The ski season is just beginning in New Zealand with some resorts already open and the others opening over the next couple of weeks. There’s been big snow with over 150cms in 72 hours at Coronet Peak on the weekend, but it is yet to translate into big Aussie bookings.
Until now.
To lure more tourists across the ditch the New Zealand government has ditched (no pun intended) the negative Covid-19 test requirement to enter the country.
From next Tuesday, June 21, the pre-departure testing regime will be canned for all arrivals into the land of the long white cloud, as announced by COVID-19 Minister Ayesha Verrall.
Can I hear a heli, yeah!
But wait, there’s more. Unvaccinated travellers in transit will also be able to enter New Zealand transit without quarantine.
These changes to policy will make the country more accessible and less expensive to those wishing to head over for some ski turns. However some tourism operators fear it’s too late as many Australians have already chosen to ski and snowboard at home due to the challenges required to travel to New Zealand.
With these barriers to travel removed, it’s now just a matter of airline prices also dropping and some Kiwi snow could be yours.
If you do intend to ski and snowboard across the Tasman then ensure you take your masks, as they are still required for a variety of indoor places including retail and public transport.
All info on the new requirements here.
