This special direction will allow the transit through New Zealand of citizens and permanent residents of Papua New Guinea, and citizens of Solomon Islands, to support the repatriation of stranded people to their home countries due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Pursuant to section 86(4)(a) of the Immigration Act 2009, by special direction, the following persons are classified as persons to whom a transit visa waiver applies. Any person who is to travel to and be in New Zealand as a transit passenger only:

1. who is either:

1.1. a citizen or permanent resident of Papua New Guinea; or

1.2. a citizen of the Solomon Islands; and

2. whose immediate destination after transiting through New Zealand is either:

2.1. the country of which they are a citizen or permanent resident; or

2.2. a third party country of which they are not a citizen or permanent resident; and

3. for whom there is a Government to Government assurance to the satisfaction of the Minister of Foreign Affairs or his or her delegated representative, to support the repatriation of stranded people where the following conditions are met:

3.1. they remain airside (do not enter New Zealand) and do not exceed 24 hours in transit; and

3.2. they meet health requirements; and

3.3. they are accepted back into the country of which they are a citizen or permanent resident; and/or

3.4. any third party countries in which they are transiting after New Zealand, allow their onward travel to support their repatriation into the country of which they are a citizen or permanent resident.

This special direction expires on 19 June 2020 unless cancelled earlier.

Dated this 4th day of June 2020.

Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY, Minister of Immigration.