Transtasman Bubble with Australia: ‘Best News’ or ‘Big Hit’?

By RNZ

The Australian and New Zealand governments reached an agreement yesterday that would allow people to travel from New Zealand to New South Wales and the Northern Territory without quarantine with flights linking the two nations starting in two weeks, on October 16. .

However, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said it was still too early to allow Australians to enter the nation of 5 million, meaning the trip will be one way and New Zealanders would have to spend two weeks in controlled isolation upon returning to House.

Queenstown Mayor Jim Boult described the government’s unwillingness to open the border to Australian visitors at this time as a major blow to the tourism sector.

“I don’t think the Kiwis are willing to go to Australia if they have to go back and isolate themselves for two weeks when they come back. Where is the advantage in that?”

Boult wants Australian states to be gradually authorized to travel to New Zealand.

National Party Leader Judith Collins doubts a round-trip bubble with Australia will open anytime soon.

The party wants travel bubbles to open with Pacific neighbors, including Australia, as soon as it is safe.

But Collins said National would first want a border protection agency operating in this country.

“It’s a no-brainer, but I’m not going to push it until we have the place of border protection and security. We don’t want to do what the current government did last year and export measles to Samoa. I don’t want to do that with Covid-19.”

Welcome first phase in Australia

Australia’s federal government has said that the deal is simply stage one of a more comprehensive travel bubble, to be rolled out slowly in accordance with international circumstances.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said he hopes it won’t be long until Australia’s trip to New Zealand is approved.

“As more cities open up in Australia, this is likely to include new direct routes from New Zealand that the group has not previously offered, to take full advantage of easing restrictions.

“This first phase of a travel bubble with New Zealand is the best news the industry has had in months.

“New Zealand was Australia’s second largest visitor source before the pandemic. Obviously it is about to go straight to number one,” Joyce said.

The airline did not directly respond to questions about whether it would create a direct route to New Zealand through a Northern Territory airport.

Darwin residents Neil and Donna Linklater said that when the kiwis arrive, they will welcome them with open arms.

“I would love to see the kiwis here, beautiful people. They are just like us. Enjoy the beer, enjoy the food,” Neil Linklater said.

Donna Linklater said that although the idea of ​​international arrival makes her anxious, New Zealanders have controlled their cases.

“I still believe that the economy has to keep going. International travel was eventually going to happen, it has to happen,” he said.