Niue Tourism welcomes the possibility for Niue to be included as one of the realm countries in the trans-Tasman travel bubble

Niue Tourism has welcomed possibilities for Niue to be included as one of the realm countries in the trans-Tasman travel bubble.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern while speaking on the AM Show this morning said the government is working on the Trans-Tasman travel bubble with Australia and is looking at including Pacific Island countries.

New Zealand moved to Level 1 from midnight with calls by neighboring Pacific island countries to be included in the trans-Tasman bubble.

Ardern said the New Zealand government will look to see whether Pacific island countries are in similar positions. She acknowledged that Niue and Cook Islands have been COVID 19 free and are realm countries that NZ would look to in the first instances.

The Prime Minister stated that Cabinet is concentrating on formulating a framework for the travel bubble and there’s a lot of work to be done in terms of logistics which the NZ Government is focusing on now before opening borders such as border settings and screening all incoming passengers and keeping those who are COVID 19 free sperate from those traveling internationally.

Responding to the news, Niue Tourism’s Acting CEO Moka Ioane Laufoli welcomed the prospect of Niue’s inclusion in the travel bubble.“Niue Tourism is aware of the consequences and effects of COVID-19 and always put local’s health first.  With NZ’s PM comment in them considering Niue and Cook Islands in a travel bubble, we are pleased by this but at the same time must be vigilant as we patiently await the decision of the Niue Government in regard to travel restrictions. “ said Laufoli