While New Zealand negotiates a bubble arrangement with Australia, Pacific Island countries remain cut off from one of their biggest earners - international tourism.

AUT Professor of Tourism Simon Milne told Kate Hawkesby tourism in the Pacific needs a whole new outlook.

He says we're talking about the role Australians play in New Zealand, while the role New Zealanders play in the Pacific is critically important.

"Their covid free status gives them an advantage. If they can use that status and sort a bubble arrangement with New Zealand, that opens up some important prospects."

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