Leaving New Zealand

Plan before you travel

Before travelling overseas we recommend you check the requirements of the country you are travelling to. Check:

• the official website of the country you wish to enter or transit, or
• that country’s diplomatic representative in New Zealand.

Many countries require travellers to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival, or have a negative COVID-19 test result before they can travel.

Travel advice for New Zealanders

Travel advice for foreign nationals

If you are a foreign national travelling in New Zealand, we recommend you consider returning home as soon as you are able to.

Advice for foreign nationals in New Zealand

Travel to Australia

Update on 22 February

Green zone flights from New Zealand to Australia can continue. There are some entry conditions.

All passengers travelling from New Zealand on a green zone flight, who have been in Auckland for any period (with exception of the airport for travel) over the last 14 days, will be required to provide evidence at check-in of a negative PCR test conducted within 72 hours of the scheduled flight departure. Routine pre-departure and on arrival screening will continue.

These conditions will be in place until 12:01 am (AEDT) on 1 March 2020.

You are strongly advised to check requirements with your airline before travelling to Australia.

Statement from the Australian Government Department of Health (external link)

You can travel to some states without needing to quarantine

You can travel from New Zealand to some states in Australia without needing to quarantine there if you:

• have been in New Zealand for 14 days or more and have not been in a designated COVID-19 outbreak location, and
• are travelling to Australia on a quarantine-free flight.

If you want to avoid quarantine, you can only travel to:

• Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• Queensland, or
• Victoria.

If you want to travel on to other states or territories, you will have to check what you need to do before you travel. Some states or territories may require you to quarantine when you arrive.

You will need to complete an Australia Travel Declaration at least 72 hours before you depart for Australia.

The Australian Government has more information on:

• COVID-19 outbreak locations, and if there are any in New Zealand
• completing an Australia Travel Declaration before you depart
• whether you need a visa to enter Australia
• travel exemptions if you have been in New Zealand for less than 14 days, including if you are transiting.

Make sure you check the requirements you need to meet with the Australian Government and with your airline. These can change at short notice.

Guidance on travelling from New Zealand to Australia (external link)

Travelling back to New Zealand

If you plan to travel back to New Zealand after your trip to Australia, you will need to enter a managed isolation facility when you arrive. You may have to pay for your stay.

Before booking your flights, you need to register for a voucher to secure your place in a managed isolation facility.

Managed isolation and quarantine in New Zealand (external link)

Pre-departure COVID-19 test if you're leaving New Zealand

Some countries require travellers to confirm a negative COVID-19 test before they leave New Zealand. You can check the requirements of the country you are travelling to, by contacting their local high commission, embassy or consulate in New Zealand.

Steps to get a pre-departure test

1. As soon as your travel plans are confirmed, contact Healthline or your GP.
2. Find out when you can go in for a COVID-19 test. The test needs to be taken as close as possible to your date of travel — check the timing that applies to your country.
3. You may need to pay for the test yourself, at the time.
4. Your test will be sent to a local laboratory, which will provide a result to your GP or you directly. 
5. A health provider will let you know the result of the test. It can take several days for test results to be available, so make sure you do not leave it too late.
6. Assuming the test is negative, you will be given a hard-copy document with the results to take to the airport. In the unlikely event the test is positive, your health provider will talk with you about what happens next.
7. Take your negative test results with you to airport check-in. You may need to show your results to customs or immigration on arrival at your destination.

Further travel advice from the Ministry of Health (external link)

Transiting through New Zealand

The New Zealand Government has transit arrangements with a number of countries to make it easier for each country’s citizens to get home. 

Transit agreements that say who may transit through New Zealand are published by Immigration New Zealand. 

You should also check if you need to apply for a transit exemption from Managed Isolation and Quarantine.

Transit arrangements from Immigration New Zealand(external link) (external link)

Exemptions to transit through New Zealand, and how to apply(external link) (external link)