vaccination travel to nz

Helpful tips

Here's a few useful links to help with planning your trip to Aotearoa New Zealand.

• Best things to do in the North Island
• Best things to do in the South Island
• Other Islands
• Best ways to travel around
• Calculate travel times and distances

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

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New Zealand Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

There are no notices currently in effect for New Zealand.

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Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Consider hepatitis A vaccination for most travelers. It is recommended for travelers who will be doing higher risk activities, such as visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where a traveler might get infected through food or water. It is recommended for travelers who plan on eating street food.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to New Zealand. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to New Zealand.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Dogs infected with rabies are not commonly found in New Zealand.

If rabies exposures occur while in New Zealand, rabies vaccines may only be available in larger suburban/urban medical facilities.

Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis.

Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel.

For more information, see country rabies status assessments .

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil
• Avoid floodwater

Clinical Guidance

Airborne & droplet.

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in New Zealand, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the  Department of State Country Information Pages  for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Although New Zealand is an industrialized country, bug bites here can still spread diseases. Just as you would in the United States, try to avoid bug bites while spending time outside or in wooded areas.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Consider using permethrin-treated clothing and gear if spending a lot of time outside. Do not use permethrin directly on skin.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in New Zealand include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip:

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in the heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if you are driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately.  Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance for things your regular insurance will not cover.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medicines you take.
• Bring copies of your prescriptions for medicine and for eye glasses and contact lenses.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call New Zealand’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Make sure there are seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in New Zealand, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Traffic flows on the left side of the road in New Zealand.

• Always pay close attention to the flow of traffic, especially when crossing the street.
• LOOK RIGHT for approaching traffic.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for New Zealand for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

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Travelling or returning to New Zealand

Passports and visas for entry into new zealand.

• You will need a valid passport .
• If you are not a New Zealand or Australian citizen, you may need to apply for a visa or a  New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) for traveling to or transiting New Zealand.
• Don't forget to check travel requirements for any  countries/regions  you will pass through in transit and on your return journey.
• All passengers entering New Zealand have the option to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration instead of a paper Passenger Arrival Card. Passengers transiting internationally do not need to complete a declaration.

Transit in New Zealand

• If you are not a New Zealand or Australian citizen, you may need to apply for a visa or a  New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) for transiting through New Zealand
• Remember to check your final destination's entry requirements .
• Travellers do not require proof of vaccination or a pre-departure test to enter New Zealand.
• Air New Zealand does not require passengers to provide proof of vaccination or a pre-departure test. We do ask that if you're feeling unwell and test positive for COVID-19, please consider changing your travel plans. 

Travel vaccination

Imac is unable to provide vaccination advice for travellers..

Advice is available in centres specialising in travellers’ health and vaccination in the larger cities in New Zealand. In most towns and cities general practitioners are also able to provide advice and recommended vaccinations.

Click here for travel health advice from the Ministry of Health.

Links from this website to non-IMAC websites are for information only and do not constitute endorsement, expressed or implied, by IMAC. These websites are not managed by the Immunisation Advisory Centre. We do not review, control or take responsibility for the content on these sites although we believe the sites provide credible information. If you would like to discuss content on any of these websites please contact us .

Travel advice can also be obtained from the following websites:

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade - Manatū Aorere https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/ ‍

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Travellers' Health http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/ ‍

MD Travel Health - Complete travel health information, updated daily, for physicians and travellers https://redplanet.travel/mdtravelhealth ‍

World Health Organization - International Travel and Health http://www.who.int/ith/vaccines/en/ ‍

Country specific vaccine recommendations and disease surveillance information

http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries ‍

Travel health information from the UK

http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home.aspx

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25 November 2021 at 8:58 am

New Zealand to begin opening up to vaccinated foreign nationals from 30 April 2022

New Zealand will begin allowing fully vaccinated foreign nationals to travel to New Zealand from 30 April 2022 onwards, with the reopening staged over time and possibly by visa category.

COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says New Zealand will be removing the requirement to go into managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) for most travellers in stages, but they will have to self-isolate for seven days, with pre-departure and post-arrival testing.

Travellers will be able to enter New Zealand without going into MIQ in three steps:

• Step 1 – opening to fully vaccinated New Zealand citizens and those residence-class visa holders and other travellers eligible under our current border settings, from Australia, from 11.59 pm on Sunday 16 January 2022, provided they have been in Australia or New Zealand for the past 14 days.
• Step 2 – opening to fully vaccinated New Zealand citizens and those residence-class visa holders and other travellers eligible under our current border settings, from all but Very High-Risk countries, from 11.59 pm on Sunday 13 February 2022.
• Step 3 – opening to fully vaccinated foreign nationals, possibly staged by visa category, from Saturday 30 April 2022 onwards.

The Very High-Risk classification for Indonesia, Fiji, India, Pakistan and Brazil will be removed in early December 2021 and travellers from these countries will be able to enter New Zealand on the same basis as travellers from most other countries. Papua New Guinea will continue to be classified as Very High-Risk. 

The three steps are a medium risk pathway. Those who do not meet the requirements for a medium risk pathway, but are still permitted to enter New Zealand under current border settings, will continue to enter MIQ upon arrival under the new regime of seven days in managed isolation, followed by three days of home isolation. This will include those who do not meet vaccination requirements, including unvaccinated New Zealand citizens and those from Very High-Risk countries.

All travellers not required to go into MIQ will still require:

• a negative pre-departure test
• proof of being fully vaccinated
• a passenger declaration about travel history
• a day 0/1 test on arrival
• a requirement to self-isolate for seven days, and
• a final negative test before entering the community.

“It’s very encouraging that as a country we are now in a position to move towards greater normality,” Minister Chris Hipkins said.

“We always said we’d open in a controlled way, and this started with halving the time spent in MIQ to seven days. Retaining a seven-day isolate at home period for fully vaccinated travellers is an important phase in the reconnecting strategy to provide continued safety assurance.

“These settings will continue to be reviewed against the risk posed by travellers entering New Zealand,” he said.

“There continues to be a global pandemic with cases surging in Europe and other parts of the world, so we do need to be very careful when reopening the border.”

Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao Chief Executive Grant McPherson has welcomed the New Zealand Government’s move towards opening the borders to international students.

“This news is a great boost for the international education sector. We will keep education providers and international students up to date as we learn more on the detail of how the changes will work,” he said.

The New Zealand Government will release further details on how self-isolation will be implemented in December 2021. There will be guidance on how people can travel from their arrival airport to their location of self-isolation and requirements for the places where they can self-isolate.

For more information, read the media release from COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins – Reconnecting New Zealand – the next steps .

For the latest official New Zealand Government information and advice, go to covid19.govt.nz

Next articles

Next webinar for the schools’ sector – 19 june 2024, from the acting chief executive: cold temperatures, warm hearts.

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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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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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