Air New Zealand has apologised over a confusing automated message on its general phone line.

The message said the Government had announced an extended pause on quarantine-free travel from Australia.

The airline says the message was uploaded at 5pm on Wednesday, well before today's announcement by the Government.

Chief Executive Greg Foran told Heather du Plessis-Allan it was a genuine mistake, and an oversimplification.

“We don't find out really until the final decision is made. It doesn't mean that we can't speculate, and we do, because we do understand some of the conversations. But the final decision isn't made, we're not informed until it is.”

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