ZB ZB
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Listen to NAME OF STATION
Up next
Listen live on
ZB

Boaties annoyed as maritime border with Australia remains closed despite air bubble

Author
Courtney Winter,
Publish Date
Sun, 9 May 2021, 1:15PM
(Photo / NZ Herald)
(Photo / NZ Herald)

Boaties annoyed as maritime border with Australia remains closed despite air bubble

Author
Courtney Winter,
Publish Date
Sun, 9 May 2021, 1:15PM

There's frustration amongst boaties due to the Government delaying a no quarantine-free travel through the maritime border.

While air travel with Australia is quarantine-free, Kiwi crews coming in from sea must isolate for 14-days from the last time they've had contact with anyone outside the vessel.

New Zealander Chris Northmore and a three-person crew are quarantining after arriving from Australia by boat, and he says it's nonsense.

"If we come in by plane, we'd sit in the aeroplane and sneeze and cough and carry on with a whole lot of other people, and then we'd hug and kiss our relatives the moment we get off."

He says he doesn't understand the Governments reasoning behind keeping the maritime border closed.

"They should have opened the maritime the same time they opened the airport, what's the difference?

"If anything, there's an advantage, because you are spending more time at sea."

The Health Minister’s office says due to the size of the maritime border, it's appropriate they focus on the air border initially.

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you