NZ in talks with ‘early mover’ countries

New Zealand is part of informal discussions with eight other countries that are winning the fight against Covid-19, but the talks are not yet focused on travel between the nations.

The ‘‘early movers group’’ is led by Austria and also includes Australia, Denmark, Greece, Norway, the Czech Republic, Israel, Singapore and New Zealand.

The Guardian reported yesterday that the group was discussing travel between the nations.

A spokesman from the Prime Minister’s Office said the talks were not at this point focused on a large travel bubble. ‘‘It’s really just to share experiences, particularly for early movers,’’ he said.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had attended the first meeting of the group via teleconference, but did not join last week’s meeting. New Zealand’s ambassador to Austria attended in her place.

New Zealand is actively working on a travel bubble with Australia, with business leaders and government officials working to set up a process so people in each country can travel to the other without having to go through a 14-day quarantine on either side.

There is currently a ban on any non-residents coming into New Zealand. Residents and citizens of this country who do enter New Zealand must stay in ‘‘managed isolation’’ for 14 days.

There has been talk of extending the trans-Tasman bubble once it is set up but this has mostly focused on the Pacific Islands, in particular New Zealand’s realm countries of Tokelau, the Cook Islands, and Niue.

A joint statement from Ardern and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison explicitly mentioned expanding the bubble to the Pacific Islands.

‘‘Once we have established effective travel arrangements across the Tasman, we will also explore opportunities to expand the concept to members of our broader Pacific family ... We will work with interested Pacific countries on parameters and arrangements to manage the risks.’’