I'm glad that they're gone. I always thought that they were a bit of duplication... and a pain having to fill the same information again and again for each member of the family.

About two weeks ago flew to Honiara in the Solomons via an overnight in Brisbane.

Solomon Islands regulations still require a negative PCR within 72 hours of landing, and I was flying on a Sunday to Australia - so that was a bit of calculation, to get the test done, result back and have it valid before boarding in Brisbane. Was all able to be done via email, including to the doctor in the Solomon Islands, who then emailed the airline to confirm I could board - which was great.

It was a throwback to land in Honiara and to get a physical stamp in my passport - along with temperature scan. 

Completing the NZ govt Traveller Pass sorted pretty easily before I left, printed and on my device. Was the absolute least of my worries on the trip.

Just seen this update on the COVID19 NZ website, looks as though its making a come back.

It does say it is replacing the paper arrival card, but I do wonder if the government will use this as a potential tool to stop kiwis returning home in the future during a "pandemic". If it is mandatory to fill out the form and obtain a response from officials in NZ (like the old NZTD) BEFORE getting on the plane home I think we have our answer.

It will also be interesting to see what added requirements/questions may get added, time will tell I guess.

David321:

 

Just seen this update on the COVID19 NZ website, looks as though its making a come back.

 

It does say it is replacing the paper arrival card, but I do wonder if the government will use this as a potential tool to stop kiwis returning home in the future during a "pandemic". If it is mandatory to fill out the form and obtain a response from officials in NZ (like the old NZTD) BEFORE getting on the plane home I think we have our answer.

 

It will also be interesting to see what added requirements/questions may get added, time will tell I guess.

 

This is more related to the digitisation of arrival cards than COVID, 

I'm guessing they wanted to seamlessly transition across from the Travel Declaration to a new digital arrival card, but govt inability to deliver + legislative requirements failed them so they've gone back to paper till the new digital solution is available, 

It may  exist in parallel with a paper version for a while, ( i.e you can choose which one to use) and then they will start to force arrivals from "developed" countries to the digital solution as the default...

wellygary:

 

David321:

 

Just seen this update on the COVID19 NZ website, looks as though its making a come back.

 

It does say it is replacing the paper arrival card, but I do wonder if the government will use this as a potential tool to stop kiwis returning home in the future during a "pandemic". If it is mandatory to fill out the form and obtain a response from officials in NZ (like the old NZTD) BEFORE getting on the plane home I think we have our answer.

 

It will also be interesting to see what added requirements/questions may get added, time will tell I guess.

 

 

This is more related to the digitisation of arrival cards than COVID, 

 

I'm guessing they wanted to seamlessly transition across from the Travel Declaration to a new digital arrival card, but govt inability to deliver + legislative requirements failed them so they've gone back to paper till the new digital solution is available, 

 

It may  exist in parallel with a paper version for a while, ( i.e you can choose which one to use) and then they will start to force arrivals from "developed" countries to the digital solution as the default...

 

Yeah, and if that's all it is that will be fine. I agree that most govt agencies seem to be performing very badly at the moment under this govt (NZTA and Heath NZ are the best examples).

I just hope that this declaration is not like the NZTD which had to be filled out prior to flying and you also had to wait for the QR code as your "permission" to return home, I fear it will be used to lock kiwis out of their home in the future much like the MIQ voucher system did.

The paper form has been on the way out for years........guess the proof of how useful this will be depends on the details when finalised.

Although, i doubt we will ever see the draconian measures inflicted on Kiwi's again, certainly in my lifetime

What's the point of introducing this new card digitally when a large part of it relates to Biosecurity and they're just screening everyone at the airport anyway? Result is massive delays (1 hr+) at the biosecurity checkpoint.

boosacnoodle:

 

What's the point of introducing this new card digitally when a large part of it relates to Biosecurity and they're just screening everyone at the airport anyway? Result is massive delays (1 hr+) at the biosecurity checkpoint.

 

Was told last week when i went through, that particular frustration will be eased once all the extra contract staff come to the end of their term

At the moment it seems to be a justification situation.........that remains to be seen

hsvhel:

 

 

 

Although, i doubt we will ever see the draconian measures inflicted on Kiwi's again, certainly in my lifetime

 

 

 

 

 

I wish I believed that, if MIQ will be restored with emergence of a new COVID variant that is more contagious and more deadly I think it is quite possible we will see the draconian measures return. Now that COVID is here to stay we will for sure in time see a new variant that is more contagious and deadly (remember the harsh restrictions being slapped back on pretty much over night when NZ had its first Omicron case because it MIGHT have been more deadly and contagious, then it turns out it's less deadly than the flu), and this time the govt will have legislated for it, therefor no breaking the law from the govt. 

The devil will be in the detail when the new pandemic legislation is released and passed, I cant help but think of the poor kiwis who could not be with loved ones who were dying, those (like my wife) who had parents overseas they could not visit for years because if they left NZ they would not get back in.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/478779/plan-to-restore-miq-if-needed

New Zealand Traveller Declaration to replace Passenger Arrival Cards from June - NZ Herald

 

However, by June 30, these paper Passenger Arrival Cards will become a relic of the past; replaced by a fancy online system called the New Zealand Traveller Declaration.

 

Anyone who travelled last year may be familiar with the system, which was launched in March 2022 to collect Covid-19 documentation and information from people entering New Zealand after the borders reopened.

 

The requirement was stopped in October, however, the same system will be used to host a new, updated declaration form, which will replace the paper forms.

 

A customs spokesperson said the form would be updated, then operated and managed by four agencies, who are responsible for processing arriving travellers; Customs, the Ministry for Primary Industries (for Biosecurity New Zealand), the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (for Immigration New Zealand), and the Ministry of Health.

 

freitasm:

 

New Zealand Traveller Declaration to replace Passenger Arrival Cards from June - NZ Herald

 

The questions for the NZTD system will be based on these legislative requirements.”
Currently, customs plans to pilot the new system between April and June.
....
“Options will be provided to ensure travellers can complete and submit their declaration for arrival in New Zealand,” they added.

 

I'll go out on a limb and say that there will be some form of paper option (at least to start with....)

I simply can't see them getting this off the ground in less than 6 months.. especially when it appears the legislation is not yet finalised...

freitasm:

 

New Zealand Traveller Declaration to replace Passenger Arrival Cards from June - NZ Herald

 

 

However, by June 30, these paper Passenger Arrival Cards will become a relic of the past; replaced by a fancy online system called the New Zealand Traveller Declaration.

 

Anyone who travelled last year may be familiar with the system, which was launched in March 2022 to collect Covid-19 documentation and information from people entering New Zealand after the borders reopened.

 

The requirement was stopped in October, however, the same system will be used to host a new, updated declaration form, which will replace the paper forms.

 

A customs spokesperson said the form would be updated, then operated and managed by four agencies, who are responsible for processing arriving travellers; Customs, the Ministry for Primary Industries (for Biosecurity New Zealand), the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (for Immigration New Zealand), and the Ministry of Health.

 

 

 

 

This is terrible for our older generation of travelers, I cant see why they want to ditch the paper as an option altogether, well actually I can.

What difference does it make if its done online or paper if the information is only required at the point of entry into NZ?

I would bet quite comfortably the procedure will be changed during another pandemic so that these online forms will be need to be filled out prior to boarding a plane meaning the govt has an effective way to keep citizens out of the country if they want to.

The huge clue is here - "“We will be working this process through with airport operators and airline partners during the planned pilots,” said the customs spokesperson."

If the information is collected at NZ customs as they mention then why would the airlines need anything to do with it? because it will be up to them to deny entry to the aircraft at the foreign airport if they do not have the permission required that the form would usually grant.

@David321:

 

I would bet quite comfortably the procedure will be changed during another pandemic so that these online forms will be need to be filled out prior to boarding a plane meaning the govt has an effective way to keep citizens out of the country if they want to.

The huge clue is here - "“We will be working this process through with airport operators and airline partners during the planned pilots,” said the customs spokesperson."

 

I already asked for conspiracy theories to stop being spouted here.