The Government has announced the phased border reopening plan will be brought forward to April, with vaccinated Aussies able to return from April 13.
Tourists from other visa-waiver countries can return from May 2, the Prime Minister says.
The Ministry of Health has also announced there are 19,542 new cases in the community as well as 971 people in hospital. Twenty-four new deaths are being reported among people with COVID-19, eight of whom died on Tuesday. The remainder died over the past three weeks and have only just been reported to the ministry by local authorities.
What you need to know:
- Australian tourists will be able to return to New Zealand from April 13 and others from visa-waiver countries from May 2. The tourists will need to be vaccinated and take a number of pre-departure and arrival tests.
- There were 19,542 new COVID-19 cases recorded on Wednesday.
- Location of new community cases (PCR & RAT): Northland (661), Auckland (5,318), Waikato (1,834), Bay of Plenty (1,347), Lakes (584), Hawke’s Bay (1,049), MidCentral (802), Whanganui (231), Taranaki (663), Tairāwhiti (370), Wairarapa (208), Capital and Coast (1,308), Hutt Valley (780), Nelson Marlborough (487), Canterbury (2,385), South Canterbury (184), Southern (1,203), West Coast (30); Unknown (7)
- Number of new cases identified at the border: 35
- There are 971 people in hospital, including 21 in ICU
- Average age of current hospitalisations: 57
- Locations of hospitalisations: Northland: 25; North Shore: 174; Middlemore: 243; Auckland: 205; Waikato: 73; Bay of Plenty: 39; Lakes: 13; Tairāwhiti: 2, Hawke’s Bay: 30; Taranaki: 14; MidCentral: 19; Hutt Valley: 26; Capital and Coast: 39; Wairarapa: 5; Nelson Marlborough: 12; Canterbury: 37; South Canterbury: 2; Southern: 13.
These live updates are now over.
1:45pm - Vaccinations administered in New Zealand
- Vaccines administered to date: 4,023,296 first doses; 3,969,783 second doses; 34,266 third primary doses; 2,528,179 booster doses: 255,045 paediatric first doses and 15,673 paediatric second doses
- Vaccines administered yesterday: 331 first doses; 576 second doses; 33 third primary doses; 5,484 booster doses; 381 paediatric first doses and 3,889 paediatric second doses
People vaccinated
- All Ethnicities (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 4,069,661 first dose (96.7%); 4,013,004 second dose (95.3%), 2,529,830 boosted (72.8% of those eligible)
- Māori (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 521,180 first dose (91.3%); 502,457 second dose (88%), 222,277 boosted (59.3% of those eligible)
- Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 281,743 first dose (98.3%); 276,225 second dose (96.4%), 132,788 boosted (59.7% of those eligible)
- 5 to 11-year-olds all ethnicities: 254,656 first dose (53.5%); 15,363 second dose (3.2%)
- 5 to 11-year-olds - Māori: 39,457 first dose (34.1%); 1,959 second dose (1.7%)
- 5 to 11-year-olds - Pacific Peoples: 22,868 first dose (46.3%); 1,139 second dose (2.3%)
Note that the number for “People vaccinated” differs slightly from “Vaccines administered” as it includes those that have been vaccinated overseas.
Vaccination rates for all DHBs*
- Northland DHB: first dose (90.5%); second dose (88.2%); boosted (70%)
- Auckland Metro DHB: first dose (97.5%); second dose (96.3%); boosted (70.8%)
- Waikato DHB: first dose (95.5%); second dose (93.8%); boosted (68.6%)
- Bay of Plenty DHB: first dose (95.4%); second dose (93.6%); boosted (69.1%)
- Lakes DHB: first dose (93.7%); second dose (91.7%); boosted (69.3%)
- MidCentral DHB: first dose (97%); second dose (95.5%); boosted (74.7%)
- Tairāwhiti DHB: first dose (93.5%); second dose (91.1%); boosted (69.8%)
- Whanganui DHB: first dose (92.5%); second dose (90.8%); boosted (74.4%)
- Hawke’s Bay DHB: first dose (97.5%); second dose (95.6%); boosted (72.7%)
- Taranaki DHB: first dose (95%); second dose (93.4%); boosted (70.1%)
- Wairarapa DHB: first dose (96.9%); second dose (95.3%); boosted (75.4%)
- Capital & Coast DHB: first dose (98.9%); second dose (98.1%); boosted (81.3%)
- Hutt Valley DHB: first dose (97%); second dose (95.9%); boosted (77.3%)
- Nelson Marlborough DHB: first dose (97%); second dose (95.6%); boosted (76.3%)
- West Coast DHB: first dose (93.2%); second dose (91.5%); boosted (74.3%)
- Canterbury DHB: first dose (100%); second dose (98.9%); boosted (75.7%)
- South Canterbury DHB: first dose (95.5%); second dose (94.4%); boosted (76.9%)
- Southern DHB: first dose (98.5%); second dose (97.3%); boosted (75.3%)
*Partially and second doses percentages are for those 12+. Boosted percentages are for 18+ who have become eligible 3 months after having their second dose
Percentages are based on 2020 HSU data - a health-specific population denominator. As the population continues to change over time, coverage rates can exceed 100%.
Hospitalisations*
- Cases in hospital: total number 971: Northland: 25; North Shore: 174; Middlemore: 243; Auckland: 205; Waikato: 73; Bay of Plenty: 39; Lakes: 13; Tairāwhiti: 2, Hawke’s Bay: 30; Taranaki: 14; MidCentral: 19; Hutt Valley: 26; Capital and Coast: 39; Wairarapa: 5; Nelson Marlborough: 12; Canterbury: 37; South Canterbury: 2; Southern: 13.
- Average age of current hospitalisations: 57
- Cases in ICU or HDU: 21
- Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region only, excluding Emergency Departments): Unvaccinated or not eligible (106 cases / 18%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (22 cases / 4%); double vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (208 cases / 35%); Received booster at least 7 days before being reported as a case (200 cases / 34%); unknown (53 cases / 9%)
*The figures show that just under 3% of people aged 12 and over in the Northern Region have had no doses of the vaccine, while of those aged 12 and over in Northland and Auckland hospitals with COVID-19 for whom we have vaccination status recorded, 15.7% have had no doses of the vaccine and are five times over-represented in our hospitalisation figures.
Cases
- Seven day rolling average of community cases: 18,791
- Number of new community cases: 19,542
- Number of new community cases (PCR): 522
- Number of new community cases (RAT): 18,930
- Location of new community cases (PCR & RAT): Northland (661), Auckland (5,318), Waikato (1,834), Bay of Plenty (1,347), Lakes (584), Hawke’s Bay (1,049), MidCentral (802), Whanganui (231), Taranaki (663), Tairāwhiti (370), Wairarapa (208), Capital and Coast (1,308), Hutt Valley (780), Nelson Marlborough (487), Canterbury (2,385), South Canterbury (184), Southern (1,203), West Coast (30); Unknown (7)
- Number of new cases identified at the border: 35
- Number of active community cases (total): 197,464 (cases identified in the past 10 days and not yet classified as recovered)
- Confirmed cases (total): 417,825
Please note, the Ministry of Health’s daily reported cases may differ slightly from those reported at a DHB or local public health unit level. This is because of different reporting cut off times and the assignment of cases between regions, for example when a case is tested outside their usual region of residence. Total numbers will always be the formal daily case tally as reported to the WHO.
Tests
- Number of PCR tests total (last 24 hours): 5,241
- Number of Rapid Antigen Tests reported total (last 24 hours): 26,380
- PCR tests rolling average (last 7 days): 4,620
- Number of Rapid Antigen Tests dispatched (last 7 days as of 15/03/22): 12.8 million
1:40pm - The Ministry is reporting 19,542 new community cases, 971 hospitalisations (21 of whom are in ICU) and 24 deaths.
Of the 24 deaths, eight were people with COVID-19 who died on Tuesday and 16 are additional people who died in the past three weeks.
"Among the 24 deaths reported today are eight people whom we know died at aged residential care facilities," it says.
"Local public health authorities have notified these deaths to the Ministry in the past 24 hours as part of changes to the reporting of deaths announced last week. Delays to reporting can be associated with people dying with, rather than of COVID-19, and COVID being discovered after they have died.
"This takes the total number of publicly reported deaths to date to 141. The rolling seven-day average of deaths publicly announced over the past seven days is seven, up from four yesterday."
Of the 24 people being reported today, three died in Northland, seven in Auckland, seven in Waikato, two in the Bay of Plenty, two in MidCentral and two in Wairarapa.
One of these people was in their 40s, one in their 50s, four in their 60s, three in their 70s, eight in their 80s and six in their 90s. Eleven were women and twelve were men. Demographic information for one person is not available.
The average age of the people announced today was 79 and this has been increasing over the last week.
1:25pm - The international border will reopen to Australians from April 12 and visa waiver tourists from May 1 but two COVID-19 tests will be required during their trip.
However, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed on Wednesday that the two rapid antigen tests given to tourists upon their arrival will not be supervised and the Government will rely on personal responsibility.
Tourists will still need to be fully vaccinated, be required to submit a pre-departure test before their flight, and will be asked to self-isolate according to the Government's rules if they test positive for COVID-19 in New Zealand.
1:05pm - The National Party is calling the border announcement "overdue but welcome news".
"It's pretty simple – the risk isn't at the border anymore and allowing fully-vaccinated travellers to come to New Zealand will help us properly reconnect with the world after two years of isolation," COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop says.
"Airports, airlines and the tourism sector have been crying out for a reopening date for weeks now. It's good that the Government has finally provided some clarity so that people can plan ahead and be ready for reopening day."
"The day when the first Australian tourists walk off the plane into New Zealand will be a happy one for our struggling tourism industry, likewise when people from visa-waiver countries start to arrive a couple of weeks later," tourism spokesperson Todd McClay says.
"Pre-Covid, tourism was our largest export earner, employing more than 300,000 people. It can be a thriving industry once again and today's steps are the first towards making that happen.
"However, today's border announcement was silent on tourists from countries who require a visa to travel to New Zealand. Our ability to recover our tourism market relies heavily on access to tourists from countries who require visas to travel and under the current strategy, these countries are unable to apply for visas until October.
"The Prime Minister says the only reason for not allowing these tourists to come to New Zealand now is Immigration New Zealand's inability to process visitor visas because of their lack of resources. This is a new level of government incompetence – the Government has had two years to get ready for this. Yet again Kris Faafoi has dropped the ball.
"New Zealand has been functionally isolated from the rest of the world for two years, and many people in New Zealand have endured enormous pain and hardship as a result.
"MIQ made sense at the start of the pandemic. It doesn't anymore. From April 12 2022, we start to reconnect to the world."
1pm - As we wait for the Ministry of Health to release its latest COVID-19 update, here's a look at the situation as of Tuesday:
12:50pm - BusinessNZ is pleased by the border reopening announcement.
"By loosening border restrictions we send a positive signal to the rest of the world that we are once again open for business," chief executive Kirk Hope says.
"Bringing the timeline forward delivers some long-awaited relief to our patron-based industries like tourism and hospitality, and will allow airlines to plan for re-entry into the New Zealand market with confidence.
"The BusinessNZ Network has been advocating for isolation-free travel for months - it’s great to see the date brought forward. It allows New Zealand businesses to better connect with clients and forge new connections abroad.
"It’s important we keep moving and extend this welcome to non-visa waiver countries like China as well, to bring skilled workers and large tourism markets back."
12:35pm - Here's reaction from Tourism Industry Aotearoa:
Tourism operators are thrilled they can look forward to welcoming international manuhiri, following today's announcement that New Zealand's borders are reopening to many international travellers.
"After around 730 days of pain in the two years since our international borders closed, tourism operators finally have confirmation they can get back to business," Tourism Industry Aotearoa Communications Manager Ann-Marie Johnson says.
"Tourism was the first industry to be affected by the pandemic and will be the last to recover. Tourism operators both large and small have made huge sacrifices but
can now focus on rebuilding their businesses," Ms Johnson says.
TIA is grateful that the Government has listened to our advocacy on behalf of our members and brought forward the border reopening dates.
Australian visitors, who have traditionally been New Zealand's biggest market, will be able to return from 11.59pm on 12 April, coinciding with their school holiday period and the Easter break. Visitors from visa-waiver countries including the USA, UK, Japan, Germany, Korea and Singapore, will be able to enter from 11.59pm on 1 May.
"We hope today's announcement will give some Australian families time to book their holiday travel. But looking further ahead, it will definitely be a huge boost for our ski season," Ms Johnson says.
Although borders will be open to many travellers from the rest of the world over the coming weeks, it is anticipated that there will be a gradual rather than a rapid recovery during 2022, she says.
The most important aspect of today's announcement is that it provides certainty for travellers to plan ahead and make their bookings, and for tourism operators to prepare their businesses, hire staff and renew contact with their international markets.
Many parts of the tourism industry operate to long lead times. Airlines and the cruise sector in particular are finalising their schedules and selling itineraries for next summer.
TIA's Tourism Industry Roadmap suggests that it could be 2024 before the industry reaches its 'new normal'.
The industry has been working hard over the last two years to ensure it builds back sustainably and attract high quality visitors.
"We are ready to get back to contributing to Aotearoa and New Zealanders, not only economically but also by bringing vibrancy and diversity to our communities," Ms Johnson says.
12:20pm - Wellington Airport says it is thrilled with the announcement from the Government.
Steve Sanderson, Wellington Airport's Chief Executive said: "Being able to welcome back international visitors is great news not only for the airport and all our airport stakeholders, but for the whole Wellington region.
"Pre-Covid Wellington Airport facilitated more than 900,000 international passengers and international tourists spent more than $900m in the region per year. Welcoming back these visitors will provide a huge boost to the entire tourism industry, signal the return of international students, and reinstate important connections for local business. It will also mean so much to many families around New Zealand who have been desperately waiting to reconnect with loved ones overseas."
At this stage, approximately 450 international flights are scheduled to and from Wellington Airport during April to June, though this is likely to change as airlines assess the impact of the border announcement.
"The situation is constantly evolving and following today's news, we expect airlines will revise their schedules and reintroduce services faster than initially planned", said Sanderson.
"We are working closely with airlines and will provide updates as soon as possible."
Travellers are advised to speak to airlines for latest updates.
Currently Wellington Airport is set to welcome its first international flight to the Capital on 31 March from Brisbane with Air New Zealand. From 1 April, Wellingtonians will be able to fly non-stop to Brisbane, from 4 April non-stop to Melbourne and from 5 April non-stop to Sydney. Fiji Airways also plan to start flying non-stop to Nadi from Wellington on 13 April and Qantas is looking to return from 23 May with services to Sydney and Melbourne.
12:15pm - We are now awaiting the latest COVID-19 data from the Ministry of Health. There's no press conference expected at 1pm.
12:05pm - Here's how Air New Zealand is reacting to the announcement:
Air New Zealand is ready and waiting to reconnect friends and whānau from across the ditch from Wednesday 13 April, and visa waiver countries from Monday 2 May.
Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran says it's the day New Zealand has been waiting for.
"It's no secret the past two years have been extremely turbulent for people. There's a real buzz today. New Zealand holds a special place in many people's hearts, whether they're a Kiwi or visitor, touching down on New Zealand soil will be a moment to remember.
"It's also been incredibly hard for our tourism operators around the country. Today's announcement will help them get back to what they do best – welcoming international visitors to Aotearoa.
"Flights across the Tasman have been particularly popular, especially over the Easter period where we have added over 90 flights to keep up with demand over that period.
"Pre-COVID-19, Australia was the largest tourism market for both our airline and New Zealand. We know a lot of tourism operators have been missing international visitors so we're looking forward to playing our role in New Zealand's recovery.
"On our long-haul network, we're seeing particular interest in journeys from North America around the July holiday period. It's a sign that tourists still have New Zealand at the top of their bucket list."
The airline has more than 50 flights per week on its 15 international routes and will adjust capacity to meet demand in the coming months as New Zealand heads into the winter season.
With border restrictions starting to ease, the airline is also thrilled to begin to rebuild its aircrew whānau. In the six months since October 2021, Air New Zealand has rehired around 700 flight attendants and pilots with more opportunities on the horizon over the next six months when international passenger flying starts to increase.
International flying checklist for customers entering New Zealand:
Customers will need to show their International Vaccine Certificate to board an Air New Zealand international flight.
The New Zealand Government requires proof of a negative RAT, LAMP or PCR test before departure. Check the Covid-19 website for timeframes.
All passengers will be required to fill out the New Zealand Travel Declaration before departure
Visitors from visa-waiver countries will need to hold a NZeTA before they travel
Allow plenty of time (we recommend around three hours) to check in and verify all travel documents.
International flying checklist for customers departing New Zealand:
Customers will need to show their International Vaccine Certificate to board an Air New Zealand international flight.
Different countries have varying entry requirements (pre-departure testing and travel declarations) so check these before getting to the airport
Allow plenty of time (we recommend around three hours) to check in and verify all travel documents.
11:55am - Ardern says in the long-term unvaccinated travellers will be allowed back. She says the response will continue to evolve. Nash notes that many airlines require vaccination or a pre-departure test.
There will still be isolation requirements on tourists who come to New Zealand and test positive while here.
11:50am - This is what Tourism Minister Stuart Nash had to say about the tourism campaign targeting Australia:
A new tourism marketing campaign launches in Australia this week to build demand for travel to New Zealand, as we prepare to open borders to our first international visitors.
"We are rolling out the green and gold carpet to our vaccinated trans-Tasman cousins," said Tourism Minister Stuart Nash.
"Australians will be the first to fly, from 11.59pm on 12 April. They will be joined by vaccinated visa-waiver travellers from key northern hemisphere markets like the USA, UK, Japan, Germany, Korea and Singapore, from 11.59pm on 1 May.
"Apart from three months of quarantine-free travel in 2021 when around 160,000 Australians came here, we have missed our Aussie visitors. We cannot wait to have our mates back. Bringing forward the date will accelerate our economic recovery.
"Tourism New Zealand has been working hard over the past two years to keep ‘Brand New Zealand’ alive in the minds of international travellers. With borders now re-opening TNZ’s activity becomes focussed on converting holiday dreams into actual bookings.
"Australian travellers are the immediate focus given the ease of travel on the short-haul route. Their school holidays and Easter-ANZAC break in April are popular times to make the short hop across the Tasman.
"The new Tourism New Zealand campaign seeks to persuade Australians that our unique landscapes, hospitality and the friendliness of Kiwis are now ‘within your wildest dreams.’
"The campaign highlights some of the most popular experiences sought out by Australian visitors, such as fine dining, jet boating, cycling through vineyards and even star gazing in a hot tub in internationally-renowned dark sky reserves.
"We also have our ski season getting underway from June. Historically, 71 per cent of all international tourists who came to ski were Australians, who generated more than $211 million in winter spending.
"The industry knows there is a rebuild ahead. International travel will be very competitive and airlines will take time to build up their schedules and routes. Even some of the world’s largest tourism operators, such as Heathrow airport, are predicting a five year rebuild.
"The initial bookings from international tourists will be measured. In the first few months we expect people will travel mainly to connect with friends or family, before travel picks up for winter holidays, ski tourism, and ultimately our peak summer season in 2022/23.
"Our investment and partnership with the sector will continue. Tourism New Zealand has also spent the past two years targeting trade shows, and has trained 80,000 international travel agents who connect foreign travellers with New Zealand destinations and operators.
"Tourism New Zealand will keep a strong focus on domestic tourism. It had solid results with the ‘Do Something New, NZ’ campaign which encouraged Kiwis to see more of their own backyard. A new domestic campaign will launch in Autumn.
"We will also keep rolling out direct investment from our two Tourism support packages worth $600 million in targeted spending. Further details are due shortly.
"We aspire to have the 100% Pure New Zealand brand in the top three most desirable tourism brands for high-quality travellers. Tourism New Zealand is now converting that aspiration into action," said Stuart Nash.
11:45am - Here's the full announcement from the Prime Minister:
The Government is bringing forward the date for opening the border to tourists in time for the Australian school holidays, in a move that will help accelerate the economic recovery from COVID-19, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today.
From 11.59pm Tuesday 12 April, Australians will be able to travel to New Zealand isolation-free, and then two and a half weeks later from 11.59 Sunday 1 May, vaccinated travellers from visa-waiver countries such as the large tourist markets of the UK, US, Japan, Germany, Korea and Singapore, and those with valid visitor visas, will be able to arrive.
"Closing our border was one of the first actions we took to stop COVID-19 two years ago. It did the job we needed. But now that we’re highly vaccinated and predicted to be off our Omicron peak, it’s now safe to open up," Jacinda Ardern said.
"Reopening in time for the upcoming Australian school holidays will help spur our economic recovery in the short term and is good news for the winter ski season.
"Trans-Tasman travellers have historically made up 40 per cent of our international arrivals, with around 1.5 million Australians visiting each year.
"While we know it will take some time to see tourism scale up again, today’s announcement will be a welcome boost for our tourism operators who have done it harder than many over the last two years.
"In a world still battling COVID-19, travellers will be discerning about where they go in the short term. Our strong health response including the lowest death rate in the OECD over the past two years and our high rates of vaccination, alongside our reputation as a beautiful place to visit, will be an asset in this market.
"I am proud that New Zealand is a country which is able to provide a safe place for tourists to return to due to our strong health response to COVID-19.
"We can see from our record export prices for our goods that New Zealand is in demand internationally at the moment. A big focus of the rest of this year will be encouraging the world to buy our goods and to visit.
"During my international engagements throughout this year, I will be helping to lead the charge to accelerate growth in our top export sectors – primary industries and tourism – by encouraging people to buy New Zealand made, and to come and enjoy our hospitality.
"An earlier reopening for tourism, and the air travel that brings, also increases capacity for our exports, helping to lower freight rates and the flow-on costs of goods that stems from that.
"We know that traveller numbers will be below pre-COVID levels for awhile and tourism globally will take time to rebound, but today’s announcement means were we’re ready to go, so haere mai welcome back," Jacinda Ardern said.
11:40am - Stuart Nash is now speaking about a new tourism campaign targeting Australians.
He says Australian travellers are the immediate focus for the Government, considering the short-haul travel between the two countries and how big the market was pre-COVID. It will be important to lure them back as New Zealand heads into its ski season.
Ardern recognises how difficult the last two years have been for tourist operators.
She says this is a significant shift forward and means New Zealand is open during Australian school holidays and ahead of the ski season.
Ardern says the Government is looking at the use of vaccine mandates and passes. That will be considered this week and next. Gathering limits haven't stopped tourism businesses from operating, she says.
Ardern signals these planned changes are final and suggests Australian travellers book their journey. Travel from non-visa waiver countries could also be brought forward from October.
11:35am - Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is now speaking from the Beehive. She says the border has already reopened to New Zealanders and critical or skilled workers can also entered without isolation.
Gudiance has now been received that it is safe to bring back tourists, she says. This sends a clear message that the Government is accelerating the country's economic recovery, Ardern says.
The Prime Minister confirms New Zealand is ready to welcome the world back.
From 11:59pm April 12, vaccinated Australians can come to New Zealand. From 11:59pm, May 1, vaccinated visa-waiver country tourists can come to Aotearoa.
Ardern says there will be no isolation, but tourists will need to take a pre-departure test. On day 0/1 and 5/6 of their time in New Zealand, tourists will need to take tests, she says.
11:20am - COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced on Wednesday morning that he has tested positive for the virus.
He has been isolating after one of his children tested positive last week.
11:15am - The changes to the reopening plan are a big shift away from what was signalled earlier this year.
The Government announced in February that tourists from Australia and other visa-waiver countries would return by July.
11:10am - Kia ora, good morning, and welcome to Newshub's live updates of the COVID-19 outbreak for Wednesday.
The Government will soon announce changes to the phased border reopening plan, with Newshub understanding it will now start in April.
We will bring you a livestream of that press conference at 11:30am.
