Minister defends the closing of border
Kiwis on ship urged to take flight
Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis says China may be feeling ‘‘hurt’’, but border closures are necessary to protect the health of New Zealanders.
His comment comes after the Chinese ambassador to New Zealand, Wu Xi, objected to an extension of the border closure instituted on February 3 to prevent spread of the coronavirus,
Covid-19, saying it went against World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations on maintaining travel links.
It is the second time Wu has spoken out against the travel restrictions that have halted all tourists coming from or through mainland China, but Davis stands behind the decision, which he said was not made lightly.
‘‘We really take our relationship with China seriously, they may be feeling hurt, but our first priority is the health of New Zealand citizens and trying to prevent Covid-19 from landing on our shores."
Davis said he enjoyed a close relationship with his ministerial counterpart in China and that would will help restore travel between the two countries when the border reopened.
Canterbury University professor Anne-Marie Brady, who specialises in Chinese politics, has defended the New Zealand Government’s position.
In a tweet on Tuesday she pointed out more than 62 countries had ignored the WHO’s recommendations. ‘‘NZ is doing the right thing,’’ Brady posted.
Davis said tourism operators heavily reliant on the Chinese market were having a tough time, but he did not believe wage subsidies were necessary to avoid lay offs.
He is confident an extra $11m in funding for tourism promotions will help make up for the lack of Chinese visitors who last February spent about $260m here.
Tourism New Zealand will pump its $10m share of the money into attracting more visitors from the US, Japan and Australia.
Domestic tourism – which accounts for 60 per cent of all tourism spending – will receive
$1m to get Kiwis to take a break in Auckland, Rotorua, Christchurch and Queenstown, regions hardest hit by the dearth of Chinese.
‘‘We’re encouraging New Zealanders to have a holiday in New Zealand, it’s sort of low hanging
New Zealanders quarantined on The Diamond Princess after coronavirus was discovered on board are being ‘‘strongly encouraged’’ to use a flight out of Japan provided by the Australian government.
Yesterday, Health Minister David Clark said the final number of New Zealanders using today’s flight from Tokyo was still being confirmed.
‘‘MFAT have also told us that they are currently planning on a return for those passengers to New Zealand as quickly as possible after they arrive in Australia.’’
Once home the group will be quarantined for 14 days at Whangapara¯oa, which is housing Kiwis evacuated from Wuhan.
Two New Zealanders recovering in hospital in Japan would not be returning on the flight. A family member would stay behind to support them.
‘‘Alternative arrangements will be made for their return.’’
Any passengers on the Diamond Princess, berthed in Yokohama, who did not return with the Australian flight would find it difficult to make their way back to New Zealand for at least the next two weeks, Clark said.
The 157 people currently quarantined at Whangapara¯oa will be allowed to leave today as long as they remained asymptomatic.
fruit. I don’t think we have had a really serious domestic campaign for decades,’’ said Davis.
Exactly how that money will be split between the four regional tourism organisations has yet to be decided by TNZ and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) had raised the possibility of short term wage subsidies for all sectors badly hit by virus-related downturns to help prevent permanent staff from being laid off.
TIA had also lobbied for a boost in TNZ funding and chief executive Chris Roberts said they welcomed the Government announcement.
‘‘From a national viewpoint, it is essential that the domestic marketing stimulates new visitor activity, by encouraging kiwis to take an extra break.’’