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Covid-19 and international travel.

This COVID-19 travel advice applies to all international travel, in all destinations. If you are planning international travel at this time, please read this advice alongside our destination specific travel advisories .

In line with step two of the Government’s 5-step plan to re-open New Zealand’s borders , at 11:59pm on Friday 4 th of March 2022, we removed the SafeTravel global ‘Do not travel’ advisory and returned to issuing destination-specific travel advisories.

While our borders have reopened, it is important to remember that international travel is different now. Travel has become more complicated and there are additional things you need to think about when planning your trip overseas.

Although many countries now have increasingly high vaccination numbers, any country could continue to experience a sudden outbreak of COVID-19. This may include the emergence of new variants of concern, which may lead to the sudden imposition of strict travel restrictions or health measures that could impact upon your travel plans, and your travel insurance. If you’re heading overseas, it’s important you think about the risks of contracting COVID-19 in your destination. This may mean that you have to remain overseas for longer than you had planned, which may have financial implications for you. We recommend that all New Zealand travellers make contingency plans in case disruptions mean you need to support yourself overseas for longer than you planned.

All travellers also need to be aware of the requirements for returning to New Zealand. You can read more about that on the Unite Against COVID-19 website here .

We advise that New Zealanders overseas follow local health advice and use basic hygiene measures to minimise the risk of exposure. The Ministry of Health provides useful information about protecting yourself and others from COVID-19 .

Vaccination

We encourage all New Zealanders to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before travelling anywhere overseas.   From February 28, 2024, International Travel COVID-19 Vaccination Certificates will no longer be available for New Zealanders travelling overseas, as most countries have now lifted their COVID-19 vaccination entry requirements.

There are alternative vaccination records available if people need them for international travel purposes as some countries and territories may still need you to show proof of vaccination.

The My Health Record web portal enables users to generate a record of all their vaccinations, including their COVID-19 vaccinations, and print these if needed.

Travellers are encouraged to check the vaccination entry requirements of their destinations before travelling.

You’re at greater risk of contracting COVID-19 if you’re unvaccinated. Sudden outbreaks of COVID-19 pose an increased risk to you, particularly in destinations with low vaccination coverage. Health services can also be difficult to access in these circumstances.

Other countries border requirements

While many countries and territories have opened up their borders to tourists again, border requirements may be different for each destination. These requirements may also change at short notice, so before you go, it’s important that you are well informed about the requirements for each of the destinations you are travelling to. This includes checking border requirements for the countries you’re visiting or transiting through, and COVID-19 testing and vaccine requirements of airlines and other transport providers.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade cannot provide immigration advice about entry, transit or exit requirements for other countries and territories. The border authorities of the country or territory you are travelling to determine your eligibility for entry. Consult the official website or the nearest embassy/consulate of your country or territory of destination to find out about any border controls that may apply to you, before travelling.

 Obtaining comprehensive travel insurance is more important than ever. If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.

We understand that some travel insurance policies may cover some COVID-19-related claims. However, it’s really important to check the details of your travel insurance as this varies from provider to provider. Your travel insurance may be affected by COVID-19 and may not necessarily cover travel disruption or medical expenses, particularly in the event your travel is disrupted due to government imposed restrictions. New Zealand travel insurance providers usually don’t cover travel to countries or territories set at SafeTravel’s highest travel advisory level “Do not travel” (level 4 of 4), and there may be limited cover for destinations set at “Avoid non-essential travel” (level 3 of 4).

Contact your travel insurer if you have questions or concerns about whether you are covered by your insurance policy for any potential COVID-19 related expenses. We also recommend that you clearly understand how sudden changes to the international travel environment might affect your cover. You also need to ensure that you meet any compulsory insurance requirements put in place by airlines and other transport providers, as well as the border authorities at each of your destinations.

Before you go:

• Read our travel advice for each of the destinations you plan on travelling to. Our country specific advisories provide an essential source of information about other safety and security risks while travelling overseas
• Register your travel plans on SafeTravel so we can send you important information following an emergency
• Visit the  Unite Against COVID-19 website and make sure you understand New Zealand’s entry requirements for when you return
• Obtain your  International Travel Vaccination Certificate and understand how your vaccination status might affect your travel
• And finally, take out comprehensive travel insurance and check your travel insurance policy carefully to see what’s covered, particularly in the event your travel is disrupted due to unexpected government imposed restrictions

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Covid-19 travel safety and information

Know what to expect while travelling and follow some simple guidelines to stay safe in New Zealand.

On this page, you'll find helpful information on what you need to know:

Before travelling to New Zealand

• When in New Zealand

Leaving New Zealand

1. check your eligibility.

Before planning your travel to New Zealand, make sure you are eligible for travel, meet the visa requirements and have taken the right steps.

Everyone entering New Zealand needs to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) (opens in new window) including babies and children. It’s free and you can complete it on the NZTD website or by downloading the NZTD app ahead of your travel.

2. New Zealand’s vaccination requirements

COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements for all travellers arriving in the country, including air crew, are no longer required.

However, all travellers are strongly encouraged to remain up to date with their vaccinations before travelling to New Zealand. Vaccination remains a significant tool for preventing infection, reducing COVID-19 symptoms and severe illness.

3. Pre-departure test

To enter New Zealand, travellers no longer need to get a pre-departure test. 

4. Other things to consider before leaving 

For peace of mind during your trip in New Zealand, you may also want to consider medical and travel insurance.

When you're in New Zealand

Once you arrive in new zealand.

Antigen tests

Travellers entering New Zealand do not need pre-departure tests or proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter New Zealand. Check with your travel provider as they may still require proof of vaccination. If you have COVID-19 symptoms when you arrive in New Zealand, it is recommended to take a rapid antigen test (RATs). COVID-19 tests are free and widely available in New Zealand. Find more information on how to get a free RAT or PCR test (opens in new window) . Find more  information on taking your test (opens in new window) .

COVID-19 safety practices in place

With COVID-19 case numbers falling, a highly vaccinated population, and increased access to antiviral medicines to treat COVID-19, New Zealand has removed most COVID-19 restrictions. It is still recommended to practice healthy habits when travelling around New Zealand.

Practice healthy habits

• While travelling around New Zealand, you should try to physically distance yourself in airports or busy transport hubs.
• Wearing a face mask is no longer required, although masks are still encouraged in some places such as hospitals.
• Find further information on face mask requirements (opens in new window) here.

What to do if you develop symptoms

• Find a COVID-19 testing centre (opens in new window) in your current location
• Order a rapid antigen tests (RATs) home testing kit
• Isolate for seven days. Find more information on self-isolation requirements (opens in new window) .
• Find more information on what to do if you  test positive while travelling (opens in new window) .

Helpful links

• New Zealand emergency information and numbers
• List of public hospitals in New Zealand (opens in new window)
• Testing centre locations (opens in new window) across New Zealand

Check entry requirements

The country you are travelling to may have entry requirements in place. Be sure to check the requirements of the country you are travelling to.

• the official website of the country you wish to enter
• that country’s diplomatic representative in New Zealand
• More information if you require a pre-departure test before leaving (opens in new window) New Zealand
• List of testing centre locations (opens in new window) in New Zealand

More information on travelling to NZ

Visas and entry requirements long-arrow-right

Flights to New Zealand long-arrow-right

Travel agents and agencies long-arrow-right

Before you travel

Avoid surprises — before you go, find and check your passport, pay your fines and check if there are any special travel requirements for the countries you’re visiting.

Documents you’ll need to leave NZ

You’ll need a passport. If your passport is damaged or close to expiring, you might not be allowed to enter some countries.

Check your passport is valid

The name in your passport must match your tickets and your officially registered name.

Before you travel, check if the country you’re visiting has special rules.

Check visa and entry requirements for your destination

Travel advisories

Travel advisories from the NZ government cover security and safety concerns in 137 places around the world.

The SafeTravel website has tips to help you stay safe overseas, what to do if things go wrong, and how the New Zealand government can or cannot help.

Register with SafeTravel

SafeTravel is the official registration facility for New Zealanders travelling or living overseas.

If you’re registered, SafeTravel can:

• contact you if there is a major incident overseas
• send you updates about emergencies, natural disasters or terrorist attacks.

Get travel insurance

You should get comprehensive travel insurance before heading away. You need to make sure it covers everywhere you’re going, and everything you plan to do.

If you do not have travel insurance, you’ll have to pay any overseas medical costs yourself, including the cost of returning to New Zealand.

Unpaid fines

If you have unpaid fines and try to leave or come into New Zealand, the police can stop you at the airport. You will be allowed to pay by credit card over the phone with a registrar.

If you’re travelling in the next 48 hours and you have fines or reparation you have not paid, call 0800 729 677 to pay with your credit card.

If you get a benefit

You must let Work and Income know your travel plans and your reasons for travel before you leave New Zealand. Partners travelling must also let them know. If you do not, your benefit might stop the day after you leave.

Going overseas to live

If you get NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension

You need to tell Seniors Services that you’re going overseas before you leave NZ.

• If you travel overseas
• Living overseas if you get NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension

If you have a student loan

If you do not meet your repayment obligations, you could be arrested when you return to NZ. Make sure you keep up your student loan payments while you’re overseas or you could be charged interest and penalties.

Going overseas when you have a student loan

If you pay tax

You might need to file a tax return (IR3) that covers the period up to the date you leave NZ. You may also need to file a tax return at a later time showing details of any income you’ve earned overseas or from an NZ source.

Find out if you should file a tax return

If you have tax debt, contact Inland Revenue to discuss the options for paying your debt. The Australian Tax Office can help recover tax debt owed by New Zealanders who move to Australia.

What to do if you have a tax debt

If you pay child support

You must contact IR.

Child support payments

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Last updated 15 October 2021

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Vaccine pass ready for a Kiwi summer

For the more than 3.4 million eligible people already fully vaccinated, now is the time to get ready for a Kiwi summer by getting their My Vaccine Pass, Minister for COVID-19 Response Chris Hipkins said.

My Vaccine Pass is an official record of a person’s COVID-19 vaccination status and will provide access to places within New Zealand that require proof of vaccination under the new COVID-19 Protection Framework.

“We’re asking fully vaccinated New Zealanders to get ready for summer by requesting their pass,” Chris Hipkins said.

“ It is your official proof of vaccination and a ticket to enjoy the extra freedoms that will come with the COVID-19 Protection Framework. To get one, people will need to be fully vaccinated or be one of the very small number of Kiwis who has received a medical exemption.

“The pass will be issued by the Ministry of Health . People can log onto My COVID Record to make a request for the free pass or call 0800 222 478.

“People can log in from later this morning, but we’re asking for patience and for people to wait for a couple of days to ease any demand on the IT system and call centre staff.   

“The pass will mean people will be able to do the things they love, like going to concerts and music festivals, nights out at bars and restaurants, and going to the gym and sports events.

“We don’t want anyone to miss out, so we’re strongly encouraging those who’ve been putting off getting a vaccine to take that step now, as we prepare to transition into the COVID-19 Protection Framework.  

“The Ministry of Health has worked closely with businesses and events companies to ensure they have the technology solutions needed to verify the pass – which will become part of people’s daily routine, like carrying a drivers licence, scanning in at the supermarket or wearing a mask.

“My Vaccine Pass has a QR code that can be scanned upon arrival at a venue. The pass can be downloaded to your personal phone and stored in your Apple or Google Wallet, or may be printed out.

“A separate International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate, which provides proof of your vaccination status in order to enter overseas countries, can also be requested if you need one.

“Proof of a booster shot is not required at this stage to be able to access the pass,” Chris Hipkins said.   

Recognition of overseas vaccinations

“A process has been put in place for people who have had their COVID-19 vaccinations overseas to have these recognised here and submit an application for My Vaccine Pass.

“The application process for this may take up to 14 days as details will initially be manually entered into the COVID-19 Immunisation Register. People are advised to prepare all their vaccine evidence from overseas and get their applications in as soon as possible from tomorrow.”

How do I get My Vaccine Pass?  

Once you are fully vaccinated, sign up to My Covid Record -  www.mycovidrecord.nz  

to see your vaccination status and request a pass .  Your My Vaccine Pass will include your name, date of birth and a QR code. You can save this pass on a digital device, like your phone, or print a physical copy.   

If someone has a temporary medical exemption*, you can call 0800 222 478 to request a My Vaccine Pass – may be asked a few things to confirm your identity – such as your name and date of birth.   

Where will people need to use My Vaccine Pass?  

Under the COVID Protection Framework you will be required to show My Vaccine Pass as proof of vaccination status in a range of public settings such as events, hospitality, retail (opt in, except for essential services – see next Q and A), community, sport, and faith-based gatherings. 

Where do you not need to show a My Vaccine Pass?   

Under the COVID Protection Framework, there are certain settings where denying entry on the basis of vaccination status will be prohibited.

You do not have to show proof of your vaccination status to access  supermarkets, pharmacies, all health and disability services, food banks or petrol stations.  Proof of vaccination is also not required in education settings, on all public transport (other than air travel), accessing housing and housing support services under state sector agencies.

For children under the age of 12, there is no requirement to show proof of vaccination.   

Is there anyone who is unable to get a My Vaccine Pass?

There are very few people that are unable to get a vaccine due to medical grounds. These people who apply through the Ministry of health and receive a temporary medical exemption process will also be able to receive a vaccine pass.   

When will booster shots be included into the systems?

People will be able to book a booster shot through Book My Vaccine from 26 Nov. Once they’ve had a booster shot, it will show up in their My COVID Record along with their other doses

The date for a booster shot to be included as criteria for My Vaccine Pass as part of the definition of “fully vaccinated” is to be determined, requiring further advice from CVTAG.

How long is My Vaccine Pass valid for?   

A person’s My Vaccine Pass is valid for   6 months from date of issue.

This is because booster shots may be required to ensure ongoing protection against Covid, and because Medical Exemptions are only valid for 6 months. If vaccination passes are still required after a pass has expired, you will need to request another one to prove your vaccinations are current.  

*Note, for people with a temporary medical exemption, their details won’t be entered into the system until 26 November.   

How do I get a My Vaccine Pass if I don’t have a smart phone, a computer or internet access?  

For people without a smartphone or access to a computer call 0800 222 478 to request a My Vaccine Pass. They need to have a National Health Index (NHI) ready or if may be asked a few things to confirm your identity – such as name and date of birth. Someone can call for a person on their behalf, but they must have their permission.  

  What about 12-16 year olds? How will they access My Vaccine Pass?

As of this week, 12 year olds and over can now access My COVID Record using my Health Account.

What do people do who share an email within their household?

An individual email is required when requesting a My Vaccine Pass via My COVID Record because people have different dates of birth, different medical records. This is common practice with digital services. For people who do not have an individual email account, they can register for their own unique email address from one of the free providers such as Gmail or Hotmail.

Alternatively, a person can call the 0800 number and request a MVP which will then be mailed in hard copy to their address.

How are you looking after my privacy?  

The vaccination certificates are created from data held in the Covid Immunisation Register that records your COVID-19 vaccinations. The vaccination certificate system has been designed to keep your details private with vaccination proof securely coded into the QR code.    

Why do you show my age on the pass?  

Some businesses and organisations might require that ID is shown along with your vaccination pass. This is an important method to reduce vaccination pass forgery.  

How does someone get a My Vaccine Pass if they don't have one of the six forms of ID needed to sign up for My Covid Record?  

If someone has been vaccinated but doesn’t have an ID, they can call 0800 222 478 to request a My Vaccine Pass. We suggest that they have their National Health Index (NHI) number ready, but if they don’t have it, we may ask a few questions to confirm your identity – such as your name and date of birth.  

Can people coming from overseas get a My Vaccine Pass?  

A process is being established to record COVID vaccinations administered overseas in the New Zealand Covid Immunisation Register. We can record all 23 vaccines that are approved as per the New Zealand entry requirements.  

You must apply for this information to be included in your records, this will take up to 14 days and people will need to provide proof of the vaccines and dates administered so they can be entered into the COVID-19 Immunisation Register.   

While all 23 vaccines can be recorded, these do not mean that you will be eligible for the My Vaccine Pass. At this stage, from the week of 26 November, there are 8 approved vaccines that can be used as proof of vaccine status when applying for My Vaccine Pass.  

They are:  

• Pfizer/BioNTech  
• Janssen (Johnson and Johnson)  
• AstraZeneca (Oxford)  
• AstraZeneca/Covishield (Serum Institute of India)   
• Sinopharm   
• Sinovac (CoronaVac)  
• Covaxin (Bharat Biotech)  

Do I need a National Health Index number to enter My Covid Record and request My Vaccine Pass?  

You won’t need your National Health Index (NHI) number to log onto My Covid Record, but you will need an email address and a valid identity document, such as a birth certificate, drivers licence or passport issued in New Zealand or Australia.   

You can call 0800 222 478 to request a My Vaccine Pass. Please have your National Health Index (NHI) ready or if you don’t have it, we may need to ask you a few things to confirm your identity – such as your name and date of birth.  

For overseas arrivals: currently those coming into the country do get issued with an NHI on arrival as they go into our MIQ system.   

How long will I need an official record of my vaccination status?   

As part of the CPF, you will need proof of your vaccination status to access public settings in New Zealand until further notice. This is to help ensure we are reducing  the risk of the virus spreading at large gatherings and events over the summer and into next year.   

It’s anticipated that the need for proof of a vaccine certification when travelling internationally will be in place for years to come.  

International vaccine certificates Q&As  

When will international vaccine certificates be available?  

International vaccine certificates can be requested now. If you are using the call centre, it’s recommended you request a certificate a week or so before the date you intend to travel overseas. The certificates have an expiry date of one year. You should sign up for My Covid Record now to ensure you can create certificates and are ready to go.  

How can I know that the international certificate will be accepted by my country of destination?  

You should check the requirements of the country you’re travelling to and find out what proof of vaccination, if any, is needed. You will need to follow all the usual immigration processes and additional steps, such as pre-departure COVID-19 testing.  

Consult the official website or the nearest embassy/consulate of your country or territory of destination to find out about any border controls that may apply to you before travelling.  

How is this different from My Vaccine Pass?  

You will receive a separate QR code for your international vaccine certificate. These certificates will be recognised by international jurisdictions and are for travel purposes only.  

How is this different form the Ministry of Health “Proof of Vaccine” letter I requested and received? }

If you’ve already received a vaccination confirmation letter from the Ministry of Health you can still use this for international travel, but to ensure the country you are travelling to recognises your proof of vaccination status we recommend you request an International Travel Vaccination Certificate, and the easiest way to request this is through  My Covid Record.  

Which countries will accept New Zealand’s international travel vaccine certificate?  

International vaccine certificates from New Zealand are recognised as part of the EU Digital Covid Certificate, as announced 15 November. This now means NZ certificates may be used as proof of vaccine when entering 49 countries, with more countries expected to come.

https://ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/coronavirus-response/safe-covid-19-vaccines-europeans/eu-digital-covid-certificate_en

EU DCC formatted certificates, including NZs, are being widely recognised by countries outside of the EU DCC system, including Australia and USA.

Can I download the international certificate on my phone or is it print only?  

Yes, you can receive a digital version via email that you can save on your phone. Please note that the international certificate cannot yet be added to Apple Wallet or Google Pay – you must either have the downloaded copy of the PDF on your phone or have printed a copy.

Before you travel I mua i tō haerenga

Get organised before you travel to make your arrival into New Zealand as easy as possible.

New Zealand entry requirements

Check that you have the right documentation to enter New Zealand, including a valid passport and visa or NZeTA, if required.

Valid passport

You must have a valid passport to enter New Zealand. Check its expiry date to make sure it meets the rules for acceptable travel documents. If you are a New Zealand citizen and you need to renew your passport, make sure you allow plenty of time before you travel.

Renew or replace your adult passport – Te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa New Zealand Government

Before you travel to New Zealand – Immigration New Zealand

Visa or NZeTA, if required

If you are not a New Zealand or Australian citizen, you may need to apply for a visa or an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) to enter New Zealand.

Check if you need a visitor visa or an NZeTA – Te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa New Zealand Government

Information about NZeTA – Immigration New Zealand

Travel insurance

When coming to New Zealand to visit, study or work, you are strongly encouraged to get travel insurance. Some visa categories require you to hold insurance as a condition of your visa.

Before you buy travel insurance, check what cover it provides. New Zealand has reciprocal health agreements with Australia and the United Kingdom.

Reciprocal health agreements – Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand

What you can't bring into New Zealand

There are strict rules for what you can and cannot bring into New Zealand. If you do not declare prohibited or restricted items, you could be fined or prosecuted. This includes items in your checked in luggage and carry-on bags.

Check if you can bring or send an item to NZ – Mānatu Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries

Prohibited and restricted items – Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa New Zealand Customs Service

Check to see if items or products you are bringing into NZ need a CITES permit (CITES protects many plants and animals globally) – Te Papa Atawhai Department of Conservation 

Travel restrictions for New Zealand

There are no longer any COVID-19 related travel restrictions for New Zealand. You do not need to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter New Zealand.

Unite against COVID-19

New Zealand Traveller Declaration: Before you travel

Kia ora, Travellers arriving into Aotearoa New Zealand by air need to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration. Children and infants need their own declaration too. It’s free, takes about 10 minutes, and you can do it on your mobile device or computer. You can complete your digital declaration within 24 hours of starting your trip to New Zealand.

Go to TravellerDeclaration.govt.nz or download the NZTD app.

Remember, check if you need a visa or NZeTA to enter New Zealand.

Support and resources in other languages .

Last updated: 10th July 2023

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Travelers eligible to visit New Zealand will need to be vaccinated from November

Oct 4, 2021 • 3 min read

New Zealand will tighten its entry rules in November ©Getty Images

New Zealand will require all eligible international arrivals to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before entering the country from November 1, as the government tests a new approach to maintaining the pandemic amid a surge in Delta-driven infections. New Zealand's borders are closed to non-essential travel so the policy applies to people who have been cleared to travel to New Zealand for essential purposes or those coming from an approved quarantine-free zone .

"Getting vaccinated is the most effective measure against the transmission of COVID-19, and the risk of serious illness or death," New Zealand's COVID-19 response minister, Chris Hipkins, said in a statement , as he announced New Zealand would tighten its strict entry requirements  even further.

"To further reduce the possibility of the virus getting through our border, we are introducing the requirement for air travellers aged 17 and over, who are not New Zealand citizens, to be fully vaccinated to enter New Zealand," he said.

Fully vaccinated arrivals will still be required to quarantine for two weeks in a government-designated hotel upon arrival in New Zealand, unless they are coming from a quarantine-free zone. Officials are accepting a wide range of vaccines for entry, provided the vaccine is approved by a government or approval authority, though more guidance is expected to follow. Officials are also working on creating a traveller health declaration system, which will introduce the ability to digitally verify people's vaccination status at the border.

“Most people coming to New Zealand tell us they are already vaccinated. This requirement makes it formal and will provide an extra layer of protection at the border," Hipkins said.

Passengers—except for those coming from exempt locations—will also be required to present a negative COVID-19 result from a test taken no more than 72 hours of boarding their flight.

The announcement comes as prime minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed on Monday that New Zealand will no longer pursue a ' Zero COVID' approach to the pandemic. The approach saw New Zealand stop local transmission for a long period of time and more or less eliminate the virus from its territory, which kept citizens safe while allowing the economy to reopen quicker than most other countries. It worked so well that New Zealand's death toll was among the lowest in the world, with 27 COVID-related deaths recorded in a population of five million people.

However, the highly-transmissible Delta variant has led to a number of outbreaks that have been harder to control and Ardern acknowledged that the approach would now shift from the containment phase. A ramped-up vaccination drive is key to the new public health strategy, as she confirmed two million New Zealanders are now fully vaccinated to date.

"For this outbreak, it’s clear that long periods of heavy restrictions has not got us to zero cases,” Ardern said. "But that is OK. Elimination was important because we didn’t have vaccines. Now we do, so we can begin to change the way we do things.

"Vaccines were always going to change the way we manage COVID-19 into the future, but our strategy has worked and will remain—we want to control the virus, avoid cases and hospitalisations, enjoy our freedoms, and reconnect with the world."

A date on when international tourism will return to New Zealand has yet to be announced, though it's likely to be early next year when most of the population is fully vaccinated and the digital traveler declaration system is in place.

Air New Zealand, the national carrier, announced today that from February 2022, all passengers on board its aircraft, regardless of their destination, must be fully vaccinated when traveling internationally.

You might also like: Australia will enter first phase of return to international travel in November Argentina will open to international visitors from November - here's what tourists need to know More countries are adopting the EU's digital COVID-19 certificate - here's what you need to know

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Official covid-19 vaccine certificate to go live.

Anyone who is double-vaccinated for Covid-19 will be able to request a vaccination certificate later this morning.

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said the official proof of vaccination was a "ticket to enjoy the extra freedoms that will come with the Covid-19 Protection Framework". Photo: RNZ / Rob Dixon

The certificate, dubbed "My Vaccine Pass" , will be required in a range of public settings under the new traffic light system.

"People will need one to do a lot of the things they're looking forward to doing over the summer," Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins told Morning Report .

"It will be a very, very important part of the traffic light system because [the pass] will differentiate between what the unvaccinated and the vaccinated can do in order to keep everybody safe."

The settings that will require proof of vaccination include events, hospitality, community, sport and faith-based gatherings.

Retail outlets are allowed to opt in to the new system and request proof of vaccination from their customers if they wish.

"The Ministry of Health has worked closely with businesses and events companies to ensure they have the technology solutions needed to verify the pass - which will become part of people's daily routine, like carrying a driver's licence, scanning in at the supermarket or wearing a mask."

Access to essential services like supermarkets, pharmacies, dairies, all health services and petrol stations will not require a pass.

"To get [My Covid Pass], people will need to be fully vaccinated or be one of the very small number of Kiwis who has received a medical exemption," Hipkins said.

The free passes, issued by the Ministry of Health, could be requested by logging in to the website My Covid Record or calling 0800 222 478.

My Vaccine Pass was the only official government pass and Hipkins told people to be wary of imitations.

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My Vaccine Pass will have a QR code that can be downloaded onto your phone, stored in your Apple or Google Wallet or printed out in hardcopy.

Hipkins said those who were not comfortable using online technology or smartphones would be able to call the 0800 number and have their pass sent to them, and arrangements were also being made for places where people could drop in to have their vaccine passes printed.

He said more information about those options would be made available in the coming days.

More than 3.4 million people are double-vaccinated and would be able to request their My Vaccine Pass today but Hipkins said people should wait if they could to ease demand on the IT system and call centre staff.

"The system is pretty good, it's pretty robust. It can produce about 200 vaccine certificates per second and I'm told by industry standards that's pretty good, but of course if we get everybody all logging in this morning ... any system's going to find that a bit overloading.

"You won't need them in the next day or two so spread it out over the next couple of days and the system should be able to cope with that."

A process was being put in place for the vaccination status of those who had been immunised overseas to be recognised in New Zealand, Hipkins said.

Proof of a booster shot is not currently required for My Vaccine Pass but the certificate will only be valid for six months from its issue date.

Retailers seek clarity on vaccine certificates

Retailers want to know the legal standing of businesses that opt to require vaccine certificates as a condition of entry, and whether that extends to staff as well.

Retail NZ chief executive Greg Harford told Morning Report there were still some grey areas to work through around the implementation of vaccine mandates for retail staff in businesses which opted to use vaccine passes despite not being legally required to.

"I know lots of businesses are looking at mandating the vaccine for their staff., he said.

"Obviously if they're a hospitality business or another business where the vaccine pass is a specific requirement, those staff will need to be vaccinated, but there is an unusual interface with employment law here, where businesses need to go through really solid processes ... before they can put mandatory requirements in place."

"That potentially exposes employers to the risk of a personal grievance, which is absurd in the circumstances and something we think government needs to fix legislatively."

Harford said retailers were also concerned about staff being asked to police the rules preventing unvaccinated people from entering a business premises.

He said that had led to "some pretty nasty situations for retail workers to deal with".

"We understand the need for some of these rules - what's important I think is that ... the legal obligations sit on the customer and that there's a really clear pathway for the police to become involved if people don't want to comply, or become abusive."

Copyright © 2021 , Radio New Zealand

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New Zealand COVID-19 vaccination certificates will be accepted in European Union

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.

COVID-19: Current cases

On this page, covid-19 cases summary, current situation, deaths with covid-19, case details, definitions, cases reported each day, covid-19 by location, total cases by location.

Last updated 2pm 29 April 2024.

This data is updated weekly. All data on this page relates to cases recorded prior to 11:59 pm 28 April 2024.

* 7 day rolling average

** Not currently available

Case outcomes since first New Zealand case  

*The Ministry of Health has recently switched its definition of 'deceased' from deaths within 28 days of testing positive for COVID-19 to deaths attributed to COVID-19. See the definitions section below for further details.

*The change in total deaths with COVID may not be equal to the number of new deaths reported today. This is because deaths that occurred more than 28 days after a positive test that are subsequently determined to be unrelated to COVID are removed from the total.

Of the 29 people whose deaths we are reporting today: six were from Auckland region, three were from Waikato, one was from Taranaki, one was from MidCentral, six were from Wellington region, two were from Nelson Marlborough, four were from Canterbury, five were from Southern, one was unknown.

Two were in their 60s, five were in their 70s, 14 were in their 80s and eight were aged over 90. Of these people, ten were women and 19 were men.

Number of active cases

*The change in total case numbers may not be equal to the number of new cases reported today due to data updating and reconciliation.

Daily confirmed and probable cases

This graph shows the count of all cases of COVID-19 every day (all cases – confirmed and probable) since the first New Zealand case in late February 2020. The graph shows the rapid increase of daily cases from mid-February 2022 to early March 2022, driven by the Omicron variant.

From mid-March to mid-April 2022, cases rapidly declined, followed by a period of slower decline until early July. This was followed by a rapid increase in cases, peaking in August before a steady decline in new daily cases. Reported new daily cases hit their lowest since February 2022 in September 2022.

New COVID-19 cases reported each day

This graph shows the count of all cases of COVID-19 every day (all cases – confirmed and probable) since the first New Zealand case in late February 2020. The graph shows the rapid increase of daily cases from mid-February 2022 to early March 2022, driven by the Omicron variant. From mid-March to mid-April 2022, cases rapidly declined, followed by a period of slower decline until early July. This was followed by a rapid increase in cases, peaking in August before a steady decline in new daily cases. Reported new daily cases hit their lowest since February 2022 in September 2022.

This bar graph shows the total cases and their status by health district and those with recent travel history.

The ‘At the border’ data group includes cases detected in managed isolation or quarantine facilities from the period when these were operating, as well as cases with recent travel history from after that time. They are not included in the district totals. Before 17 June, people in managed isolation or quarantine facilities were included in the total of the relevant district.

Total COVID-19 cases by location graph

* Due to retiring the COVID-19 Protection Framework on 12 September 2022, the Ministry of Health no longer separately reports COVID-19 cases who have recently travelled overseas. These cases will be included in the weekly reporting on all COVID-19 community cases, but we will no longer distinguish between border and other cases.

You can also view a detailed breakdown of daily case numbers for each district since the beginning of the pandemic by clicking the ‘download’ button on the right hand side of this page:  New Zealand COVID-19 data .

Note:  we cannot give detailed information about cases in your district, city or town, as we must protect the privacy of the people concerned.