They knew exactly what they were trying on, and had been firmly told that NZ does not want any yachts to winter over: “Upwards of 300 small yachts are stuck in limbo across the South Pacific, mostly in Fiji and French Polynesia.” from https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&object...
I understand the worry that the tourists feel, stuck on their yachts. But NZ has decided we don’t want them, so they need to find another solution to their travel problems. This isn’t some sudden problem and they have had many months to sort out some solution, rather than hoping NZ might be lenient.
NZ is desperately trying to eradicate Covid, and we stand a chance of doing it, so long as we don’t do stupid shit like trusting tourists (who seem to regularly ignore lockdown rules and have been superspreaders in other countries).
This is exactly the part I am rather confused by. Do the scientific advisors actually believe that there is no safe way to quarantine these tourists or that they pose an actual risk? It seems that it would be trivial from a logistics perspective for NZ do derisk the situation and the competent health advisors there would understand how.
Reading between the lines of what you are saying, it sounds like this is a political issue in NZ where the population feels afraid and hostile towards outsiders. Of course the collective people of NZ have the right to set immigration policy as they choose, as a matter of national sovereignty. I am simply curious as to why it is the way it is.
Shit NO. Extracts from article below:
“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”
“People in vessels travelling to New Zealand to avoid the cyclone season in the Pacific may have other genuine humanitarian reasons or other compelling needs for coming, which would need to be demonstrated in order for these vessels to qualify for an exemption – but financial loss alone is unlikely to meet the criteria.”
“‘As much as our country is known for its hospitality, New Zealand cannot become a maritime Covid-19 safe haven for everyone in unfortunate circumstances’.”
“Immigration NZ’s national manager of border and visa operations Peter Elms said their decision to knowingly travel here without approval “0’demonstrates a blatant disregard for New Zealand’s border restrictions’.”
NZ has nearly eradicated Covid again, so we are a desirable destination, and we need to ensure we are strict otherwise every Tomaz, Diyk, und Harri will be sailing here.