australia who had been fully vaccinated will be allowed entry to the country from 11:59 pm on February 27.

Meanwhile, the same groups who will be departing from elsewhere in the world will be able to enter New Zealand on March 13.

All arrivals will skip hotel quarantine but are expected to self-isolate for seven or 10 days.

Additionally, travellers from Australia will be exempted from quarantine starting July, while the nation's border is expected to be “fully reopen to visitors from anywhere in the world” by October.

However, unvaccinated travellers will still be required to undergo hotel quarantine.


COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said in a statement now is the right time for New Zealanders to "reconnect with one another".

Mr Hipkins wrote: “This is a very carefully developed plan that replaces MIQ for the vast majority of travellers while ensuring we maintain ongoing measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community from recent arrivals."

“With 94 per cent of our population fully vaccinated, and 92 per cent of those over 18 now eligible for a booster by the end of February, it’s time to shift gears in our COVID-19 response to focus on reconnection and recovery."

“Families and friends need to reunite. Our businesses need skills to grow. Exporters need to travel to make new connections.”

Three rapid antigen tests (RATs) will be provided to travellers who enter the country — one for use on the first day of arrival, one for use on the fifth day, and one to be used as a spare.

“This approach means we will continue to identify cases that enter through the border and limit their wider contact with the community,” Mr Hipkins said.


New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern delivered a televised speech on Thursday following the announcement of border reopening.

In her speech, PM Ardern spoke about the five-stage plan for New Zealand to “reopen to the world”, saying that she understands that the country's Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) system had been “heartbreaking” for many, but it “undeniably saved lives.”

Ms Ardern said: “MIQ meant not everyone could come home when they wanted to, but it also meant COVID could not come in whenever it wanted to either."

“And that’s meant we’ve been able to build our defences to become one of the most vaccinated countries in the world.”


New Zealand is notably the only country across the globe that prohibits its citizens stranded overseas from returning back home.

The announcement marks the end of months of misery for New Zealanders who were separated from their families.

Are you considering taking any international trips this year (to NZ or elsewhere), or will you be waiting until 2023 to see how things pan out?