When And Where Can New Zealanders Travel This Winter?

Rounding up key updates, Culture Trip reports on the latest travel advice for New Zealanders.

In destinations such as Canada and Australia, domestic travel restrictions differ from one region or territory to the next. This does not apply in New Zealand, where travel across the country is fully open.

The status of movement in New Zealand

After many weeks of lockdown, New Zealand was declared Covid-19 free on 8 June, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern lifting lockdown restrictions and announcing that “public transport and travel across the country is fully opened”. However, with recent reports of new cases, talk of stricter measures being implemented once again is now circulating.

As it stands, however, domestic travel is on the cards, with a reduced air service in operation.

Where can we fly from Auckland?

Flights are operating to and from Christchurch, Gisborne, Kerikeri, Napier, Nelson, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Tauranga, Wellington, Whangarei, Queenstown, Rotorua, Dunedin and Blenheim.

Flights are operating to and from Queenstown

Where can we fly from Wellington?

Flights are operating to and from New Plymouth, Rotorua, Tauranga and Dunedin.

Where can we fly from Christchurch?

Flights are operating to and from Dunedin, Invercargill, Nelson, Palmerston North, Wellington, Queenstown, Hamilton, Hokitika and Tauranga.

New Zealand’s air and sea borders are still closed

What about travelling overseas?

It’s a no, unfortunately. A travel ban is in place, with the air and sea borders closed in a bid to control the spread of Covid-19. However, you can apply for a visa if you have a critical reason for travel.

Can we travel back to New Zealand from overseas?

If you’re a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, then yes. This also goes for those who are partners of, or dependent children to, a New Zealand citizen or resident.

The Guardian reports that “New Zealand is introducing stricter measures to strengthen its border as more citizens access increased flights to come home”. This includes 14 days in a quarantine hotel, for which returnees may have to personally bear the cost. “Ardern said she was considering the option of making those coming into the country pay for their time in quarantine, rather than the government footing the bill.”

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.