Australia is ditching the requirement for all travellers coming into the country to be vaccinated, but Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says New Zealand will maintain its policy for foreign visitors "for now".
The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care announced on Sunday that from Wednesday people will be able to enter the country without having to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status.
"The Chief Medical Officer has advised it is no longer necessary for travellers to declare their vaccine status as part of our management of COVID," Health Minister Mark Butler said.
"Unvaccinated Australians, as well as certain groups of visa holders, have been able to travel to Australia for some time."
Travellers into New Zealand don't need to show proof of vaccination if they are a citizen, permanent resident, an Australian citizen living in New Zealand or one of a number of other groups, like refugees or arriving from Antarctica.
That means tourists and other foreigners coming to New Zealand must be vaccinated to enter the country.
Ardern, who is in Melbourne on the first day of a five-day Australian trade mission, was asked whether New Zealand is considering a similar move to the Aussies.
"Citizens, and you will know, those permanent residents are able to come into the country without vaccination," she said on Monday.
"But, of course, we have maintained that for others who are looking to travel. The vast majority, of course, are vaccinated so it is not a barrier to entry into New Zealand for the most part.
"We are maintaining it for now, but we have always said we will keep an eye on our border restrictions and ensure that they are fit for purpose."
Despite the Australian Federal Government ditching its vaccination requirement, Qantas has reportedly confirmed it will continue to demand passengers boarding one of its international flights to be vaccinated.
In June, the Government scrapped one of the last barriers at the border - pre-departure tests.
COVID-19 Response Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall said at the time that the challenges of getting a pre-departure test overseas were no longer outweighed by the public health benefits.
