Tens of thousands of Kiwis battling desperately to return home to New Zealand have missed out again after the latest bookings for managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) in December filled up on Tuesday night.
The release for spots saw around 27,000 overseas Kiwis join the virtual lobby at 5pm in the hopes of nabbing a place in time for Christmas when the rooms were released at 6pm.
Altogether there were 3800 rooms available for October, November, and December - but most received disappointing news at 6:48pm when all the December rooms were taken.
"There are no more rooms available in this release for December," a message on the website stated.
"There will be another room release soon with more December rooms. If you intend to travel in December and do not want a date for any other month, please close your browser."
It's caused outright anger online with Kiwis calling for the Government to make more spaces available.
"Having to set an alarm for 4am just for this... only 3800 spots and I'm 12k+ in line. Well, doesn't look like I'll be getting home to see my family in 2021," one person tweeted.
"This MIQ is just a simply a joke. Last time I've got 7k and this time just before the lobby opens lost internet n after few seconds got it back though but with 22k. Been trying to seal a spot from at least 6 months. Always find new ways not to get it," another said.
On Tuesday afternoon Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the government would release 12,000 more rooms in the next few weeks.
"The reason we stagger those releases is because some people may have urgent needs that only arise say, in October and November and it allows those people to get equal access if those needs arise a little closer to the time," she said.
