Jacinda Ardern slammed for ‘bad’ Covid holiday rule impacting Australians

An Australian radio presenter has hit out at NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern over a Covid rule that will impact Aussie holiday-makers.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been ripped into by media personality Michelle Stephenson, after the Today Show panellist found out she might have to isolate for an upcoming Kiwi winter holiday.

Ms Stephenson said she had booked a skiing trip to New Zealand for July after Ms Ardern announced the border would be open to Australians.

But what she missed was the small detail specifying the self-isolation requirement of up to 10 days.

Ms Stephenson – who is also the national news director for radio stations Nova and Smooth FM – cancelled the ski trip as a result.

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There are concerns any form of ‘self-isolation’ upon entering NZ will be enough to turn travellers away. Picture: John Borren/Getty Images

“I wish to visit your fine country in July to hit the slopes and am willing to chance the fact that you haven’t set a firm date,” she wrote on Twitter.

“But then I saw that you require fully vaccinated travellers to self isolate for ten days and I lol’d and cancelled my bookings.”

Prime Minister Ardern announced New Zealand’s reopening plan earlier this month, stipulating when and how the country will be fully reopened.

Michelle Stephenson said she cancelled her trip to New Zealand.

From February 27, New Zealanders and limited other travellers arriving from Australia only will be able to enter New Zealand without entering mandatory quarantine. They will have to self-isolate on arrival.

From March 14, NZ citizens from anywhere in the world will be able to cross the border without entering mandatory quarantine. They will also have to self-isolate on arrival.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern released the nation’s reopening plan earlier this month. Picture: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images

From April 12, temporary visa holders and international students will be able to enter New Zealand.

From a date in July which is yet to be confirmed, Australian citizens as well as travellers from a number of other countries will be allowed into New Zealand. But it’s likely self isolation will remain necessary.

The self-isolation period is currently 10 days and will only be dropped to seven days when New Zealand enters phase two of its Omicron response strategy.

From October, the border opens to all New Zealand visa holders around the world.