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COVID-19 information hub

COVID-19 information hub

Air New Zealand passengers can now link My Vaccine Pass to mobile app

AirNZ passengers will be able to upload their domestic My Vaccine Pass to the airlines' updated mobile app. Photo / Supplied

It's no secret many Kiwis are looking forward to December 15, when Auckland's borders lower and people can be reunited with family and whānau around Aotearoa. If you're hopping on a flight, you'll notice a lot has changed when it comes to air travel with new restrictions and regulations in place. Fortunately, Air New Zealand is determined to make summer travel as safe and seamless as possible. From today customers can upload their domestic My Vaccine Pass to their Airpoints profile, verifying their vaccination status so they're ready to fly.

From December 14, the airline will require either proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure for domestic flights.

Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty said although travel will look different his summer, the updated app feature would make it easy for Kiwis to get around.

"We're one of the first airlines in the world to develop a digital solution for customers to upload their vaccination status to their loyalty profile which is incredibly exciting," she said.

Check it could still be done via airport kiosks or online but Geraghty said uploading the domestic My Vaccine Pass to your Airpoints provide would be the easiest way. Even better, it only has to be done once.

For those curious about how safe it is to share their My Vaccine Pass on an app, Geraghty said security had been a priority.

"We've applied a privacy lens across the whole digital solution," she said. "The QR code or domestic My Vaccine Pass itself is not retained by Air New Zealand; we're just verifying the Pass is valid."

As more than 300,000 Kiwis are booked to fly Air New Zealand between December 15 and 31, nailing an efficient vaccination checking system will be a win-win for the airline and it's fliers.

Air New Zealand's top travel tips for the summer:

1. From 14 December, everyone aged 12 or over will need to show proof of full vaccination or a negative test taken within 72 hours of departure. So, have your My Vaccine Pass, or a negative Covid-19 test result ready. This process will be soft-launched on December 13, but won't be required on flights until the following day. 2. Want to skip airport queues? Download the latest version of the Air NZ mobile app and upload your vaccination status there to avoid doing so at the airport. If you are an Airpoints member, you'll only need to do it once. 3. Upload your domestic My Vaccine Pass, not your International Travel Vaccination Certificate. 4. For those providing proof of a negative Covid-19 test result, whether it's a Nasopharyngeal swab, saliva or supervised rapid antigen test, it will pay to arrive at the airport earlier than usual as you'll need to check-in at the airport and show airport staff your result confirmation well in advance. 5. December will be a busy month for flights, so try to arrive 60 minutes before your flight in case things take a little longer. 6. Snacks are back! Leave the packed lunch at home because from 14 December, Air New Zealand is launching a new food and beverage offering. 7. When you're not snacking on the flight you'll need to wear face coverings on the flight so don't forget your mask (but if you do, don't sweat, they have spares). 8. Summer is all about getting out and adventuring, so check out Air New Zealand's experience website, which lists more than 465 Qualmark-endorsed sustainable tourism operators. 9. Go back and read point number one again… then complete number two! 10. Lastly, leave your passport at home. International borders aren't open just yet!

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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 five days. Find more information on self-isolation requirements (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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Flights To New Zealand long-arrow-right

Travel agents and agencies long-arrow-right

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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Travel insurance with Covid-19 cover

Air New Zealand travel insurance provides cover if you get ill with Covid-19 prior to your trip commencing or get ill with Covid-19 whilst away. There is also limited cancellation and amendment expenses cover relating to Covid-19.

And your travel insurance policy still covers you for many other reasons you might need it: cancellation due to illness, hospital costs if you get injured overseas, medical repatriation, lost luggage, rental car excess cover, travel delay or disrupt, and much more.

On this page

Travelling to international destinations

Buy an international travel insurance policy that can cover you for Covid-19. With medical expenses and limited cancellation and amendment expenses cover, you can travel with peace of mind.

When you book your international flights online , you can add our one-step travel insurance on the Extras page.

• Cancelling your trip if you have Covid-19 and are unable to travel You should read the policy wording and if you have further questions contact Cover-More on 0800 500 248.
• Emergency medical expenses if you are diagnosed with Covid-19 on your trip and admitted to hospital
• There is limited cover for additional expenses if you are diagnosed with Covid-19 on your journey and must quarantine or self-isolate.
• Repatriation to help you get back home
• If a relative or your business partner not travelling with you becomes sick
• If you are an essential health care worker whose leave is revoked

What's not covered

• This policy does not cover (directly or indirectly caused by Covid-19) claims relating to government travel bans; 'Do not travel' warnings; government directed border closure; denied boarding; or mandatory quarantine or self-isolation requirements related to cross area, border, region or territory travel – unless you are travelling to Australia.
• Your disinclination to travel due to Covid-19.

Note: This is a summary of key conditions and exclusions. Please read the relevant policy wording for full benefits, exclusions and terms and conditions.

Free Look Period

Every insurance policy comes with a money-back guarantee. You have a 21 (calendar) day free look period where, if the insurance doesn't suit your needs, you can request a full refund of the premium paid (as long as no claim is pending and you haven't started your trip). Please contact Cover-More Travel Insurance on 0800 500 248 or email [email protected] for any refund queries.

Contact Cover-More Travel Insurance

Travelling around new zealand, covid-19 frequently asked questions, what countries does my travel insurance provide cover for.

Travel insurance cover may be limited in a destination if the NZ Government - MFAT advice on safetravel.govt.nz is showing as 'Do Not Travel'. You can learn more about travel insurance advice alerts here .

There is no cover for any claims arising from Covid-19 if the country or part of the country you travelled to was subject to 'Do Not Travel' advice on SafeTravel at the time you entered the country or part of the country. (This exclusion only applies if the (or one of the) reason(s) for the advice was the presence of Covid-19).

This exclusion will not apply if your trip destination is Australia.

If you are unsure about cover for your intended destination you should call Cover-More on 0800 500 248 .

If I fall ill with Covid-19, and require medical treatment in a covered country, are medical expenses covered?

Yes. If you fall ill with Covid-19 during your trip, there is provision to claim medical and additional expenses, including the cost of extended quarantine if instructed by a Doctor or Government Health Agency. You should read the policy wording to understand the limits and conditions of any Covid-19 related cover.

There is also limited cover for additional expenses if you test positive to Covid-19 during the period of insurance and are required to self-isolate as per the local health authority regulations or you are hospitalised.

If I fall ill overseas with Covid-19 and need to be repatriated home, am I covered?

Yes, there is provision to claim repatriation costs under the policy. Medical confirmation of this will be necessary from our assistance company.

I've decided I need to self-isolate due to possible contact with Covid-19 (not close contact) and no longer wish to travel. Can I claim for a trip refund under my policy?

No, there is no provision to claim.

There are no government restrictions in place to travel to my destination, but I'm required to quarantine on return from my trip. I no longer wish to travel and want to cancel my holiday. Am I covered?

No. If your trip is impacted by government mandated quarantine restrictions, no cover is provided.

Whilst on my trip, I'm denied entry to a country due to government restrictions imposed in the arriving county on travellers from countries I have visited en route or from which I have departed. Am I covered for the costs to change my trip?

No. If your trip is impacted by any government restrictions, government-issued bans, border closures and mandatory requirements, no cover is provided.

I am an essential Health Care worker and my leave is cancelled due to Covid-19. I need to cancel my trip. Am I covered?

Yes, there is provision to claim for cancellation costs.

There were no government travel restrictions in place when I booked my holiday and purchased my policy. A new outbreak of Covid-19 has led to government restrictions that now prevent me from travelling to the intended destination(s). Am I covered?

No, cover is not available in this scenario.

Note: There is no cover for any claims related to government directed restrictions.

My flight has been cancelled or re-scheduled due to Covid-19. Can I claim for a refund?

No. However, you may be eligible for a credit or refund from your airline or travel provider.

How do I make a claim?

It's quick and easy to lodge a claim with Cover-More's online claims centre . All you need to get started is your policy number.

Limits, sub-limits, conditions and exclusions apply. Air New Zealand offers this insurance as agent for and on behalf of the insurer. Insurance administered by Cover-More (NZ) Ltd, underwritten and issued by Zurich Australian Insurance Limited (ZAIL) incorporated in Australia, ABN 13 000 296 640, trading as Zurich New Zealand. Consider the Policy Brochure and wording therein before deciding to buy this product. For further information see Zurich New Zealand's financial strength rating. See Cover-More's privacy policy.

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Travelling internationally

Before making your booking, please check the latest government advice and most up-to-date entry requirements for your destinations, including transit points.

• International travel requirements
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• International Air Transport Association (IATA)
• Advice for New Zealanders living overseas

Australia Government restrictions

Please check Australia's latest  government travel advice  before booking.

• Australia Government COVID-19 travel restrictions

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