Four Auckland-based Silver Ferns have been granted a Government exemption to travel to Christchurch for next week's netball series against England.
Newly appointed captain Gina Crampton, Sulu Fitzpatrick, Peta Toeava and Grace Nweke will join the rest of the squad to prepare for Monday's opening test.
All four returned negative COVID-19 test results before departing and Netball New Zealand says strict protocols remain in place at Alert Level 2 for the series.
The dispensation had to meet the highest threshold to be granted, and was based on a Ministry of Health assessment of public health risk and economic impact.
Netball NZ chief executive Jennie Wyllie says it was "extremely grateful" to be granted exemption for the players to join the team for the three-test series.
"To be able to play international sport during these times is something we don't take for granted, so we'd like to acknowledge the work done behind the scenes from many to ensure this series can go ahead."
NNZ says several factors were considered in an exemption application, including the unavailability of three members of the Silver Ferns leadership group due to injury and pregnancy, and with leaders Crampton and Fitzpatrick both located in Auckland, the team would lose a vast amount of experience.
The risk of injury to replacement players was also considered, with limited time to prepare for the international tests, while the dates for the series were unable to be moved, as England had commitments in Australia after the series.
Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua is pleased for the chance to have her full squad together for the series, which is a key part of their build-up towards next year's Commonwealth Games.
Earlier on Thursday, the Silver Ferns brought in three development players to their camp as cover, in case the Government exemption was not granted.
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