Travel Bubble

There were plenty of hugs, tears and cheers at Rarotonga international airport today as the Cook Islands bubble finally opened.

The first flight from Auckland left with almost 300 people on board to… Video, Audio

Travel between New Zealand and New South Wales will be paused from 11.59pm tonight.  Audio

NSW has recorded one new locally acquired COVID-19 infection and expects more cases to be confirmed. Authorities believe the man, who has not been vaccinated, has been infectious since Friday. NSW… Audio

On Monday, New Zealanders tuning into the news witnessed something rare: bulletins filled almost entirely with joy, relief, and even a bit of singing. Audio

Nervous excitement is the best way to describe the emotions of those making the most of the newly opened Trans-Tasman travel bubble. The first flight from Australia arrived a short time ago and eleven… Audio

A green light for a travel bubble with Australia was a good news story for people separated from loved ones - and businesses needing the cash of free-spending foreigners. But were the bubble-happy… Audio

MPs have held an urgent debate on the recent announcement of a date for no-quarantine travel between Australia and New Zealand Audio

In less than two weeks New Zealanders and Australians will be free to travel across the Tasman without managed isolation on arrival in New Zealand. Karyn speaks with epidemiologist Dr Michael Baker… Audio

The much anticipated trans-Tasman bubble will soon be a reality - with the government announcing quarantine-free travel will begin in just under two weeks time.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern… Audio

The two week lead in to the trans Tasman bubble is to give the airlines time to get their ducks in a row.

Air New Zealand has more or less doubled the number of flights it is offering in preparation… Video, Audio

Get ready to bounce across the ditch in two weeks' time. The Prime Minister has confirmed the trans-Tasman bubble will be up and running at 11.59pm April 18.

Jacinda Ardern says Cabinet is satisfied… Video, Audio

The Cooks travel bubble announcement has left some deflated, with few details other than May as the hoped for start time.

With Rarotonga estimated to be losing about $1 million a day in tourism… Video, Audio

Some New Zealanders have not waited for an Australian travel bubble before taking holidays across the ditch - with about 27 people heading there and back over Christmas and New Year.

They are among… Audio

The National Party says the time for a trans-Tasman travel bubble is now, calling on the Government to begin quarantine-free movement with Australia immediately. 

University of Otago epidemiologist… Audio

The government is once again under pressure to adopt a two-way trans-Tasman travel bubble.

Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the country is ready for a reciprocal bubble arrangement, and… Audio

Australia correspondent Chris Niesche joins Kathryn for the latest on how Australia's temporarily pulled the pin on quarantine-free travel for New Zealanders, the escalation of tension between Google… Audio

Cook Island businesses and tourism operators are anxiously awaiting progress on establishing a Cook Islands/NZ air bridge to help their faltering economy recover. Cook Islands News Editor Jonathan… Audio

Nervousness at the border and uncertainty over the much hoped-for Trans-Tasman travel bubble have put the tourism industry in an even more perilous position.

One Rotorua operator has struck a deal… Audio

Enthusiasm in the Pacific Islands for a travel bubble with New Zealand appears to have cooled somewhat, following the news that two people were able to leave isolation while positive with Covid-19.

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