New Zealand Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Manatū Aorere
29 April 2020
195 Lambton Quay
Private Bag 18−901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
P Mittal
T +64 4 439 8000
[FYI request #12547 email]
F +64 4 472 9596
Dear P Mittal
I refer to your email of 28 March 2020 in which you request the following under the Official
Information Act 1982 (OIA):
“Request you to please provide country /location wise details and numbers of New
Zealand citizens and permanent residents travelling overseas currently registered on
safe travel website that are stranded overseas due to closure of borders due to covid-
19 pandemic.”
Please note that many Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade staff are now working remotely
and still deeply involved with issues relating to COVID-19, which is putting continuing
pressure on business as usual work; however we are doing our best to process all of our
requests where possible.
The Ministry is providing advice and support to a large number of New Zealanders overseas.
The support differs depending on their individual circumstances and where in the world they
are. The situation around the world is very complex as many countries have closed their
borders and restricted the ability for travellers to transit through their countries, and
commercial airlines have greatly reduced their flight schedules.
All New Zealanders overseas are urged to follow the advice of local authorities and the
World Health Organization, register on Safetravel.govt.nz, and contact their nearest New
Zealand Embassy, High Commission or Consulate if they require consular assistance.
Anyone needing assistance can also call the consular emergency line on +64 99 2020 20
(if overseas) or 0800 30 10 30. More information and advice is on the SafeTravel website:
www.safetravel.govt.nz. I have been advised that, as at 7 April 2020, 22,832 individuals were registered on
SafeTravel. Of this, 5252 were travelling and 17,580 were residing overseas. You do not
need to be a New Zealand Citizen to register on SafeTravel.
e [MFAT request email]
w www.mfat.govt.nz
Page 2 of 2
A breakdown of SafeTravel registrants by region is shown below:
Region
Travelling
Residing
Total
Africa
339
340
679
Antarctica
5
-
5
Australia
375
2464
2839
Caribbean
16
43
59
Central Asia
14
34
48
South America
301
153
454
Europe
1245
5598
6843
Middle East
132
1568
1700
North America
504
2210
2714
North Asia
373
2191
2564
Pacific
328
820
1148
South Asia
853
352
1205
Southeast Asia
767
1807
2574
TOTAL
5252
17580
22832
As at 7 April 2020, we have records of 2940 calls or enquiries regarding COVID-19. Of
these, 697 have been identified as from travellers wishing to return to New Zealand.
Please note that this letter (with your personal details redacted) may be published on the
Ministry’s website.
You have the right under section 28(3) of the OIA to seek a review of this response by the
Ombudsman.
Yours sincerely
Wendy Adams
for Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade