America's Cup: Govt. loosens restrictions so vessels can enter NZ
by NZ Marine 25 Jun 2020 00:40 PDT
Millennium Cup Regatta - Bay of Islands - February 1, 2020 © Jeff Brown
The New Zealand Government has announced key changes to New Zealand’s border restrictions including a new maritime exception for vessels including yachts and superyachts with a compelling need for the vessel to travel to New Zealand.
Under the umbrella of compelling need falls delivery of a vessel to a business, including for refit and repair, crew handover, response to emergency or humanitarian situations, supply or support of ongoing operations, or discharge of catch.
The exemption does not apply to cruise ships which remain prohibited from entering New Zealand’s waters, and it does not allow people travelling for leisure to enter the country.
Refit and servicing vessels contributes 25% of the $2 billion NZ marine industry and we now look forward to seeing many of our companies regaining some of the lost business from over the past four months. This new border exemption comes just in time for the crucial period of July to November when the majority of visiting vessels requiring refit or repair, schedule their arrival in New Zealand,” says NZ Marine’s Executive Director Peter Busfield.
“We thank the many marine industry companies, organisations and Government departments that assisted us in representing our case to Cabinet and gaining the above border exemptions. Particular thanks go to New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, Maritime New Zealand, the Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment, Ministry of Immigration, Ministry of Transport, Customs NZ, Business New Zealand, Auckland Chamber of Commerce and Sir Ken Stevens.”
Process and criteria for applying for the border exemption
Applications are to be made to Immigration NZ and more details of the application process and criteria will be announced over the next few days.