The Government has revealed a date for its new stringent border controls.
Minister for the COVID-19 response Chris Hipkins announced from Monday, January 25 all travellers will need to have evidence of a negative test result from within a 72 hour period before their flight departed.
This is in addition to spending two weeks in managed isolation upon arrival in the country.
Hipkins said on Tuesday the new restrictions are an extra measure to keep New Zealand safe.
"Given the high rates of infection in many countries, most global air routes are of critical concern for the foreseeable future
"New Zealand is currently in a good position with no community cases, but we continue to take action with very specific steps to further strengthen our borders in response to what we're seeing overseas."
There are exceptions however - arrivals from Australia, Antarctica and most Pacific Islands will not need to provide a negative test result.
From 8 February, all passengers arriving in New Zealand except those from exempted countries without evidence of a negative approved test or medical certificate will incur an infringement offence fee or a fine not exceeding $1000.
