Pacific Covid update

Fiji © Island Cruising NZ

While many of the Pacific Borders remain closed, the situation remains fluid. We will aim to keep you updated with news and updates as they come to hand.

Please note these updates can change any time! Keep an eye on our Facebook page for extra information.

New Zealand

The New Zealand Maritime border is still closed.

New Zealand vessels are able to enter New Zealand provided the skipper is reasonably satisfied that every person on board is either a New Zealand citizen or meets New Zealand's visa requirements.

Foreign flagged vessels are not permitted to arrive unless certain criteria are met and permission has been granted by New Zealand's Director-General of Health. Additionally, any non-New Zealand citizens on board must meet the necessary visa requirements. Permission must be sought from Immigration New Zealand for non-New Zealand citizens on board to enter New Zealand.

Vessels may be exempt if there is a compelling need for the vessel to arrive in New Zealand for:

• reprovisioning and/or refuelling OR
• the purpose of delivering the vessel to a business which includes for the purpose of repairing or refitting the vessel AND
• the Director-General has granted the vessel permission to arrive in New Zealand.

A vessel may also be exempt if the Director-General has granted permission for the vessel to arrive in New Zealand for humanitarian reasons or other compelling needs.

Contact us for more information if you are planning on coming to NZ.

Fiji

Fiji's "Blue Lane" has allowed a number of yachts to enter the country for cruising. We think about 11 boats from NZ have gone to Fiji this season.

Fiji has recently experienced a Covid outbreak and the community was locked down. Restrictions have recently been relaxed but some communities are understandably still concerned about the chances of infection and are not allowing sailors to go ashore. There are currently around 150 new cases of Covid each day being reported.

Join the Sailing and Cruising Fiji group for extra information and advice.

Vanuatu

All ports of entry are closed until further notice.

Cook Islands

The Cook Islands Maritime border is closed. People who have been in New Zealand for 14 days can fly in to the Cook Islands without quarantine. We have heard of one yacht sailing from Tahiti to NZ that was permitted to stop in Aitutaki to take on extra kiwi crew and spare parts. The sailors were unable to go ashore.

New Caledonia

The borders to New Caledonia remain closed until further notice. No commercial passenger flights or vessels are allowed in to the country.

Australia

The maritime border is closed. Only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can enter Australia by sea. All crew must be isolated in mandatory quarantine. accommodation for 14 days on arrival

You must provide arrival information in advance.

People in New Zealand can fly across the Tasman but the maritime border is still closed.

We are working with our partners Down Under Rally to lobby for the Trans-Tasman maritime border to open as well.

Niue

The Niue border is closed to all yachts until further notice.

French Polynesia

It is forbidden for any pleasure boat arriving in French Polynesia to call, anchor or park, or disembark at sea any person in the internal waters and territorial sea of French Polynesia until further notice.

Tonga

Tonga's maritime border is closed until further notice.

Samoa

International borders remain closed until further notice.