Territory set to welcome New Zealand visitors without needing to quarantine

NEW Zealanders will be welcomed into the Territory without needing to quarantine in just two weeks’ time under a new agreement

• It’s official: NZ travel bubble deal sealed with NT

NEW Zealanders will be welcomed into the Territory in just two weeks under a new agreement between the New Zealand, Australian and Territory governments.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack announced the plans for the travel bubble today, which is set to come into effect from October 16.

Mr McCormack said he had just got off the phone to NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner who had told him, “The fish are biting and the beers are cold!”

The travel bubble plans between the Northern Territory and New Zealand were announced today by Deputy prime Minister Michael McCormack. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Adam Yip

The bubble will initially operate only one way initially, with New Zealanders able to come to the NT and NSW without having to quarantine, with Mr McCormack saying he hopes Australians will be welcomed to New Zealand shortly, but the choice will be left up to New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

“The NT and New South Wales are very much open,” he said.

Mr McCormack said South Australia’s Premier Steven Marshall was also on board with the idea, and would likely be the “next cab off the rank” to welcome New Zealanders.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the travel bubble will be a major boost for tourism and local jobs.

“This is the first stage of the Australia-New Zealand travel zone – and the Territory is getting the first big win,” he said.

He said parts of New Zealand can still be declared a hotspot and hot spot policies will still apply to impacted areas.

“The safety of Territorians is always our number one priority. But if they are as safe as we are, then we are happy to have them here,” Mr Gunner said.

“We can’t wait to share the Territory lifestyle with our Kiwi cousins.”

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Acting chief executive of the Department of Tourism Andrew Hopper said. the Department has been preparing for the time when international tourists are allowed back in.

“We’ve done a lot of working around marketing planning [which is] ready and waiting to be implemented,” Mr Hopper said.

“We are really excited about this.

“The NT has something really really unique to offer. It’s a really exciting climate.”

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said the airline is likely to include new routes from New Zealand that the Group has not previously offered.”

Department of Tourism acting chief executive Andrew Hopper said the sector is thrilled about today’s announcement.

There have not previously been any direct flights between Darwin and New Zealand.

“Qantas and Jetstar are immediately preparing schedules to offer flights between New Zealand and Australia, in-line with the framework announced today,” Mr Joyce said.

Mr McCormack said the travel bubble will likely be extended to out countries in the future.

“We want to open up Australia to the world, this may well be extended,” Mr McCormack said.

New Zealand is currently the NT’s seventh leading international tourist market.

About 13,000 Kiwis came to the Territory in the year ending March 2020, with an average spend of $1400 per person.

It is understood New Zealanders are not eligible for the $5 million Territory tourism discount scheme at this stage.

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