A Kiwi living in London says the high cost of managed isolation means his family is unable to visit relatives in New Zealand for Christmas.
The Government introduced charges for a narrow group of Kiwis on Wednesday. The charges are $3100 per person, $950 for each additional adult and $475 for each additional child sharing the room.
Richard Keane, his partner, and three-year-old son were planning to return home for Christmas, but the high costs make him feel as though Kiwis overseas are no longer welcome in New Zealand.
"This whole thing has made me feel there's a massive lack of what we call manaakitanga, which is support, supporting one another," he said.
He said he'd need upwards of $16,500 to return to New Zealand.
Keane is heavily involved in promoting Māori culture in London and is often used at official Government events. It's the same Government he feels has abandoned him.
"Sometimes we're used as a point of convenience, but when it comes to other issues we want to address we're ignored."
Johanna MacDonald, another Kiwi in the UK, said her visa allowing her to live there is about to expire, but to renew it she needs to return to New Zealand.
"I just feel more like an alien. I don't have an identity anymore. That's what it feels like."
The 26-year-old would be forced to pay nearly $20,000 in total to renew her visa.
"I feel like I'll cry. It's really heartbreaking and there are people in worse situations."
The COVID-19 Public Health Response Amendment Bill - the legislation that will allow the Government to charge for managed isolation and quarantine - was introduced to Parliament on Wednesday.
