New Zealand establishes ‘travel bubble’ with Australia

An air travel bubble has been implemented between New Zealand and Australia in addition to the existing sea border exemption for vessels, allowing owners to sail their yachts in New Zealand’s waters for the first time in over a year.

The yachts can visit New Zealand under the sea border exemption and yacht owners and passengers can then join the yacht in New Zealand via the air border. With the two destinations and the wider South Pacific amongst the safest places to visit globally according to the NZ Marine Industry Association, the establishment of this new bubble provides “a wealth of opportunities for those eager to get back out on the water and exploring”.

Cruising craft and superyachts departing Australia can gain entry to New Zealand, under an exemption for vessels with NZ$50,000 ($36,000) in service or refit bookings. With the new air border agreement, owners ’family and friends who either have an Australian passport or have been allowed into Australia (and have spent an additional 14 days in Australia after isolation), can fly to New Zealand through the air corridor known as the trans-Tasman bubble and join their vessel.

“We have been waiting over a year now and are very excited that yachts and their owners, leaving from Australia can come to New Zealand. It presents the opportunity for cruising and superyachts to enjoy New Zealand’s cruising grounds and superyacht regattas; the New Zealand Millennium Cup and the various regattas planned for 2022 by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron,” said NZ Marine Industry Association CEO, Peter Busfield.

“Combining this with superyachts now being able to charter in both New Zealand and Australia, we see Australians and Kiwis able to get their overseas experience in style by chartering a superyacht in either country for a holiday of a lifetime.”