Ref: DOIA 2021-1465
24 March 2021
Craig MacDonell
[FYI request #14374 email]
Dear Craig
As you know, the Ministry of Health transferred part of your request to them dated 11 January 2021 on
the 9 February 2021 to the Ministry of Building, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), requesting, under
the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following information relating to Managed Isolation and
Quarantine (MIQ):
Please provide an explanation of the consultation undertaken with overseas residents around
the introduction of the original MIQ allocation system and charges and the additional testing
requirements announced for high-risk countries (given the time to implement since the
beginning of the pandemic). Please include reference to costs borne by the passenger, as well as
the MIQ procedure for changing flights and days of arrival’
MBIE has considered your request under the provisions of the Act, and can confirm that no consultation
was undertaken with overseas residents around the introduction of the original Managed Isolation
Allocation System and charges. Therefore we are refusing your request under section 18(e) of the Act as
the document alleged to contain the information requested does not exist.
As at 5 March, over 117,585 returnee guests had been through MIQ facilities since March 2020. We
ensure that the following website is kept up-to-date with any latest developments:
https://www.miq.govt.nz/
https://www.miq.govt.nz/travel-to-new-zealand/secure-your-place-in-managed-isolation/
We acknowledge that travelling around the world right now is not simple or easy and we do expect
people who intend on travelling to New Zealand to ensure they conduct the relevant research in
advance to prepare for their travel.
Since MIAS was introduced, we have made a number of updates and enhancements to the system as we
address the changing global situation, user behaviour and changes in requirements. We have also
implemented a process of staggering the release of spaces on the site to make them accessible to
people in different time zones. Since late January, people in 189 different countries have secured a
voucher to travel to New Zealand.
MIAS helps us manage the timing of people entering New Zealand so we can reserve them a space in a
managed isolation facility, which is vital to keep them and all New Zealanders safe. A small number of
places do become available from time to time if people cancel their vouchers so we recommend people
check in regularly to see if space has opened up on their preferred dates.
15 Stout Street, Wellington 6140 New Zealand
E [email address]
T +64 4 472 0030
W www.mbie.govt.nz
I trust you find this information helpful, however, you also have the right to seek an investigation and
review of this response by the Ombudsman, in accordance with section 28(3) of the Act. Information
about how to make a complaint is available, at:
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz. Yours sincerely
Christina Sophocleous-Jones
General Manager National Operations Services
Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ)
