New Zealand to open international borders fully to visitors from end-July

WELLINGTON (Reuters) – New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stated on Wednesday the nation will absolutely reopen its worldwide borders from 11:59 p.m. on July 31, with cruise ships additionally welcome again to native ports on the identical day.

The tip-July opening of the border is 2 months sooner than the federal government’s earlier time-frame and can imply guests who want visas will now have the ability to come to New Zealand.

Ardern stated in a speech to a Enterprise NZ lunch in Auckland that opening the borders would assist to alleviate pressing abilities shortages, open up tourism and put immigration settings on a safer footing.

“We’re constructing on our confirmed plan to safe New Zealand’s financial future,” Ardern stated.

(Reporting by Lucy Craymer; Enhancing by Tom Hogue)