A new maritime exception will allow entry to those arriving at the maritime border, where there is a compelling need for the vessel to travel to New Zealand. Compelling needs include vessels to be delivered for refit and repair, responding to emergency and humanitarian situations, crew changes, discharge of catch or resupply.
Most maritime journeys to New Zealand take more than 14 days so crew and others will self-isolate en-route, and won’t impact New Zealand’s quarantine capacity.
All arriving vessels will still be monitored and public health measures may still be required, for example if the journey was shorter or there is illness on board.
The new maritime exception does not support the eligibility for granting of visas and entry to foreign nationals on yachts seeking to travel to winter over in New Zealand or travelling primarily for pleasure.
The entry of a vessel and crew to New Zealand for refit and repair has been reviewed since it was first announced and expressly includes yachts under 25m. This review however is based on economic considerations and the details are still to be confirmed. A ‘compelling need’ would not cover a small repair (e.g. retouching of chrome or small paint job).
NZ Marine met with the government on Monday 29th June and are working to ensure considerations for yachts under 25m are confirmed at a suitable level.
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This information has not been independently verified.