NZ 2022

[BMWRX]

Going by recent reports coming out of NZ (omicron in Auckland, Jacinda reintroducing the traffic lights system, etc), I'm getting more than a little nervous about getting on the snow this year.

I know it's selfish thinking but I'm hoping that sense prevails and the powers across the ditch realise that the winter industries can't keep running seasons at reduced capacities. We were hoping to get to Hakuba this northern winter but that hasn't been possible. Put that on top of being booked to get to QT last year but our flight was the day after Jacinda closed the bubble in July, I'm getting awfully strong withdrawals.

 

[moskate]

Going by recent reports coming out of NZ (omicron in Auckland, Jacinda reintroducing the traffic lights system, etc), I'm getting more than a little nervous about getting on the snow this year.

I know it's selfish thinking but I'm hoping that sense prevails and the powers across the ditch realise that the winter industries can't keep running seasons at reduced capacities. We were hoping to get to Hakuba this northern winter but that hasn't been possible. Put that on top of being booked to get to QT last year but our flight was the day after Jacinda closed the bubble in July, I'm getting awfully strong withdrawals.

Yeh we booked accommodation in QT about 3 months ago but also just booked some accommodation in Victoria this weekend (same dates) as I don't think we will get over there without quarantine/capacity limits and significant testing.

Would love to be wrong though

 

[DidSurfNowSki]

Managed to sneak in some skiing in during COVID, but has been a challenge:
- 1 x trip to NZ skiing Mt Hutt over the QBLW
- Skied Perisher or Thredbo every weekend until ACT got shut out due to Delta
- Skied NSW BC when we were allowed out of the ACT and back into NSW
- Skied Austria when we were allowed out of Australia

I'm also hoping that NZ lets Oz based skiers in this year, but unfortunately that would need Omicron to rip through NZ over the next 3-4 months.

 

[teleroo]

I’ve got a trip planned for Sept/Oct 22. Booked (and mostly cancellable and refundable) pre Omicron last year on the assumption that once NZ vax rates reaches 90+% that surely they’d open up. Perhaps a foolish assumption. And two weeks ago I thought the trip was sunk. But over on the NZ Covid page some chatter posted yesterday about possible border changes. So I’m feeling a little more confident now. Wait and see.

 

[singlefin]

I reckon you will be fine. Hipkins said this week there would likely be big changes to the borders by mid year, and he said that after the current outbreak was known about.

I also reckon it will be crazy busy. Was bad enough last season without international tourists.

 

[Untele-whippet]

Looking hopeful

Full coverage Covid-19: 147 new community cases, 13 people in hospital, after PM announces government's plan to re-open NZ's border

There are new cases in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Lakes, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, and Capital and Coast, plus there's a spike in testing ahead of Waitangi weekend.

www.stuff.co.nz

 

[skichic]

Looking hopeful

Full coverage Covid-19: 147 new community cases, 13 people in hospital, after PM announces government's plan to re-open NZ's border

There are new cases in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Lakes, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, and Capital and Coast, plus there's a spike in testing ahead of Waitangi weekend.

www.stuff.co.nz

With 10 days quarantine?

 

[Untele-whippet]

With 10 days quarantine?

Fingers and toes crossed.

 

[skichic]

Fingers and toes crossed.

Will they accept that instead?

 

[Donza]

Going by JA today.

isolation free travel will start in October.

Unless Omicron starts humming.

 

[moskate]

Going by JA today.

isolation free travel will start in October.

Unless Omicron starts humming.

That's kinda how I read it.

 

[chriscross]

A bit late for skiing, then. But maybe that glacier trip? Hmm.

 

[Heinz]

Going by JA today.

isolation free travel will start in October.

Unless Omicron starts humming.

That is just madness Everyone should be triple vaxed by July. Who is going to self isolate for 7 days for a holiday?
Come on Omicron - do your thing to open things up!

 

[Gototakahashi]

There seems to be some confusion here.

I was under the impression that Australians will have quarantine free travel with NZ no later than July.

WA News

7News brings you the latest local news from WA and Perth now. Stay up to date with all of the breaking headlines from Western Australia. Today's Western Australian news, live updates & the latest breaking stories from 7News.

7news.com.au

 

[Donza]

There seems to be some confusion here.

I was under the impression that Australians will have quarantine free travel with NZ no later than July.

WA News

7News brings you the latest local news from WA and Perth now. Stay up to date with all of the breaking headlines from Western Australia. Today's Western Australian news, live updates & the latest breaking stories from 7News.

7news.com.au

Alas no.
Australians will not have to quarantine in July. However they will have to isolate in accordance with the positive or close contact rules at that time. Which is expected to be 7 days .

Its currently 10 days.

Its Rubbish.

 

[Gototakahashi]

Alas no.
Australians will not have to quarantine in July. However they will have to isolate in accordance with the positive or close contact rules at that time. Which is expected to be 7 days .

Its currently 10 days.

Its Rubbish.

Ah right. That’s disappointing.
Self isolation is still a form of quarantine so a lot of news outlets are being very misleading.

 

[Donza]

Ah right. That’s disappointing.
Self isolation is still a form of quarantine so a lot of news outlets are being very misleading.

Or they just don't read.

 

[DidSurfNowSki]

Has Omicron got this memo ? It's going to rip through the country well before the ski season with that timeline.

 

[climberman]

I sure hope th Iso requirements are gone by September!

 

[DidSurfNowSki]

Denmark, UK and Sweden have effectively ditched COVID restrictions. Just need some more countries to jump on the bandwagon.

 

[Heinz]

Just need some of the Kiwis returning in March to break iso and spread some of that Omicron to speed things along.

 

[chunky]

I sure hope th Iso requirements are gone by September!

I had heard that it wouldn't be totally quarantine free for Aussies until October. Hope I am wrong. Regardless my July holiday plans to use my credits from last year are over now. I still hear we have to isolate on July arrivals.

 

[Donza]

*It all depends on the Omicron spread.

From a sporting point of view.

Covid-19 NZ: End of MIQ provides certainty for Warriors to get home, wait to play there set to continue

Peace of mind they can get home without MIQ at season's end great news for Warriors but June home game looking unlikely.

www.stuff.co.nz

At the heart of everything will be whether or not the self-isolation period of seven days still stands come July because even if teams could train during it, it would not work, George said.

Ardern said the Government will “constantly review” self-isolation requirements.

 

[DidSurfNowSki]

*It all depends on the Omicron spread.

From a sporting point of view.

Covid-19 NZ: End of MIQ provides certainty for Warriors to get home, wait to play there set to continue

Peace of mind they can get home without MIQ at season's end great news for Warriors but June home game looking unlikely.

www.stuff.co.nz

At the heart of everything will be whether or not the self-isolation period of seven days still stands come July because even if teams could train during it, it would not work, George said.

Ardern said the Government will “constantly review” self-isolation requirements.

In my view, as soon as they slightly open the taps Omicron will rampage through the NZ population like everywhere else. Countries like the UK, Sweden and Denmark have already effectively ended their COVID restrictions. More will join this list. PM Arden will pivot before July.

We'll be skiing in NZ without having to do quarantine IMO.

 

[Heinz]

In my view, as soon as they slightly open the taps Omicron will rampage through the NZ population like everywhere else. Countries like the UK, Sweden and Denmark have already effectively ended their COVID restrictions. More will join this list. PM Arden will pivot before July.

We'll be skiing in NZ without having to do quarantine IMO.

We can only hope. Go Omicron! Best time for it to roll through is when most people are triple vaxed.

 

[Kash]

Alas no.
Australians will not have to quarantine in July. However they will have to isolate in accordance with the positive or close contact rules at that time. Which is expected to be 7 days .

Its currently 10 days.

Its Rubbish.

F that, but if quarantine free travel does open up I'll def be ducking over to use a few free ikon pass days at Mt Hutt. There is usually pretty good flight options to CHC on Jetstar.

It seems obvious that Omicron will do its thing over there within the next 3-4 months and NZ can get with the program.

 

[MisterMxyzptlk]

Hello
I'm the idiot that bought NZSki passes for this year
I'm pretty sure I bought insurance but not sure if it will cover the fact I won't be going if I need to do a week of home quarantine

 

[H_Rollins]

Hello
I'm the idiot that bought NZSki passes for this year
I'm pretty sure I bought insurance but not sure if it will cover the fact I won't be going if I need to do a week of home quarantine

Not sure about your situation but I bought a early bird multi-pass last year for Coronet, Remarkables, Mt Hutt from nzski. The borders closed and of course I didn't get to go. I had no issue getting a full refund directly from them, I didn't have to use travel insurance.

 

[MisterMxyzptlk]

Not sure about your situation but I bought a early bird multi-pass last year for Coronet, Remarkables, Mt Hutt from nzski. The borders closed and of course I didn't get to go. I had no issue getting a full refund directly from them, I didn't have to use travel insurance.

Me too- but they might say you are able to come-just you have to do a week of home jail

 

[ScottGN]

Just need some of the Kiwis returning in March to break iso and spread some of that Omicron to speed things along.

I think that’s kind of what we all expect is going to happen.

 

[teleroo]

Hello
I'm the idiot that bought NZSki passes for this year
I'm pretty sure I bought insurance but not sure if it will cover the fact I won't be going if I need to do a week of home quarantine

I bought early bird season passes for Cardrona for myself and two kids in Sept. The deal was if you couldn't come due to covid you could get a refund or carry over credit. Best case is we get to use the passes. If not, we'll have to see how the "fine print" plays out. But I'm optimistic.

I did send the manager of Cardrona an email today basically outlining our situation - essentially, yes, we're vaxxed up just like you and we'd love come come and spend $10k + in your economy. Just no home jail though. With the hope that for any discussions between the kiwi ski and tourism sectors and govt that a sensible decision is arrived at.

 

[BMWRX]

Close contact/positive plans? Does that mean that if you haven't been a close contact of a positive case or positive yourself then no isolation? Even in July?

I'm hoping to go to QT first week of August. But if I'm required to hole up for a week, I'll pass (and take my chances at NSW resorts and burn twice the money for half the runs).

 

[singlefin]

Close contact/positive plans? Does that mean that if you haven't been a close contact of a positive case or positive yourself then no isolation? Even in July?

I'm hoping to go to QT first week of August. But if I'm required to hole up for a week, I'll pass (and take my chances at NSW resorts and burn twice the money for half the runs).

At the moment in July, it's anybody entering the country has to do 7 days isolation, but doesn't need to do it in a managed facility. So really it's to allow in families, returnees, workers etc who are prepared to do that.

Govt have said they will look to reduce that but aren't giving any guarantees or more details.

Current rules aren't going to work for many people wanting a holiday. Probably best to wait a while and see what happens nearer the time, there will be a lot of pressure for that to change from the tourism industry.

 

[GlenH]

It makes it hard to plan ahead and then secure NSW accommodation at short notice if NZ becomes a no goer.

 

[teleroo]

It makes it hard to plan ahead and then secure NSW accommodation at short notice if NZ becomes a no goer.

My experience is quite a few AirBnb places are fully refundable up until quite close to check in date. But yeh, ski accom in NZ getting trickier to get in general.

 

[DidSurfNowSki]

Guess who's coming for dinner ?

Covid-19 update: 810 new community cases in New Zealand today

The number of new community cases in New Zealand has almost doubled today, with a record 810 new cases reported.

www.rnz.co.nz

Perhaps they might entertain vaccinated plague carriers from across the ditch come winter time since they can't contain it ?

 

[expatgm]

Guess who's coming for dinner ?

Covid-19 update: 810 new community cases in New Zealand today

The number of new community cases in New Zealand has almost doubled today, with a record 810 new cases reported.

www.rnz.co.nz

Perhaps they might entertain vaccinated plague carriers from across the ditch come winter time since they can't contain it ?

That was yesterday

Covid-19 update: Record 981 new community cases today

The Ministry of Health says "the further increase in new cases today is another reminder that, as expected, the highly transmissible Omicron variant is now spreading in our communities as we have seen in other countries".

www.rnz.co.nz

 

[Gototakahashi]

Hopefully these record case numbers show NZ that it’s not actually catastrophic to open the borders without quarantine.

 

[DidSurfNowSki]

Phase 2 here we come.

 

[BMWRX]

Ardern slammed over Covid holiday rule

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been ripped into by media personality Michelle Stephenson, after the Today Show panellist found out she might have to isolate for an upcoming Kiwi winter holiday.

www.news.com.au

 

[DidSurfNowSki]

Phase 2 soon.

 

[Gototakahashi]

WA announced they are opening and allowing quarantine free travel from March 3rd. When will NZ allow quarantine free travel? Those poor tourist operators.

 

[BMWRX]

They've shown in the last year or so that tourism takes a back seat to what is thought the best for the whole country. But at some point they have to just open up and let it take its course. Sadly I don't think that'll happen before the end of the southern snow season.

 

[GlenH]

Booking this year from Oz still sounds risky to me.

 

[moskate]

Cancelled my trip last week

Seems Japan trip 2023 may be in a similar boat imo

 

[BMWRX]

Cancelled my trip last week

Seems Japan trip 2023 may be in a similar boat imo

It's hard to keep up with what's happening in Japan recently. One day they are getting on with things, they next it sounds like everyone is at battle stations.

 

[Donza]

People are cancelling NZ trips? why?
Its Feb.

 

[DidSurfNowSki]

Way too early to call IMO.

 

[Donza]

Way too early to call IMO.

Oh NZ will be 1000% open by ski season.

Called it.

 

[DidSurfNowSki]

Europe opening up
Eastern Australia opening up
Western Australia opening up
America opening up
3 months of Omicron ripping through the community https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national...all-time-high-on-record-day-of-omicron-spread

Brave call