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New Zealand government response to the COVID-19 pandemic

This article is about the New Zealand government's response. For that of other nations, see National responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Further information: COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand
A traffic management sign in Paraparaumu indicating COVID-19 alert level 3 in April 2020
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The New Zealand Government responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand in various ways. In early February 2020, the Government imposed travel restrictions on China in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic originating in Wuhan and also repatriated citizens and residents from Wuhan.[1][2] Following the country's first case which originated in Iran, the Government imposed travel restrictions on Iran.[3]

In response to rising cases, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern closed the country's borders to non-citizens and non-residents on 19 March 2020.[4][5] On 21 March, the Government introduced a four-tier alert level system, which placed much of the country's population and economy into lockdown from 25 March.[6][7] Due to the success of the Government's elimination strategy in reducing the spread of COVID-19, most lockdown and social distancing restrictions were lifted by 8 June 2020. However, border restrictions remained in force.[8] On 13 May, the Government passed the controversial COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020 which entrenched the Government's lockdown restrictions.[9][10]

On 11 August 2020, the Government reinstated lockdown restrictions in Auckland following a second outbreak of community transmissions.[11] Due to successful efforts to reduce community transmissions, lockdown restrictions were eliminated by 7 October.[12] In early November, the Government required travellers entering New Zealand to book a place in managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) prior to travelling to the country.[13] In mid-December 2020, the Government announced plans to establish travel bubbles with the Cook Islands and Australia in 2021.[14][15]

Following a new community outbreak in Auckland in August 2021, the NZ Government reinstated Alert Level 4 restrictions on 17 August 2021.[16] Due to rising cases in Auckland and parts of the North Island, the Government abandoned its elimination strategy while accelerating the country's vaccination rollout.[17][18] The "alert level system" was subsequently replaced by the COVID-19 Protection Framework ("traffic light system"), which came into force on 3 December 2021.[19] In addition, the Government launched a COVID-19 vaccination pass system, which came into effect on 16 November 2021.[20] On 23 November, the Government passed the COVID-19 Response (Vaccinations) Legislation Act 2021, which provided a legal framework for the "traffic light system" and vaccine mandates for certain occupations.[21]

On 17 January 2022, the Government launched its vaccination rollout for children aged between five and 12 years.[22] In late January, the Government also launched a three-stage plan to combat the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant based on contact tracing, testing and self-isolation.[23] On 3 February, the Government also launched a five-stage plan to reopen New Zealand's borders throughout 2022.[24] On 23 March, the Government eased several "traffic light" restrictions including limits on public gatherings, vaccine pass requirements, vaccine mandates for most occupations, and NZ COVID Tracer QR code scanning requirements.[25] In May 2022, the Government also accelerated the reopening of the border for various work, visitor and student visa classes.[26] In mid September 2022, the Government abolished the "traffic light system," ending most remaining COVID-19 mask, vaccine, and close contact isolation mandates and restrictions.[27]

  1. ^ "NZ to close doors on foreign travellers from China". Radio New Zealand. 2 February 2020. Archived from the original on 2 February 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  2. ^ "Air NZ mercy flight from coronavirus-stricken Wuhan, China arrives in Auckland". TVNZ. 5 February 2020. Archived from the original on 4 March 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  3. ^ "Coronavirus: New travel restrictions for Iran announced". Radio New Zealand. 28 February 2020. Archived from the original on 6 March 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  4. ^ Walls, Jason. "Coronavirus: NZ shutting borders to everyone except citizens, residents – PM Jacinda Ardern". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  5. ^ Cooke, Henry (19 March 2020). "Coronavirus: Government shutting borders to all but citizens and residents". Stuff. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  6. ^ Cheng, Derek (20 March 2020). "Coronavirus: PM Jacinda Ardern outlines NZ's new alert system, over-70s should stay at home". The New Zealand Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Archived from the original on 21 March 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  7. ^ Roy, Eleanor (23 March 2020). "'Kiwis – go home': New Zealand to go into month-long lockdown to fight coronavirus". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 23 March 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  8. ^ "Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern reveals move to level 1 from midnight". Radio New Zealand. 8 June 2020. Archived from the original on 8 June 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  9. ^ Wade, Amelia (14 May 2020). "Covid-19 coronavirus: Controversial bill passed to enforce alert level 2 powers". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 13 May 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  10. ^ "Covid-19 live updates, May 13: Alert level two law passes; changes to rules for funerals and tangi". The Spinoff. 13 May 2020. Archived from the original on 14 May 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  11. ^ "Coronavirus live updates: COVID-19 in community, Auckland going to level 3". Newshub. Archived from the original on 12 August 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  12. ^ Franks, Josephine (5 October 2020). "Covid-19: Auckland to move to alert level 1 from midnight Wednesday". Stuff. Archived from the original on 5 October 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  13. ^ "Isolation hotel vouchers now required to enter NZ, with pre-Christmas period completely booked". 1 News. 3 November 2020. Archived from the original on 2 November 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  14. ^ "Covid 19 coronavirus: Cook Islands, New Zealand travel bubble without quarantine from early next year". The New Zealand Herald. 12 December 2020. Archived from the original on 11 December 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  15. ^ Taylor, Phil; Remeikis, Amy (14 December 2020). "Jacinda Ardern: New Zealand and Australia to launch travel bubble in early 2021". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 14 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  16. ^ "New Zealand to enter COVID-19 alert level 4 from midnight Tuesday". Newshub. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  17. ^ "Covid-19 briefing: Waikato joins Auckland in alert level 3 from tonight". Radio New Zealand. 3 October 2021. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  18. ^ Corlett, Eva (4 October 2021). "New Zealand Covid elimination strategy to be phased out, Ardern says". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 4 October 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  19. ^ Cooke, Henry (22 November 2021). "Covid-19: New Zealand to enter traffic-light system on December 3, opening up Auckland". Stuff. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  20. ^ "Official Covid-19 vaccine certificate to go live". Radio New Zealand. 16 November 2021. Archived from the original on 17 November 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  21. ^ "Mandate legislation pushed through Parliament amid fierce opposition". Radio New Zealand. 24 November 2021. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  22. ^ "COVID-29: Omicron outbreak would push New Zealand back to red traffic light setting, says Jacinda Ardern". Radio New Zealand. 17 January 2022. Archived from the original on 17 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  23. ^ "Government announces three phase public health response to Omicron". Unite against COVID-19. Ministry of Health. 26 January 2022. Archived from the original on 10 February 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  24. ^ "Covid-19: Border reopening for New Zealanders confirmed for end of February – what you need to know". Radio New Zealand. 3 February 2022. Archived from the original on 3 February 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  25. ^ Whyte, Anna (23 March 2022). "PM reveals changes to mandates, vaccines passes and restrictions". 1 News. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  26. ^ "New Zealand border reopening fully from end of July". Radio New Zealand. 11 May 2022. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  27. ^ "Covid-19 traffic light system scrapped: All you need to know". The New Zealand Herald. 12 September 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2022.

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