If travelling by ship takes more than 2 weeks, there is very good reason to assume, that they are Covid-free. Also they could be allowed to dock and be required to stay on the ship until cleared by testing. So yes, they have broken the word of the law, but the form of transport should make a difference.

Regardless of being out at sea for 14 days. If the border is closed you can't enter the country. Just because you arrive in a boat by yourself doesn't change this.

Oh sure, it doesn't change the law. My point was rather, that the law should distinguish how people come into the country.

Did you read the article? There is clearly a process in place where a ship can request a permit to dock and the Germans used it

> Their application was declined because the Director-General of Health was not reasonably satisfied that the ship had a compelling need to arrive in New Zealand that reached the high threshold required for either of these exemptions.

Nice. Just to be clear, there isn't a process. There is the ability to get an exemption. It's a default no.

I think we agree on the facts. There is a process to get an exemption and without going through the process and a sufficient reason, the default is no.