9 March 2022
Ref: DOIA 2122-1443
Harry Tothill
[FYI request #18257 email]
Dear Harry
Thank you for your email of 19 January 2022 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
(the Ministry), requesting the following information under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act):
1. The number of New Zealand citizens who have entered New Zealand without a confirmed MIQ
allocation, since the commencement of the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border)
Order (No 2) 202 ("the order"), other than persons exempt from clause 8(2A) by or under the
order.
2. If different from (1) above, the number of New Zealand citizens who MBIE understands to have
boarded flights to New Zealand as transit passengers without a confirmed allocation, but who
entered New Zealand upon arrival, since the commencement of the order.
3. Details of the MIQ arrangements made for persons identified in (1) or (2) above, including
whether each was accommodated in MIQ facilities, the duration of stay for each, and the fees
(if any) charged to each person.
4. Details of infringement notices issued to persons identified in (1) or (2) above under the order,
including
a) whether each was considered "high risk", "medium risk" or "low risk", and
b) the penalty (if any) for each case.
Please refer to the Ministry’s response below:
Question 1:
The number of New Zealand citizens who have entered New Zealand without a confirmed
MIQ allocation, since the commencement of the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Air Border) Order (No
2) 202 ("the order"), other than persons exempt from clause 8(2A) by or under the order.
Since 3 November 2020, 151 New Zealanders have entered New Zealand without a voucher through the
Air Border. Similarly, 5 New Zealanders have entered New Zealand without a voucher through the
Maritime Border. Please note prior to the Managed Isolation Allocation System (MIAS) was set up in
November 2020, travellers did not require a MIQ voucher before flying to New Zealand.
Question 2:
If different from (1) above, the number of New Zealand citizens who MBIE understands to
have boarded flights to New Zealand as transit passengers without a confirmed allocation, but who
entered New Zealand upon arrival, since the commencement of the order.
Since December 2021, 11 New Zealanders have boarded flights to New Zealand as transit passengers
without a confirmed allocation and did not take their ongoing flight and chose to remain in New
Zealand.
Question 3: Details of the MIQ arrangements made for persons identified in (1) or (2) above, including
whether each was accommodated in MIQ facilities, the duration of stay for each, and the fees (if any)
charged to each person.
The persons identified in
questions 1 and
2, were accommodated in MIQ facilities for the required
isolation period of either 14 days or 7 days (depending on the isolation requirement at the time of their
entry). Similarly, they were invoiced the room charges as per their isolation period and if they intended
to remain in New Zealand for less than 90/180 days.
For those returnees who are required to pay, some could be granted a full or partial waiver of fees in
cases of financial hardship or other special circumstances. The details of who is liable for charges can be
found at:
www.miq.govt.nz/charges-for-managed-isolation/who-needs-to-pay-for-managed-isolation/.
Points of reference:
Individuals who enter New Zealand without vouchers are required to complete their full stay in
managed isolation. However, under the Maritime Border when a New Zealander has requested to
depart the ship/vessel, a medical officer of health conducts an assessment if they are of risk to the
community. Where a risk is identified by a medical officer, individuals are required to come into
managed isolation to complete their required stay. Where there are no risks identified, individuals are
allowed to enter the country and asked to self-isolate.
Under the Air Border Order (No 2) 2020, airline crews who have travelled overseas for training purposes
for less than 7 days, are not required to come into MIQ or self-isolate. If crew members have been away
for 7-14 days, they are required to self-isolate. Please note that MIQ can only track those individuals
who have been away for longer than 14 consecutive days and are required to go into MIQ.
Question 4: Details of infringement notices issued to persons identified in (1) or (2) above under the
order, including
a) whether each was considered "high risk", "medium risk" or "low risk", and
b) the penalty (if any) for each case.
Our response to
question 3 under
Points of reference answer point (a) of this question. That is, risk was
not a consideration for those arriving by air with all air arrivals being required to undertake managed
isolation, however, it was a consideration taken into account by a medical officer of health for maritime
arrivals.
Regarding point (b), unplanned entries have had the potential to overwhelm the MIQ system and risk
the health and safety of New Zealanders and anyone arriving without an MIQ voucher are referred to
the Police. We can confirm that no infringement notices have been issued to any persons by the New
Zealand Police.
Some information relating to fines on a failure to comply with the legal requirements under the COVID-
19 Public Health Response Regulations 2021 can be found in the public domain. The penalties are set
out here:
www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2021/0393/latest/LMS600713.html.
You have the right to seek investigation and review of my decision by the Ombudsman, in accordance
with section 28(3) of the Act. The relevant details can be found at
: www.ombudsman.parliament.nz.
Yours sincerely
Russel Burnard
General Manager, MIQ National Operations Services
Managed Isolation and Quarantine
