Reconnecting New Zealanders to the World forum

Reconnection affects us all and everyone has a stake. The forum brings together experts to discuss the next steps in the reconnection strategy.

Watch the forum

Watch the forum

Reconnecting New Zealanders to the World: Next steps

Our approach is guided by five objectives:

  • Maintaining our elimination strategy to stamp out the virus and keep our options open.
  • Ensuring every eligible New Zealander is offered the opportunity to be vaccinated as soon as possible.
  • Reducing the need for further lockdowns as much as possible by continuing to strengthen our health and contact tracing systems.
  • Maintaining strong public health tools.
  • Developing new ways to enable people to travel safely to and from New Zealand.

Read more about the next steps [PDF, 122 KB]

Self-isolation pilot for businesses and organisations

The Government has announced it will undertake a self-isolation pilot for a limited number of travellers between October and December 2021. More information will be released in September. 

Subscribe for updates on the self-isolation pilot (external link)

About the forum

The forum started with a presentation from Sir David Skegg, with an overview of the Strategic COVID-19 Public Health Advisory Group’s advice on reconnecting New Zealand. 

It was followed by a discussion MC’d by the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor, Dame Juliet Gerrard. The experts bring a range of backgrounds and perspectives to a discussion about vaccination, safe borders, safe travel and public health habits.

The event also featured a speech from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and opening remarks from Dr Ayesha Verrall, Associate Minister of Health. 

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