Updated: 2 May 2022
Aotea Great Barrier Island’s borders are open to all NZ travellers. However, with Omicron in the NZ community and the whole country including Great Barrier Island is functioning under the Covid Protection Framework (Traffic Light System) it is wise for visitors to plan ahead.
Please note there are no vaccination or testing requirements to travel to the island.
The New Zealand borders are now open to eligible international travellers – this is being managed in a stage process.
Holidaying on Aotea Great Barrier Island – Plan ahead.
The Government’s Covid-19 travel advice is to make contingency plans should you or one of your party have to self-isolate.
Reading through the government guidance – ‘If you test positive for COVID-19 while travelling away from home’ will help you plan for your group.
Travellers who have to take public transport or break a journey overnight will have to isolate where they are. If you’ve flown to a location or taken a ferry, it is advised to budget for an extended stay. This is the case for all visitors coming to the island who have flown or used the ferry, unless you have come by private plane or boat.
If you experience Covid-19 symptoms whilst you are on the island, get tested immediately and you will have to isolate in your accommodation until you receive a negative result. This means budgeting for an extended stay.
For more information on safe travel see covid19.govt.nz
Other considerations when booking your holiday to Great Barrier Island.
When booking, you should be aware that your stay could be cancelled as there is a chance that the guests before you have to COVID isolate in the accommodation you are staying in if one of their party becomes sick or is identified as a close contact.
The island has a high proportion of at risk residents and there are no hospital facilities on the island, so it is important for you to follow the ministry of health guidelines to keep everyone safe.
We need your help to protect the health of everyone on the island and to keep our services, infrastructure and businesses running.
Please wear a mask where possible and required on the island.
As more information becomes available we will continue to update this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
General guidelines and suggestions
- Recheck the guidance. Check government guidance immediately before you travel and read all of the advice from your travel and accommodation providers.
- Plan your journey. Plan each stage of your journey and stay on Great Barrier.
- Face coverings. Pack sufficient face coverings for the duration of your stay.
- Individual businesses will have their own coronavirus policy. Please look out for these policies and observe the rules in place for each island premises you enter.
- Hand sanitiser. Bring hand sanitiser with you so you always have access to it. Where there are hand sanitiser stations available, please use them.
- Medicine. Bring at least 10 extra days’ worth of any medication or medical supplies you rely on, in case you are required to self-isolate on the island.
- Have a plan for if you or anyone within your travel party develops symptoms and then tests positive for COVID-19
- Use the COVID-19 app to scan QR code posters wherever possible.
- Comply with the rules in place in each business you visit.
- Use contactless payment where possible.