Arrival of first Pacific Island seasonal workers – quarantine free

The first quarantine free flight of 153 workers from Vanuatu arrived in Christchurch on Monday 4 October.  These workers are going to RSE employers in Central Otago, Nelson and Marlborough.  They will complete their isolation in their employers’ accommodation in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s comprehensive isolation protocols.  

The next flight from Vanuatu is arriving on Monday 11 October, followed by a flight from Samoa on 16 October.  The Industry Collective is also working with the Government on a Tongan flight in October, but that has not been confirmed.

In November, there are already two programmed flights: one from Samoa, which is quarantine free, and one from the Solomons, where the workers are required to go through MIQ.  Other flights will be programmed for November and December when the allocation process concludes later this week.

Repatriation of workers who have been in New Zealand for some time remains a priority, but this is dependent on their home countries receiving them back.