The first stage of one-way quarantine-free travel with Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu will start in October for recognised seasonal employer workers.

'We want to provide certainty to the horticulture industry that we are moving forward with safe quarantine-free travel for RSE workers in time for the upcoming picking season,” says Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor.

There will be additional health measures in place for these workers that includes being vaccinated with at least one dose pre-departure, complete a period of self-isolation on arrival and return negative Covid-19 tests at day 0 and day 5.

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says, 'We need to take a cautious approach to opening up quarantine-free travel with the Pacific. While Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu haven't had any community cases of COVID-19 we know first-hand how quickly Delta can spread if it gets in”

'We are starting solely with RSE workers for several reasons. RSE workers come to New Zealand in a cohort, and stay in employer-arranged accommodation.

'This helps mitigate any additional risk from Covid-19 by ensuring they go into self-isolation in a pre-organised place immediately upon arrival.”

Damien O'Connor says it also reflects the important benefits that flow from the RSE scheme for New Zealand, Pacific partner countries, workers, and their families and communities.

Up to 14,400 RSE workers normally come through New Zealand each year, with approximately 10,500 being in the country at peak harvesting times pre-Covid.

'Substantial planning has been under way both in New Zealand's horticulture and viticulture sectors and in our partner countries for the arrival of these workers, with some incoming flights deferred in August and September because of New Zealand's Alert Level 4 settings,” says O'Connor

'We will be closely monitoring this first stage of one-way quarantine-free travel. Our intention remains to broaden eligibility for quarantine-free entry to New Zealand from these countries and Tokelau when we can be sure it is safe to do so.

'In the meantime, other people entering New Zealand from these countries will need to meet existing MIQ requirements,” says O'Connor.

Officials in New Zealand are working with partner Pacific countries and the industry on the final measures that need to be in place, with exact flight dates in October to be confirmed.