MIQ refusals to waive

The Ombudsman is investigating refusals to waive managed isolation and quarantine fees for returning New Zealanders for whom the cost would inflict financial hardship, saying labelling travel as discretionary could breach the Bill of Rights Act.

New Zealanders who enter the country for less than three months, or six months after June 1, are charged for managed isolation, but waivers can be considered for special circumstances such as funerals or to visit dying relatives, or if the fees would put a person in undue financial hardship.

But Ombudsman Peter Boshier had ‘‘cause to question’’ the general approach to waivers after a number of people complained, according to a letter sent to a complainant and seen by Stuff . A person’s reason for travel should not be the only factor in decisions as it could be ‘‘inconsistent’’ with the Bill of Rights Act, he wrote.

Staff from the Ombudsman’s office were discussing with Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment how the law was being applied. The reason for travel must be balanced against the hardship, the letter said, but in some cases, the ministry accepted the fee would cause financial hardship, but declined the application because it thought the travel was discretionary.

Managed isolation and quarantine fees were introduced in August last year. Under the scheme, a person in a room was charged $3100, with $950 for each additional adult and $475 for each child sharing the room. A family of four would pay $5000.

It comes days after Dr Michael Ryan, who heads the World Health Organis