The European Union will accept COVID-19 vaccination certificates from New Zealand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) announced on Tuesday morning.
"Great news! Vaccination certificates from Aotearoa New Zealand are now connected to the EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC) system," the ministry tweeted.
"COVID-19 certificates issues by NZ and EU DCC countries are recognised as equivalent. Many thanks for your cooperation."
The European Union (EU) also tweeted confirmation of the agreement.
"Countries wanting to join the EU system keeps on growing. This boosts confidence in safe travel inside and outside the EU," the union's official Twitter account stated.
In addition to the tweets a more thorough statement was released by the EU confirming New Zealand was among a handful of countries with which reciprocal vaccination passport links had been set up.
Alongside Aotearoa, the agreement also includes Georgia, Moldova and Serbia.
"As a result, the four countries will be connected to the EU's system and their COVID certificates will be accepted under the same conditions as the EU Digital COVID Certificate," the statement reads.
"At the same time, the four countries agreed to accept the EU Digital COVID Certificate for travel from the EU to their countries."
New Zealand company MATTR is working with the Ministry of Health to develop the vaccine certificates, which will feature a scannable QR code along with the holder's name, date of birth and the certificate's expiry date.
They'll be available in a number of forms, including digitally on the holder's smartphone.
EU Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders said he was pleased to see the number of countries wanting to join the EU system continue to grow.
"With today's decisions, 49 countries and territories in five continents are connected to the EU Digital COVID Certificate system. We continue our efforts to strengthen travellers' confidence in safe travel inside and outside the EU."
New Zealand's COVID-19 vaccination certificates are expected to start being rolled out by the end of November.
