National MP Judith Collins says the government doesn't have a clear plan in place for opening New Zealand's borders.

Film workers have been allowed to fly into the capital to work on the Avatar franchise despite the borders remaining closed.

And the Prime Minister has put the brakes on claims America's Cup challengers' foreign personnel could be allowed into New Zealand within days - casting renewed doubt on the future of the event, set for March next year.

National MP Judith Collins told Kate Hawkesby the government hasn't been clear on the exemptions at the border.

"They seem to be more focused on saying it's a case by case basis.

"We have got a major economic downturn, this is the time to get people back into the country if we can do it safely and go through quarantine."

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