Under section 52(4A)(a) of the Immigration Act 2009 (“Act”), by special direction, I impose a condition on the visas held by the following class of people:

Every person who is in New Zealand on the date this special direction is signed and holds a temporary entry class visa that was granted on or before 18 March 2020.

A condition is imposed on their visas that the holder comply with:

1. any order made under section 11 of the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020; and
2. any instruction from a Medical Officer of Health which relates to COVID-19.

I am satisfied that the making of this special direction is reasonably necessary to manage the effects, or deal with the consequences, of measures taken under an enactment to contain or mitigate the outbreak of COVID-19 or its effects. This is to make clear that non-compliance by a temporary entry class visa holder with requirements imposed to contain or mitigate the outbreak of COVID-19 will be viewed seriously and may result in the visa holder being made liable for deportation.

I am satisfied this special direction relates to compliance with directions, orders, or requirements of the Minister of Health, the Director-General of Health, any medical officer of health, or a District Court Judge given or imposed under the Health Act 1956 or any other Act (whether enacted before or after the Immigration (COVID-19 Response) Amendment Act 2020); and in response to COVID-19.

Dated this 11th day of September 2020.

Hon KRIS FA’AFOI, Minister of Immigration.

Explanatory Note

The effect of this special direction is to impose a condition on temporary entry class visas granted on or before 18 March 2020 and held by people in New Zealand. These visas will now be subject to a condition that the holder comply with orders made under the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020 and any instructions from a medical officer of health relating to COVID-19.