ISSUE
Friday, August 15, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 72
New Zealanders overseas told window to return home amid coronavirus 'almost completely closed'.
If you're a New Zealander and still overseas - stay where you are, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.
There are tens of thousands of kiwis still abroad as the deadline for the country-wide lockdown at 11.59 p.m. on Wednesday approaches.
"Since 18 March, we have been warning New Zealanders offshore that the window for flying home was closing," Peters said.
"A week later, it has now almost completely closed.
"It has become very difficult to return to New Zealand from all around the world."
Many of the transit hubs relied on to get people home were no longer available, he said.
"We are reaching a point where the best option for most New Zealanders offshore is to shelter in place, by preparing to safely stay where they are. This includes following the instructions of the local authorities and the advice of the World Health Organisation."
For the few New Zealanders who had the option to come home, they had to work on getting here as a matter of "absolute urgency".
Government-assisted flights home were being considered but there was no guarantee they could take place.
The government would provide consular assistance overseas where possible.
New Zealanders overseas were advised to register on SafeTravel and check the website regularly for up-to-date advice.
New Zealanders overseas told window to return home amid coronavirus 'almost completely closed'.
If you're a New Zealander and still overseas - stay where you are, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.
There are tens of thousands of kiwis still abroad as the deadline for the country-wide lockdown at...
New Zealanders overseas told window to return home amid coronavirus 'almost completely closed'.
If you're a New Zealander and still overseas - stay where you are, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.
There are tens of thousands of kiwis still abroad as the deadline for the country-wide lockdown at 11.59 p.m. on Wednesday approaches.
"Since 18 March, we have been warning New Zealanders offshore that the window for flying home was closing," Peters said.
"A week later, it has now almost completely closed.
"It has become very difficult to return to New Zealand from all around the world."
Many of the transit hubs relied on to get people home were no longer available, he said.
"We are reaching a point where the best option for most New Zealanders offshore is to shelter in place, by preparing to safely stay where they are. This includes following the instructions of the local authorities and the advice of the World Health Organisation."
For the few New Zealanders who had the option to come home, they had to work on getting here as a matter of "absolute urgency".
Government-assisted flights home were being considered but there was no guarantee they could take place.
The government would provide consular assistance overseas where possible.
New Zealanders overseas were advised to register on SafeTravel and check the website regularly for up-to-date advice.
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