Trans-Tasman bubble suspended for at least two months

Trans-Tasman bubble suspended for at least two months; New Zealanders in Australia have a week to return home

23rd Jul 21, 1:55pm by Jenée Tibshraeny

Image sourced from Flickr

The Government has decided to pause the trans-Tasman bubble for “at least” two months, starting 11:59pm tonight (Friday).

New Zealand citizens in Australia, as well as people who normally live in New Zealand but are currently visiting Australia, are being given seven days to return home.

In other words, they have seven days to get back, before the requirement for them to try to book a spot in managed isolation will kick in.

The rules are different for people who have been in New South Wales over the past 14 days. They will need to go into managed isolation even if they return within the next seven days.

People returning from Victoria in the next seven days will need to self-isolate until they receive a negative day-three test.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern assured the Government would work with airlines to bring people home if demand isn't met in the next seven days.

“The delta variant has materially changed the risk profile," Ardern said.

“COVID has changed, and so we must.”

Ardern said Immigration New Zealand staff are being sent to Australia to check those travelling to New Zealand have in fact had pre-departure tests done. To date, proper checking hasn't happened.

She noted New South Wales recorded 136 new cases of COVID-19 today. These weren't all linked to known cases.

Ardern also made the point that states covering half of Australia’s population (New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia) were already subject to travel pauses before the decision to completely suspend the bubble was made.

She said around 200,000 people had travelled between New Zealand and Australia since the bubble was established.

Ardern said restrictions were "absolutely" required to stamp out the delta variant. She repeated her view that a strong health response to COVID-19 is also the best economic response.

Here is more information from the Government:

Managed return green flights, without a requirement to enter MIQ, will be facilitated for travelers in low-medium risk states from 11.59pm on Friday 23 July to 11:59pm on Friday 30th July initially.

Travellers from Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia, ACT and Norfolk Island, can come home on a green flight subject to the below public health criteria:

A negative pre-departure test, taken within 72-hours of their intended travel to New Zealand.

Have not been in a location of interest in the past 14 days.

Are not symptomatic at the time of travel.

Are not a contact of a COVID-19 case.

Eligible people from Victoria or travellers from other states/territories who have been in Victoria can return provided they also:

Adhere to lockdown measures in Victoria

Self-isolate upon return to New Zealand and get a test at day 3

Travel to the airport wearing facemasks and by safe travel, ie, not public transport.

Eligible people from New South Wales will continue to return on existing managed return flights. Returnees on these flights will be required to enter a managed isolation facility for at least 14 days on arrival in New Zealand.

Travel on all such flights will be limited to:

New Zealand citizens and holders of residence class visas;

Holders of temporary visas and Australian citizens, who last departed New Zealand after 5 April 2021;

Holders of current permanent residence visas (including a resident return visa) issued by the Government of Australia who last departed New Zealand after 5 April 2021; and

Relevant family members of people listed in the above categories. (Relevant family member means: a spouse, civil union partner, or de facto partner, a dependent child; or a parent of a dependent child. Parent, in relation to a dependent child, means a person on whom the child is dependant).

All travellers are asked to monitor themselves closely for any COVID-19 symptoms after arrival in the country and to diligently keep contact tracing records using the NZ COVID Tracer app or another form of diary.

Likewise, anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should stay at home, get tested, and remain in isolation until a negative test result is returned.

For more information, visit Unite Against COVID-19: https://covid19.govt.nz/travel/quarantine-free-travel/australia/

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135 Comments

by WestieAJ | 23rd Jul 21, 2:03pm 1627005824

Government admitting they are not capable of managing the risk. Well they couldn't manage to deliver a Pizza if you put them in charge of a Domino's. So no surprises then.

by Jesse1 | 23rd Jul 21, 2:14pm 1627006487

There are times to blame the government for things but this is a good call. How else do you think they should prevent the spread of the delta strain which has 1000 times the viral load?

by WestieAJ | 23rd Jul 21, 2:36pm 1627007806

Not blaming the government for Delta Variant. Just for lack of a plan to manage risk and some way out of this mess. Australian vaccination rate 29%. Australian media "Australian Vaccination Shambles". Scott Robinson forced to give national apology. New Zealand Vaccination rate 19%. New Zealand media "Government ahead of vaccination targets".

by Foxglove. | 23rd Jul 21, 3:54pm 1627012486

The government knows full well that NZ going into another nationwide lockdown will heavily count against them in the electorate. The popularity stakes are high, not to be put at risk at any cost. That too, is a priority contributing to today’s decision.

by Lanthanide | 23rd Jul 21, 3:08pm 1627009709

Just for lack of a plan to manage risk and some way out of this mess.

This is their plan. They said all along the bubble could be closed at short notice if there was uncontrolled community spread and that it was "traveller beware". Note that the bubble and the guidelines for it were announced before the world truly knew the threat posed by delta.

You should be annoyed at the NSW government, not the NZ government.

Australian vaccination rate 29%.

11.8% of Australians are fully vaccinated.

New Zealand Vaccination rate 19%

12.8% of New Zealanders are fully vaccinated.

Australia are only at 75% of their plan. We're at about 106% of our plan, hence why the Australian media are saying their plan is a shambles, and the NZ media are saying we're ahead of our vaccination targets - because we are factually ahead of our targets. You'll note there's also a lot of media commentary about NZ vaccination programme being too slow.

by WestieAJ | 23rd Jul 21, 4:32pm 1627014751

Maybe Australia's plan is a bit more ambitious than ours. They have administered 10.5 million doses in about the same time as we have done 1.5 million. One dose of any of the approved vaccines provides a hell of a lot more protection against symptoms, hospitalisation and death than no dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

by Lanthanide | 23rd Jul 21, 4:51pm 1627015869

You know why they've been able to do that? Because they've been locally producing Astra Zeneca vaccines. They aren't wholly reliant on a pharmaceutical giant that is attempting to equitably distribute vaccines around the world.

by WestieAJ | 23rd Jul 21, 5:16pm 1627017371

The 100% reliance on Pfizer was the governments call. A cynic might think it has the added bonus of giving them a big pharma whipping boy to blame for the slow roll out. Earlier this month the single dose J&J Vaccine was Medsafe approved. The only other vaccine approved for now. Dose not take a rocket scientist to figure out that J&J will be added to the roll out for group 4. Once we finally have the infrastructure built and the people available to administer the vaccine at scale. That is the only way the government has a shit show of making the end of year target.
But they only have only said that everyone will have been offered a chance to be vaccinated by end of 2021. Like now they offer every one a chance of a place in MIQ. But you just can't book one. Maybe some enterprising techies will design some code to allow you to book a vaccination without spending a day refreshing the website. But the website hasn't been turned on yet. Who knows. It might actually work and be user friendly.

by Lanthanide | 23rd Jul 21, 8:17pm 1627028256

The website has been turned on. I used it to book my group 4 vaccination on 2nd August. It was reasonably user friendly.

by Comyn | 24th Jul 21, 6:10pm 1627107002

He is talking about MIQ, It's virtually impossible to get a spot. NZ government has abandoned the Kiwi's overseas. Nearly every country help's there own Citizens back. Our government is disgusting, they spend more time on so called righteous babble than safely getting their own people home. If they really wanted to they would of made the system robust and made more spots. So many are stranded overseas and suffering.

by Pragmatist | 25th Jul 21, 1:15am 1627132504

He was not talking about MIQ, the words "book a vaccination" clearly show what he was talking about.

by Pragmatist | 25th Jul 21, 1:17am 1627132648

by Pragmatist | 25th Jul 21, 1:17am 1627132677

by WestieAJ | 26th Jul 21, 9:07am 1627247271

Sorry I saw this on the official Covid19 website and thought it might be true.
Book My Vaccine coming in July. The national COVID-19 vaccine booking system will be live from 28 July.
Maybe you got Beta access. As a friend of the show.

by kpnuts | 23rd Jul 21, 4:44pm 1627015481

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/world/covid-vaccinations-track… is as close to any for an accurate measure of testing -- certainly teh NZ figure is the same as on the MOH covid website yesterday.

be prepared to get a sore finger scrolling down to NZ - just below Grenada and just above Brunei -- Tragic really given our health system and government had all the advantages of being covid free - that our rates are a laughing stock -- a cynical person would think that we simply arent trying hard enough

interesting that we are tracking above our own target -- which shows the lack of aspirations our government have - unlioke the 100,000 extra homes - reduction on poverty and 30% reduction in prison population for example - now being at 13% after 6 months is considered above target !

by sparrow | 23rd Jul 21, 3:08pm 1627009692

Australian's who have received first dose only is at 29% (and most of them had AZ). Fully vaccinated is around 11%, somewhat less than NZ. Talk about cherry picking a stat to fit your narrative.

by Rex Pat | 23rd Jul 21, 4:09pm 1627013343

My wife and I are Group 4 and were vaccinated in June. The program is a shambles.

by frazz | 23rd Jul 21, 4:14pm 1627013662

It would be a shambles if you were not vaccinated surely? Let me guess retired boomer?

by Rex Pat | 23rd Jul 21, 10:25pm 1627035932

Boomer under 60. Working and paying the top tax rate. I find this shambles. I had to convince my 80 year old parents to stop waiting for an invite and go into the line for an adhoc dose. Sorry if that doesn’t suit your Party line.

by Gummy Bear Hero | 25th Jul 21, 11:08am 1627168121

.. you're correct , Rex ... it is a frigging shambles .... I'm hearing these Covid announcements several times an hour on the radio ... and I get it , it's important to be vaccinated when the call up comes ... but , where the bloody hell are they ... my 93 y.o. Mum has just been notified ... for a mid August jab ! ... Jacindas mob couldn't organise a piss up in a pub ...

by Foxglove. | 25th Jul 21, 12:25pm 1627172724

or a bubble in a Jacuzzi, more relatively?

by ham n eggs | 23rd Jul 21, 3:38pm 1627011492

"the delta strain which has 1000 times the viral load"

Source?

by Jesse1 | 23rd Jul 21, 3:59pm 1627012748

There are many but here is one: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/07/08/1013794996/why-the…

by ham n eggs | 23rd Jul 21, 4:17pm 1627013850

for a contrary view

https://www.bitchute.com/video/146lKuakCIJf/

by dcnbwz | 23rd Jul 21, 4:24pm 1627014272

You mean fake news conspiracy theory point of view.

by Mrs The Point | 23rd Jul 21, 8:06pm 1627027586

Dr. Andrew Kaufman is a Psychiatrist. hahahahaha

by Mrs The Point | 23rd Jul 21, 8:20pm 1627028415

D.P.

by Jesse1 | 23rd Jul 21, 4:28pm 1627014505

Watched the summary and he's trying to say there is no variant. He's saying the variant is used "by the establishment to create fear and change policies".
Why then was Sydney able to have a light lockdown last year with as much success as NZ and now they are having so much more trouble containing it?
Finally he says there is no virus... Why have people been dying over there?

It's good to find and explore alternative views on things and to test ideas. But just because something is alternative to what is said in the mainstream news doesn't make it true.

by lowercase capitalist | 23rd Jul 21, 4:38pm 1627015133

Npr seems a bit more trustworthy than whatever bitchute is.

by linklater01 | 24th Jul 21, 1:57pm 1627091828

ham n eggs,

And I thought you were quite sensible, but you are another lunatic conspiracy theorist.

by kpnuts | 23rd Jul 21, 4:12pm 1627013542

its a good call but at least a week late maybe more -- given their reason is the delta varient is more transmissable -- stands to reason they shoudl be going harder and earlier -- like teh day after the first case appeared in the community with no explanation or border connection !

by pacifica | 23rd Jul 21, 7:29pm 1627025393

Having the bubble open at all with very virulent strains and no way to manage or check everyone coming into the country before vaccinating the extremely vulnerable NZ population would have to be the stupidest decision based only on greed not good medical sense. A simple check of even the pre travel covid tests (where the pp cost was over $100) was not able to be managed by this govt. They literally have these people pass through the security gates fronting up to border workers and they couldn't even ask or look at the paperwork behind most of them leading to many NZ border faults.

by dcnbwz | 23rd Jul 21, 2:45pm 1627008323

What an ignorant comment. Really, lose the ideological blinkers, take a deep breath and think again

by Lanthanide | 23rd Jul 21, 3:02pm 1627009376

Government admitting they are not capable of managing the risk.

Er, no. This is them managing the risk.

by GV 27 | 23rd Jul 21, 3:56pm 1627012603

Exactly, and I note they didn't leave this one on the boil over the weekend like they did with the initial outbreak in NSW a couple of months ago. The situation changed so they changed their approach. Isn't that what we want them to do when it comes to risk management?

by WestieAJ | 23rd Jul 21, 3:59pm 1627012799

For example. The rule was that if you had been anywhere in Australia for more than 72 hrs you needed to have a pre departure test.
Hipkins said on Wednesday there was a “better than even chance” someone coming in would have their test checked, and infringement fines were being levied to encourage people to get tests.
“Every day we are looking to see how we can get more checking happening,” Hipkins said.
So translated. We only want to deploy the resources to check 50% of arrivals. So roll the dice and save yourself the $200 for a test.
If you get caught out you might get a fine. You might get sent home and told to isolate. If you are really unlucky you get sent to MIQ.
If you actually happened to have Covid (no one knows when you are at the airport) and were of a non compliant disposition and you didn't get sent to MIQ. Then what?

by frazz | 23rd Jul 21, 3:30pm 1627011000

Having fun in Covid free land..plonker!

by linklater01 | 23rd Jul 21, 4:08pm 1627013316

WestieAJ,

What an idiotic statement. There are many things for which this government can be rightly criticised, but the Delta variant isn't one of them. Shutting down the bubble is precisely the right thing to do, or are you in the Boris camp?
I see lots of posts here saying how appalling the government is, while out in the real world, most people actually support this government as the Ipsos poll so clearly showed.

by WestieAJ | 23rd Jul 21, 4:41pm 1627015260

Boris isn't perfect. But he was able to marshal the resources of a country of 66 million to vaccinate 500,000 people a day in the middle of a raging pandemic. So there is that.

by dcnbwz | 23rd Jul 21, 4:48pm 1627015707

Boris is appalling. His lack of action in the beginning cost tens of thousands of lives. His entire career is a privileged vanity project

by Comyn | 24th Jul 21, 6:34pm 1627108495

What nonsense, the reality of a lockdown which I'm in right now. I have been locked down in SE Asia for two months. What is actually happening, The Delta strain is increasing regardless of the lockdown. People are breaking, suicides', depression, domestic violence, crime surging, hunger. For you righteous who blame other nations for not locking down...Society is breaking! So easy to judge when your not in it the situation. There must be another way than continuous lockdowns, because it's not working against Delta.

Tell me do you really believe a population which is 20 Million or more can lockdown so long? At sometime people just need to vaccinate and open up. NZ is a different story as so isolated and has no close neighbors, illegals pouring in and can choose to stay locked down.

by False economies | 23rd Jul 21, 5:11pm 1627017064

"Boris isn't perfect"
That is the understatement of the century!

by linklater01 | 24th Jul 21, 2:03pm 1627092214

WestieAJ

"Boris isn't perfect". That's like saying that Trump has a few minor character faults. Boris and his cronies are appalling liars. Now, having made a disastrous Brexit deal, they are 'demanding' that the EU renegotiate it because it's too hard. Remember all these commercial fishermen who were enthusiastic Brexiteers? They are not smiling now. Brexit is a shambles.

by AndrewRiddell5886 | 23rd Jul 21, 5:44pm 1627019095

The government is, by this action, managing the risk.

by SmoKey | 24th Jul 21, 6:36am 1627065366

Wonder who really benefitedby the opening of the travel bubble in the first place. How many Aussie tourists came over and spent how much ? How many Kiwis went over ? May be only AirNZ had some revenue increase because of this.

by SmoKey | 24th Jul 21, 6:37am 1627065469

How many used MIQ during this opening ? Have they all paid the charges ? What is the outstanding uncollected dues to MIQ ?
How much was waived ?

by SmoKey | 24th Jul 21, 6:35am 1627065332

Some might have travelled to see relatives, sick and well.

by Passerby | 23rd Jul 21, 2:09pm 1627006192

No surprises here. I can’t believe this didn’t come earlier. We have been very lucky evading it in our shores thus far. And those who don’t bother coming back in the week, the should be no taxpayer footed MIQ.

by ikimpaul | 23rd Jul 21, 2:10pm 1627006220

Lucky that all the Australian school holidays finish today and there are no more Australian school holidays for exactly 8 weeks.

by Chris-M | 23rd Jul 21, 2:12pm 1627006343

Great news. About a week late. Given Delta, the only sensible thing to do is close the boarders down far tighter than we have in the past until we are all vaccinated. The risks are just too high and I am sure there are a whole bunch of risks that we are not fully aware of now. The unknown knowns and unknowns

by Carlos67 | 23rd Jul 21, 2:47pm 1627008473

I agree we now have to keep this Delta variant out until we have a high vaccination rate because if it cuts lose here we are in deep trouble.

by Variable Interest | 23rd Jul 21, 2:52pm 1627008735

Indeed,our recent and ongoing struggles with RSV give a clue to how well our health service would cope(and that is not meant to denigrate them).

by Chris-M | 23rd Jul 21, 3:06pm 1627009599

The correct description of the hospital system at the moment is disintegrating. They appear to be going backwards badly maintaining staff levels.

by Foxglove. | 23rd Jul 21, 7:02pm 1627023720

That is a very good and serious point. If NZ should reach say 70% immunisation of its population, the balance being refusers and unables, would still provide sufficient numbers to overwhelm our hospital services. As you say RSV unfortunately proves that point only too well. In this regard the government certainly has a conundrum on its hands. Vaccinated people are going to want to travel, there will be much disquiet and protest if they are prevented from doing so. Unquestionably that will lose votes.

by donny11 | 23rd Jul 21, 8:16pm 1627028204

Indeed, it is quite a quagmire. I imagine that once our vaccination rate is past 60% the govt will not opt for the necessary level 4 lockdown once delta slips in which it inevitably will. We will probably sit at level 2.5 for 6 months as the virus works its way though the population & the govt will just blame non vaccinated & non mask wearing people for the damage the virus causes. Politically this is the best option for the govt anyway.

by Lanthanide | 23rd Jul 21, 8:20pm 1627028421

Delta is so infectious that basically you get the vaccination or you get delta.

I suspect once delta is circulating in the community and deaths start occurring, there will be a little up tick in vaccinations as the anti-vax realise TINA, and that their friends and family that have had the vaccine haven't had terrible side effects.

by xingmowang | 23rd Jul 21, 2:12pm 1627006378

after the failed NZ-AUS bubble, having a bubble with China would be the best option for all.

but this bunch in charge do not have any guts and wisdom to make it happen.

phew... useless....

by Foxglove. | 23rd Jul 21, 2:49pm 1627008586

So even open travel with our closest neighbour could not be sustained, it was dodgy throughout anyway. What does that then suggest for the possibility for travel beyond Australia? And the answer folks lies in the question of vaccinations because either NZ stays in virtual self isolation for eternity or the government opens the borders once the population has a sufficient degree of immunisation across the board. What will they do? Don’t think they have any idea at all actually, but guess time will tell.

by Lanthanide | 23rd Jul 21, 3:22pm 1627010569

What will they do? Don’t think they have any idea at all actually

They have an expert advisory group considering this right now. No doubt the plan will have several potential tracks, depending on how COVID goes globally, whether it recedes, stays constant, or worsens due to new variants or vaccine failures.

by Northern Lights | 23rd Jul 21, 2:37pm 1627007852

China will have it's hands full managing it's own border with Myanmar. China has supported the military coup there and the Burmese generals are showing that they too couldn't manage their way out of a paper bag, never mind control a pandemic. Throwing doctors into jail because they are speaking out. Does that have a familiar ring to it? So an own goal by China.

by Brock Landers | 23rd Jul 21, 3:12pm 1627009975

Travel bubble with China to "stay safe" from the China virus?

I enjoy your comedy.

by SmoKey | 24th Jul 21, 7:05am 1627067106

Cut a Diamond with a Diamond. Works ?

by Cheetahlegs66 | 23rd Jul 21, 3:21pm 1627010496

The EU and the USA do not recognise the Chinese vaccine as being effective, hence vaccination with Sino-vac equates to not being vaccinated. Why would you want to go to the den of COVID-19 with a track record of disinformation, obfuscation and essentially zero vaccination?

by linklater01 | 23rd Jul 21, 4:15pm 1627013748

xing,

Country after country is finding out just how ineffective Sinovac really is. The last thing most people here want is hordes of poorly vaccinated Chinese, or even well vaccinated Chinese.
Unfortunately for our economy, I believe that we will come to regret our dependence on China as our main export market.

by HouseMouse | 23rd Jul 21, 6:06pm 1627020412

Sinovac, like many things made in China, is second rate.

by Foxglove. | 23rd Jul 21, 6:33pm 1627022021

Ah, well now. So it is said, these days even the Chinese are made in China. Accordingly your comment runs the real risk of being labelled as racist, even too, dastardly hate speech. Slippery verbal slopes abound all around these days don’t you know!

by Sluggy | 23rd Jul 21, 2:21pm 1627006902

So gutted, I was supposed to be sailing in the whitsundays in 2 days... and another massive knee jerk reaction from the government. I understand shutting down NSW and Victoria and maybe SA, but really, Qld, NT, WA Tassy - where is the risk ? We need to learn to live with this. Bubble NZ is wearing very thin.

by oldbloke1 | 23rd Jul 21, 2:26pm 1627007184

Isn't it boomers who are supposed to be selfish?

by Sluggy | 23rd Jul 21, 2:41pm 1627008113

How is going to QLD selfish, and floating around on a boat for a week. You would have some validity if it was NSW. We have to learn to live with it, its becoming clearer and clearer we cant beat it, locking yourself in the cupboard with your worry beads cant go on forever

by muzled | 23rd Jul 21, 2:50pm 1627008625

So you'd be ok if you took your holiday then somehow came back with it, passed it on to several family members and close friends and some of them died?

by Sluggy | 23rd Jul 21, 2:54pm 1627008847

Keep drinking the kool aid. I was in QLD 3 weeks ago for work, apparently my friends and family and me are all still alive.

by muzled | 23rd Jul 21, 3:29pm 1627010949

Nicely sidestepped the question though didn't you...

Are you aware of anything in Aus that has changed in the last 3 weeks sluggy?

Or do you just choose the narative that suits your sailing needs. Because lets face it, a sailing holiday is defintely a need.

by Sluggy | 23rd Jul 21, 4:10pm 1627013400

I'm aware not much has changed in qld. 25 active cases. About the same as here including my boaty friends.

by lowercase capitalist | 23rd Jul 21, 4:41pm 1627015317

Aren't all the cases here in managed isolation rather than the community? Slight difference there.

by Sluggy | 23rd Jul 21, 10:41pm 1627036879

Grow up, all cases in qld are in managed isolation.

by Sluggy | 23rd Jul 21, 10:41pm 1627036879

Grow up, all cases in qld are in managed isolation.

by linklater01 | 24th Jul 21, 2:10pm 1627092625

Sluggy,

"we have to learn to live with it" and of course, die-and those dying will not all be just the past their use by date elderly. As is becoming ever more apparent, long Covid is a significant issue for younger people.

by dcnbwz | 23rd Jul 21, 2:47pm 1627008457

Enough with the selfishness of individuals before others. Look at the science.

by Comyn | 24th Jul 21, 6:55pm 1627109747

The lockdowns however are not working. I'm in a lockdown over 2 months, delta is still spreading. Suicides', domestic violence, crime, depression, hunger are surging. Bigger populations can not lockdown for so long. The time is to get there hospitals and vaccinations up to speed. It's a like pissing against the wind to stop it spreading. The outcome of longer lockdown is society breakdown. Dammed if you do and dammed if you don't. However I want to choose how to live the rest of my life and it isn't locked down and afraid all the time. I'm all for vaccinations but forever lockdown aren't science.

by Lanthanide | 23rd Jul 21, 3:25pm 1627010717

Should've booked a holiday for Rarotonga instead, it was always a far better bet since they're only accepting travellers from NZ, whereas Aus is taking international flights.

Went to Airlee Beach and Whitsundays in Aug 2019. Was great.

by Officebound | 23rd Jul 21, 3:35pm 1627011327

Thoughts and prayers mate, really tough break to have to miss a sailing trip during a pandemic.

by Sluggy | 23rd Jul 21, 4:08pm 1627013324

First sensible comment in this thread.

by Sluggy | 25th Jul 21, 7:35pm 1627198531

No new cases in qld again today... ahhh the logic...

by house hunter | 23rd Jul 21, 2:37pm 1627007854

This means RBNZ has to lower interest rates, right?

by HouseMouse | 23rd Jul 21, 2:59pm 1627009148

Well, it certainly might be a factor in not raising them.
Everyone has been premature in talking up OCR hikes.

by SmoKey | 24th Jul 21, 7:09am 1627067370

And Banks are making hay while the sun shines. With rates already increased, they are on a good wicket. May be thery turned on the Sun ?

by Carlos67 | 23rd Jul 21, 2:42pm 1627008175

"Where the bloody hell are you"......."Getting the bloodly hell out Bro"

by CWBW | 23rd Jul 21, 2:49pm 1627008596

Good to see an uptick of Kiwis coming back probably more for WINZ than anything else. Good for housing too.

by dcnbwz | 23rd Jul 21, 3:37pm 1627011441

Nice trolling. Or if you mean what you say, you live in a very different, privileged world.

by CWBW | 23rd Jul 21, 3:43pm 1627011808

Ah yes, privilege and patriarchy evils abound the internet- or maybe it's just you?

When COVID broke and everywhere in Aussie gets a lock down, the torrent of Kiwis returning must had missed home all at the same time.

by dcnbwz | 23rd Jul 21, 4:26pm 1627014375

Care to clarify the WINZ comment then?

by linklater01 | 24th Jul 21, 2:12pm 1627092741

CWBW,

And your have evidence to back up your assertion? No? Thought not.

by Myfoot Bhompson | 23rd Jul 21, 3:10pm 1627009817

Just over 20,000 NZers have travelled to Australia and not returned since the bubble opened, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said.
The brain drain started early!

by pacifica | 23rd Jul 21, 7:24pm 1627025054

more than 3 decades ago, they must have been precogs about the housing crisis, and employment wages in NZ.

by J.C. | 23rd Jul 21, 3:10pm 1627009820

What about the rugger? Surely this cannot happen.

by Foxglove. | 23rd Jul 21, 3:14pm 1627010099

Surely arrangements that were in place last year can be reinstalled? Might mean some postponement, but not insurmountable if they really want to play.

by WestieAJ | 23rd Jul 21, 4:50pm 1627015802

Surprise surprise. They already had a plan for that.
However, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed there was an avenue the Wallabies might be able to utilise to travel to New Zealand.
Courtesy of an economic impact exemption, they could travel to New Zealand within the seven-day window returning Kiwis can utilise, potentially remaining in the country for an extended Rugby Championship stint, which could result in the All Blacks hosting all three Bledisloe tests.
Focus group says don't mess with the All Blacks. Tick.

by FCM | 23rd Jul 21, 3:11pm 1627009914

Bigger risk is letting foreign fishing vessels into NZ ports full of it. the get refuelled, re stocked, engineers work on them while in port. If this Delta variant hangs around like they say, this is a bigger risk.

by Nifty1 | 23rd Jul 21, 4:13pm 1627013581

Clearly the only bubble the government will let pop...

by Lanthanide | 23rd Jul 21, 4:56pm 1627016189

This bubble was wholly the creation of this government, and one which they have total control over. It's also for the most part a "nice to have" rather than a necessity of daily living.

Any other bubbles you're talking about, not so much.

by Foxglove. | 23rd Jul 21, 5:27pm 1627018068

Alongside that though is the questionable capability of the MoH. This government, and I believe a National type government would have found it no different, has copped a lot of flak that has arisen from mistakes, mishaps and contradictions that can be sheeted home to the MoH. For instance the almost fateful decision not to quarantine rest homes etc early, the reprehensible attitude to not carry out the Minister’s instruction re testing frontline border staff, but to say that they were. And to be fair to this government they have stayed loyal to that staff, and taken it on the chin. But it is not difficult to imagine that the parade of such events has caused quite some loss of confidence and they cannot but factor in those concerns with a view to how well an outbreak might be managed and contained,next time. Best to close the door and not let the threat in then.

by Lanthanide | 23rd Jul 21, 8:23pm 1627028624

Yes, good perspective.

by Myfoot Bhompson | 23rd Jul 21, 5:35pm 1627018548

There are huge amount of misinformation about Covid out there and this is my own experience; so far I have received two doses of Astra Zeneca and the signal on my 5G phone has not improved one bit, zilt, not even 1% improvement!

by John2 | 23rd Jul 21, 8:12pm 1627027975

That is because you haven't taken the finger (antenna) out of your backside.

by Smudge02 | 23rd Jul 21, 6:46pm 1627022768

A Trans Tasman Bubble should never have been even thought about until vaccination was >70%. Pour every resource into vaccinating the population, then celebrate by opening a bubble with a hugely reduced risk exposure. I know there was a lot of pressure to open the bubble but the focus HAS to be vaccination to get ahead of this virus.

by John2 | 23rd Jul 21, 8:10pm 1627027822

It beggars disbelief that despite nearly all COVID deaths in US are now among unvaccinated, there are idiots still spreading misinformation and conspiracies.

by Lanthanide | 23rd Jul 21, 8:25pm 1627028730

The republican party has pivoted to being pro-vax now, too.

by Carlos67 | 24th Jul 21, 6:52am 1627066360

I think its getting almost impossible to find the actual truth out there now. Careful who you label idiots, some of us prefer to have ALL the information out there so we can make an informed judgement. When you start to get information censored to fit only one narrative we are in trouble. Perhaps have a look at this. https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/inventor-of-mrna-technology-removed-f…

by Toynbee | 24th Jul 21, 5:59pm 1627106359

The inventor of the PCR test had some interesting things to say as well.

by John2 | 24th Jul 21, 10:43pm 1627123417

very credible source

https://www.lifesitenews.com/blogs/gay-conservatives-you-can-learn-from…

Seems God couldn't save you- hit by a lighting strike
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/notice-lifesitenews.com-will-be-under…

by Lord Dowding | 23rd Jul 21, 10:09pm 1627034979

The UK has double jabbed nearly 70% of its adult population.

What’s NZ’s rate? Who here has been double jabbed? I have been and I suspect I’m one of very few.

by Lanthanide | 23rd Jul 21, 11:49pm 1627040978

12.8%.

On Google just search for " COVID vaccination" and it will give you a graph showing 1st and 2nd doses and the fully vaccinated percentage.

by Squishy | 24th Jul 21, 6:13am 1627063994

The UK dumped a few $bn into funding research early in 2020, that included setting up local production and pre-purchasing vaccines from various companies they where front of the queue. We didn't even sign a deal with BioNTech/Pfizer until they announced a working vaccine ready for production in October last year and even then it was only a small batch, the contract for enough to cover the country was signed in March this year. We snoozed and we lost our opportunity to be early recipients.

Incidentally I note that UK Covid-19 cases appear to be falling again over the last few days now despite the end of most restrictions. They might have turned a corner?

by False economies | 24th Jul 21, 9:39am 1627076356

Yep, the UK has managed covid so well. Wish I'd been there for the past year...not!
That small drop might just be the blip from the soccer abating but the overall trend is going to be up I'm betting

by Squishy | 24th Jul 21, 5:58am 1627063135

Fair enough, government need to play for time until November when the'll have the vaccine program finished. They'll want to give everyone who wants the vaccine the opportunity to have one.

However I'm also looking forwards to the subsequent freedom to see family, travel, tourism to return and New Zealands international business to rebound.

by nigelh | 24th Jul 21, 10:31pm 1627122667

I hope you are right. My prediction is only 70% fully vaccinated by end march 2022.

by LouB | 24th Jul 21, 10:57am 1627081028

Good morning Jenee
Perhaps you would shed some light on a question I've been pondering:
What is the net benefit to NZ from international tourism?
I understand the NZ unemployment rate is relatively low at +/-4.7% and the government revenue take is continuing stronger than budgeted.
My gut feeling based on the understanding that tourism was the #1 export earner pre-covid, was that unemployment and tax take would have taken a massive hit.
I'm wondering whether the tourism sector, although attracting high income, had low profitability, hence low contribution to national tax revenue?
Just curious.
Thanks

by PonziKiwi | 24th Jul 21, 12:42pm 1627087375

Absolutely we will be in lockdown in the next two weeks. I made a prediction in April that in October the reserve bank will offer accounts to the public for their CBDC. No interest rate rises and the banks will be allowed to collapse. The central bank will honor deposits and you will pay your mortgage to them.

We will have one bank in nz as will all nations. Only diverse and green styles businesses will be allowed loans and you will need to tow the line.

by dcnbwz | 24th Jul 21, 2:40pm 1627094434

Wow. Conspiracy theories abound.

by linklater01 | 25th Jul 21, 10:31am 1627165862

Ponzikiwi,

"We will have one bank in nz as will all nations. Only diverse and green styles businesses will be allowed loans and you will need to tow the line."

You're good for a laugh on a dull day. When is this going to happen?

by Halfway To Paradise | 24th Jul 21, 5:12pm 1627103528

I have been saying for a longtime that they are going to keep Covid going to the next election. It is all they have done that they can fight the election on. It won them the last election and they are hoping it will win them the next.

by Solve_it | 24th Jul 21, 5:58pm 1627106323

Double post

by Solve_it | 24th Jul 21, 5:57pm 1627106233

Yes they are controlling the international news media to do this too. The global covid phenomenon is just a construct of a small countries underfunded leading political party's dash for an unchecked dictatorship...

by Halfway To Paradise | 24th Jul 21, 5:12pm 1627103531

by Halfway To Paradise | 24th Jul 21, 5:12pm 1627103538

by Halfway To Paradise | 24th Jul 21, 5:12pm 1627103554

by Halfway To Paradise | 24th Jul 21, 5:12pm 1627103556

by Halfway To Paradise | 24th Jul 21, 5:12pm 1627103558

by Halfway To Paradise | 24th Jul 21, 5:12pm 1627103559

by John2 | 25th Jul 21, 11:38am 1627169929

So what are you proposing we should do ?
Open the borders to any T, D and Harry?
get the Delta variant spread like wildfire, healthcare overwhelmed, right in the middle of winter, babies dying because there is no spaces left for respiratory illnesses
Do you trust the current Muppets to manage the MIQ
Borrow more, (($trillion already) to get across over the line ?

by Halfway To Paradise | 24th Jul 21, 5:12pm 1627103560

by Foxglove. | 24th Jul 21, 6:38pm 1627108703

Agree you have been saying that for a long time. No doubt about that. Just hit the pause rather than the post tab, and try and sleep easy. We hear you echoing!

by 7jai | 24th Jul 21, 7:27pm 1627111652

If you think about it, the country of New Zealand is in it's own bubble lockdown. It will continue to be "locked down" from every global country for a long time. The Labor strategy is clear - eliminate at all costs. Their 'strategy' is to lock the NZ doors, throw away the key, noone can come in, noone can come out. Easy as.

Let's all enjoy another 3 years of zero travel!

by Carlos67 | 25th Jul 21, 12:15pm 1627172116

Things not looking good in Aussie, the Muppets cannot pull their heads in and stay at home and are out in protest groups instead. I would say that the odds are now even they have lost control of the spread of the Delta variant. If the numbers continue to increase, even during a "Lockdown" then they are screwed.

by Sluggy | 25th Jul 21, 7:36pm 1627198607

It's only nsw where the Bogans are out