Covid-19 response and recovery

COVID-19 is having implications across New Zealand’s foreign policy and international engagement. Here’s where you can find out about the Ministry’s work on the pandemic response and recovery.

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Health cooperation

COVID-19 has created a new impetus for global health cooperation to manage the pandemic.

New Zealanders overseas

The COVID-19 pandemic has been the Ministry’s largest and most complex consular response to date. We have provided advice and consular assistance to thousands of New Zealanders overseas, and helped the repatriation of over 5,000 New Zealanders. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause travel disruption and risks for New Zealanders overseas. SafeTravel has official advice(external link) for New Zealanders travelling and living overseas.

Consular data

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Trade recovery

The Trade Recovery Strategy helps New Zealand recover from the impacts of COVID-19 and to seize new opportunities for exports and investment.

We work with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) and other government agencies to provide advice for exporters(external link).

Supporting the Pacific COVID-19 response

New Zealand has worked very closely with Pacific Island governments to support their COVID-19 preparedness. An initial $50 million package of support helped the Pacific countries to prepare health systems, and helped address wider health, economic, governance and social challenges arising from the effects of the pandemic.

As well as recognising the importance of sharing information with our Pacific neighbours, we have ensured medicines, food and other vital supplies have continued to move to where they’re needed, while minimising any risk of COVID-19 spread.

New Zealand’s stringent border settings have complemented those of Pacific countries, and in most places has meant case numbers and deaths remain low.

The COVID-19 pandemic is having severe economic impacts on the Pacific region and New Zealand remains committed to working closely with our Pacific partners to get through the time ahead. Although we have been quick to provide funding – including directly supporting Pacific budgets, the need is enormous and will be protracted.

The Pacific Reset will continue to guide our response in the region, although we will need to think creatively in the new context.

Read more about New Zealand’s development cooperation with the Pacific

Borders

COVID-19 saw the most extensive border restrictions our country has ever known.

Check the Immigration New Zealand(external link) website for advice on border closures and visas.

Foreign visitors in New Zealand

The pandemic has caused huge global travel disruption. We have worked with other governments and with airlines to help travellers stranded in New Zealand to get home.

Any foreign nationals in New Zealand seeking consular advice or assistance should contact their country’s representative in New Zealand.

View a list of foreign representatives in New Zealand

Official sources of other COVID-19 information

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