New Zealand Customs is undertaking an investigation into whether the Ruby Princess cruise ship committed an offence while it was in the country in March, the Prime Minister has revealed.
Jacinda Ardern made the announcement on Monday at her weekly post-Cabinet press conference.
The Ruby Princess visited Australian and New Zealand ports in mid-March and it allowed passengers to disembark the ship in Sydney after many fell ill. COVID-19 ripped through the ship while it was sailing between the two countries, and 16 cases in Hawke's Bay are linked to the cruise after it docked in Napier on March 14.
Ardern says there is no timeline on the investigation.
"What they're seeking to do through that investigation is to establish whether any offences have been committed because, of course, the visit is governed under the Customs and Excise Act. Other than that, I can't say anymore, it's really a matter for Customs to continue," she says.
In Australian, 21 COVID-19 deaths and about one in 10 confirmed cases are linked to the cruise.
Police there have launched an investigation into the virus-related deaths from the ship to determine whose "negligence" and "culpability" led to them.
