COVID-19 managed isolation in New Zealand

Managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) was a quarantine system implemented by the New Zealand Government during the country's COVID-19 pandemic. Under the system, people entering New Zealand, COVID-19 positive cases and some of their close contacts were required to isolate at an MIQ facility for 14 days. Compulsory managed isolation and quarantine was announced by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at the 1pm press conference on 9 April 2020, with the system coming into effect for people boarding flights to New Zealand from midnight that day. The government contracted dozens of hotels in five cities that were exclusively used as managed isolation facilities. The task was organised by the Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) unit, part of the COVID-19 All-of-Government Response Group.

Distinction Christchurch in use as a managed isolation hotel

On 10 March 2022, the New Zealand Government announced plans to phase out the MIQ system as part of plans to reopen the country's borders. Most of the MIQ facilities would revert to being hotels. However, four facilities would be retained for those needing to quarantine.[1] By March 2022, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins estimated that the MIQ system had accommodated 230,000 people returning to New Zealand and 4,400 people who had contracted COVID-19 in the community.[2]

Background

edit

On 28 February 2020, New Zealand confirmed its first case of COVID-19.[3][4] At the daily 1 pm press conference on 14 March, Ardern announced that people entering New Zealand must go into a fortnight's self-isolation beginning on 16 March; people coming from Pacific Island nations were initially exempt from these restrictions.[5] By mid-March, the government was urging New Zealanders to return home urgently.[6]

History

edit

2020

edit

At the daily 1 pm press conference on 9 April 2020, Ardern announced that those boarding flights after midnight that day would have to go into managed isolation provided by the government. She explained that government had been considering this measure for some time, but there simply was not the capacity to introduce these measures any earlier as almost 40,000 New Zealanders had returned since 20 March, a number larger than all the country's hotel rooms. Part of the announcement was that the government would use up to 18 hotels,[7] but this was soon increased to 26 by early July[8] and 32 by early August.[9]

Three representatives of the Defence Force, Corrections, and Police undertook a review of the managed isolation system at the end of June. They found that little pre-planning had been done, with a Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) unit created as part of the COVID-19 All-of-Government Response Group on 20 March, without a lead agency assigned to have ultimate responsibility. For example, agencies involved prescribed different policies for personal protective gear for their staff. There was little government oversight of arriving passengers when they transferred through the arrival halls, with a risk of travellers meeting their family or even absconding. Some travellers found out that there is mandatory quarantine in New Zealand after they had cleared customs. There was initially little coordination with airlines, with passenger manifests provided only hours before planes arrived in New Zealand; this sometimes put strains on logistics, with last-minute decisions which hotel passengers would be sent to. The compulsory second test did sometimes not arrive in a timely manner, which meant that rooms did not become available, hindering planning for accommodating new guests.[10]

In mid-June, Air Commodore Darryn Webb and Housing Minister Megan Woods were given joint responsibility for overseeing isolation and quarantine facilities.[11][12] Woods and Webb announced a number of operational changes two days after the review was received.[13]

On 14 July 2020, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) assumed responsibility for running the country's Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) system.[14]

From 5 October, anyone entering New Zealand was required to book a place at a MIQ facility using the Government's online Managed Isolation Allocation System. On the day of its launch, Stuff reported that the Managed Isolation Allocation System's website had collapsed with numerous people reporting trouble making bookings. From 12 am on 5 November, anyone entering New Zealand was legally required to show a voucher proving that they had secured a place in an MIQ facility before flying.[15]

On 12 November, it was reported that MIQ guests at the Grand Millennium hotel in Auckland Central had mingled with residents of Vincent Residences after a fire alarm at the hotel earlier in the week. Following reports of a community transmission at Vincent Residences, Director of Public Health Dr Caroline McElnay said the alarm was not the likely cause of the community transmission because the case was already asymptomatic at the time.[16] In addition, Air Commodore Darryn Webb disputed reports that MIQ guests had mingled with Vincent Residences.[17]

2021

edit

On 28 January 2021, the Pullman Hotel in Central Auckland was identified as the centre of an outbreak that had seen four people test positive for a South African strain. In response, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced that the managed isolation facility would not be accepting new returnees and that remaining residents would have their stays extended. The Minister also confirmed that health authorities were investigating the causes of this new outbreak.[18] On 29 January, a mother whose two daughters had stayed at the Pullman Hotel criticised lapses in protocols and safety including returnees mingling and playing contact sports, which she blamed for causing one of her daughters to contract COVID-19.[19]

On 2 March 2021, the Government confirmed that it would be raising managed isolation booking fees for temporary visa holders by more than NZ$2,000 from 25 March. This price hike was criticised by the Migrant Workers Association's spokesperson Anu Kaloti and migrants residing in New Zealand with relatives overseas.[20][21]

On 22 March, Radio New Zealand and The New Zealand Herald reported that the Managed Isolation and Quarantine system was receiving an average of 100 complaints a week due to lengthy wait-times; with people having to reserve rooms at least 16 weeks in advance. This led MIQ to consider a wait-list for peak times to manage the demand for places in MIQ.[22]

On 23 March, the New Zealand Government announced that it had raised the time needed for New Zealand permanent residents and citizens to stay in New Zealand without incurring MIQ fees from 90 days to 180 days. In addition, the Government raised the accommodation fees for temporary visa holders (including partners, spouses, legal guardians and children of returning New Zealanders) and migrant health workers; with $950 for an additional adult in a room and $475 for a child aged 3–17 for those travelling together. If travelling separately, the temporary entry class visa holder would be charged the higher fees of $5520 for the first or only person in a room, $2990 for an additional adult, and $1610 for an additional child.[23]

On 1 April, the Government confirmed that it would loosen rules for securing emergency spots in managed isolation; with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) stating that 100 more places in MIQ would be available each fortnight. This policy shift affected New Zealand citizens and residents applying to enter the country to see relatives with terminal illnesses and less than six months to live; citizens and residents who had travelled overseas to visit terminally ill relatives; citizens and residents of Pacific Islands countries requiring time-critical medical treatment in New Zealand that they couldn't receive at home; and those facing risks to their health and safety overseas.[24][25]

According to statistics released by the Health Ministry in early April 2021, there had been 117 imported cases from India in managed isolation since the start of February, compared with 17 from the United States and 11 from the United Kingdom.[26] In response to this and the rising number of cases in India, the New Zealand Government announced that it would close the border to travellers from India between 4pm on 11 April (Sunday) and 28 April. This temporary travel ban would also affect New Zealand citizens and residents travelling from India.[27]

On 13 April, it was reported that nearly all security guards at MIQ facilities were recruited from private security firms despite the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) deciding to employ its own security force following a privacy breach in August 2020. Following a recruitment drive by MBIE, it was reported that nearly 400 people had applied for 156 security officer vacancies at MIQ facilities. MBIE had also recruited 31 of 32 operations and security managers.[28]

On 10 May, the Government announced that 500 spaces a fortnight would be allocated over the next ten months for skilled and critical workers. This would include 300 workers under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, with 2,400 expected to arrive by March 2022. Prior to that, ten percent of managed isolation places had been allocated to skilled and critical workers. Prime Minister Ardern confirmed that these spaces would include construction workers for the Auckland City Rail Link and Wellington's Transmission Gully Motorway. In addition, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said the travel bubble with Australia would allow more places in managed isolation to be allocated to skilled and critical workers.[29]

The joint leadership roles of MIQ changed in June when New Zealand Army Brigadier Rose King replaced Brigadier Jim Bliss at the conclusion of his secondment to MBIE. She joined Megan Main as Joint Head of MIQ.[30]

Following the New Zealand Government's suspension of the travel bubble with Australia at 11:59 pm on 23 July, the Government also confirmed that New Zealanders returning home from Australia except New South Wales before 11:59 pm on 30 July would not have to go into managed isolation. Those returning from Australia after 30 July would have to go into managed isolation.[31][32]

On 2 August, Prime Minister Ardern announced that seasonal workers from Tonga, Samoa and Vanuatu would be allowed to enter the country without having to undergo managed isolation from September 2021 onwards. This was to address the labour shortage in the agricultural and horticultural sector. Tonga, Samoa and Vanuatu had reported low transmissions of COVID-19.[33][34]

On 22 August, the Government began voluntary home isolation of suspected and verified community cases with available quarantine capacity used primarily to house healthy and COVID-19 free returnees.[35]

On 25 August, Radio New Zealand reported that the number of MIQ rooms available to returning New Zealanders had declined due to a cohorting system that was introduced in April and May 2021 to minimise the risk of users spreading COVID-19 to later users. Between 350 and 500 MIQ rooms each fortnight were set aside for large groups such as sports teams, seasonal and construction workers, and refugees. Other factors affecting the availability of rooms including maintenance, an increase in the number of emergency allocation rooms from 250 to 350, and people not turning up for MIQ bookings.[36]

On 1 September, COVID-19 Response Minister Hipkins confirmed that the Government had extended a pause on MIQ bookings to accommodate community cases from the Auckland August 2021 Delta outbreak. Hipkins also advised New Zealand expatriates abroad to cancel their holiday plans to return to New Zealand due to pressure on the MIQ system.[37] On 2 September, the opposition National Party proposed five changes to the MIQ system including banning bots and third party providers, creating a new points system to allocate space, the introduction of a waiting list, transparency over room release dates, and the establishment of a Kiwi Expat Advisory Group.[38]

A poll in September 2021 found the public overwhelmingly supported the elimination strategy – 85% of the population.<Kiwis back Covid elimination strategy: poll>. MIQ was one of the primary methods preventing introduction and subsequent community spread of Covid-19.

On 27 September, Ardern announced that the Government would be launching a home isolation trial for 150 selected travellers. Expressions of interest would be open from 30 September to 8 December. Participants must be New Zealand residents. In addition, Ardern confirmed that the quarantine-free travel for Pacific Recognised Seasonal Employer workers from Vanuatu, Samoa, and Tonga would resume in early October to address the agricultural and horticultural sectors' demand for migrant workers over the summer period.[39]

In October 2021, the Delta variant began spreading widely in New Zealand with community cases quickly outpacing cases detected at the border.[40] By 22 October, the country had recorded a record of 129 new community cases.[41] On 4 October, the Government abandoned New Zealand's elimination strategy, citing its failure to contained the Delta variant outbreak that began in Auckland in August 2021.[42]

On 21 October, the Government confirmed that repatriation flights carrying New Zealand citizens who had been deported from Australia under Section 501(3A) of the Australian Migration Act 1958 would resume in November 2021 following a three-month hiatus. The Government had contracted a designated MIQ facility to host these returnees.[43]

On 28 October, COVID-19 Response Minister Hipkins announced that international arrivals would only have to isolate for seven days from 14 November in an effort to free up about 1,500 rooms a month. From 8 November, fully vaccinated travellers from low-risk Pacific Island countries such as the Cook Islands would be eligible for quarantine-free travel.[44][45]

On 24 November, Hipkins announced that MIQ border restrictions would be eased in a three-stage process over 2022:

  • From 17 January, all fully vaccinated New Zealanders and other eligible travellers could travel to New Zealand from Australia without having to go through managed isolation and quarantine.
  • From 14 February, all fully vaccinated New Zealanders and other eligible travellers could travel to New Zealand from all other countries without having to go through MIQ.
  • From 30 April, all fully vaccinated foreign travellers could travel to New Zealand without having to go through MIQ.[46][47][48]

On 21 December 2021, Hipkins announced that the Government would be delaying the planned reopening of the country's border to the end of February 2022 in order to combat the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. In addition, the length of stay at MIQ facilities for all travellers was raised to ten days, with no self-isolation component. Hipkins also announced that the Government would treat everyone on an international flight with a positive case as a close contact.[49]

2022

edit

On 18 January, Hipkins postponed the next MIQ lottery due to a tenfold increase in Omicron cases detected at the border.[50][51] Grounded Kiwis member and Australian–based expatriate Maxine Strydom stated that the Government's decision would cause New Zealanders stranded abroad emotional and mental stress since many were facing expiring visas and job losses. While health economist Professor Paula Lorgelly expressed disappointment with the suspension, she said that she understood the Government's decision, describing it as "a short-term pain for what I perceive to be quite a long-term gain."[51]

In mid–January 2022, The New Zealand Herald reported that a family of four had entered New Zealand without MIQ vouchers, having arrived on a transit ticket to Fiji.[52][53] That same day, Kiwiblog published a guest post by Auckland Barrister Tudor Clee outlining the method to enter New Zealand without obtaining an MIQ voucher prior.[54]

On 21 January, Stuff reported that an online group for New Zealanders stranded overseas was suggesting that New Zealanders could skip the MIQ process by posing as transit passengers traversing through New Zealand. While the Head of MIQ operations Melissa Ross described attempts to enter the country without an MIQ voucher as "selfish acts" that would strain the country's MIQ system, the lawyer Arran Hunt argued that these returning travelers' actions were not illegal since Section 18 of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 granted all New Zealand citizens the right to enter the country.[55]

On 3 February, Ardern announced that the country's borders would be reopened in five stages throughout 2022. Under this arrangement, vaccinated New Zealanders and eligible travellers would be able to go into self-isolation and undergo testing on arrival rather than having to enter MIQ:[citation needed]

  1. 11.59pm, 27 February: Self-isolation opens for New Zealanders and eligible travellers coming from Australia. The self isolation period would last for ten days.
  2. 11.59pm, 13 March: Open to New Zealanders and eligible travellers from the rest of the world; skilled workers earning at least 1.5x median wage; working holiday visa holders. The self isolation period would last for seven days.
  3. 11.59pm, 12 April: Offshore temporary visa holders who still meet visa requirements; 5,000 international students; consideration of class exemptions for critical workers who do not meet the 1.5x median wage test. The self isolation period would last for seven days.
  4. July: Anyone from Australia; visa-waiver travellers; the introduction of new Accredited Employer Work Visa, and the phasing out of skilled worker exemptions.
  5. October: Border reopens to visa categories from the rest of the world.

Unvaccinated travellers would still be required to go into MIQ facilities. While the Government planned to phase out MIQ and gradually convert facilities back into hotels and motels, it still planned to maintain a core quarantine capacity in the form of a National Quarantine Service.[56]

In response to the Government's announcement, University of Otago epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker cautiously welcomed the self isolation provision but expressed concerns about supervision. University of Otago senior lecturer Dr Lesley Gray expressed support for a staged reopening since 94% of the population was double vaccinated but expressed concerns about safeguarding unvaccinated children and the vulnerable. University of Canterbury professor Michael Plank opined that a staged border reopening would help mitigate the risk of a huge jump in cases. By contrast, Dr Emily Harvey, a senior consultant/researcher at Market Economics Ltd and principal investigator with Te Pūnaha Matatini, expressed concern that the proposed rapid antigen testing regime of doing two tests between six days was insufficient and would miss a large number of infections. The National Party welcomed the planned reopening of the border while the ACT party called for the abolition of MIQ. The Green Party urged the Government to support Māori and Pasifika vaccination efforts while advocating for the free distribution of N95 or equivalent masks.[57]

On 17 February, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment amended the public health risk assessment tool to allow more people to be released from MIQ on compassionate grounds. These included more applications for allowing people travel between islands and approving applications featuring children. This amendment was approved by Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield.[58]

On 28 February, Ardern announced that the New Zealand Cabinet had decided, based on advice from the epidemiologist David Skegg's team, that vaccinated travellers entering the country would no longer need to self-isolate from 11.59pm on 2 March. This decision was balanced with other factors including the gradual reopening of New Zealand's borders and rising community cases. All travellers would be required to undergo rapid antigen testing within 24 hours and on the fifth or sixth day of their arrival. In addition, the Government accelerated its plans to reopen the border. New Zealanders and other eligible critical workers would be able to enter the country from 11:59pm on 4 March. Due to immigration processes, non-New Zealanders on temporary visas including working holiday visa holders and Recognised Seasonal Employer workers who were part of the second stage of the Government's reopening plan would be eligible to enter New Zealand from 13 March without having to self-isolate.[59] Prior to the Government's announcement, the advocacy group "Grounded Kiwis (which represented New Zealanders stranded abroad by border restrictions) had questioned the rationale for retaining the MIQ system in the light of rising community cases.[60]

On 10 March, Hipkins announced that all but four of the country's 32 MIQ facilities would revert to being hotels by the end of June 2022. Four MIQ facilities would remain for those needing to undergo managed isolation. Hipkins indicated that the Government had plans to maintain some managed isolation capacity in the form of either hotels or purpose-built quarantine facilities.[1] With the winding-down of the MIQ network, 300 healthcare workers and nurses, 230 police, and 600 Defence Force personnel returned to their roles in the health, defence and police workforces. By March 2022, Hipkins estimated that the MIQ system had accommodated 230,000 people returning to New Zealand and 4,400 people who had contracted COVID-19 in the community.[2]

In mid–April, Radio New Zealand and 1News reported that the Director of Public Health Caroline McElnay and Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield had agreed in late November 2021 that MIQ was no longer justified since the risk of COVID-19 transmission by international arrivals was no longer higher than domestic transmissions; citing a secret Ministry of Health memo. The memo had advised the Government to speed up the reopening of New Zealand's border. However, the Government had delayed opening the border until 2 March 2022. In response to media coverage of the memo, Grounded Kiwis spokesperson Martin Newell and National Party leader Christopher Luxon criticised the Government's decision to delay reopening the border to stranded citizens, residents and temporary visa holders. Hipkins, Ardern and Baker defended the Government's decision to delay reopening New Zealand's border, arguing that it gave health authorities enough time to boost vaccination rates and to delay the spread of Omicron.[61][62]

On 3 May 2022, Hipkins announced that unvaccinated visa holders, permanent residents, and Australian citizens residing in New Zealand would be able to travel to and from the country without having to undergo MIQ. He justified the New Zealand Government's decision on the basis of the lower health risks of overseas transmission and New Zealand's high vaccination rate.[63] That same day, MBIE confirmed that the country's four remaining MIQ facilities in Auckland and Christchurch would close by August 2022 due to the low number of people using them. The Head of MIQ, Andy Milne, justified the closure on the basis that people entering New Zealand were no longer required to enter MIQ. According to 1News, there were only 94 people using 54 rooms across the four facilities in early May 2022.[64]

In mid-December 2022, Newsroom reported that two New Zealand citizens who entered New Zealand on transit tickets in January 2022 had been subject to enforcement by Police and fined $1000. Barrister Tudor Clee defended the case pro bono and the fines were dismissed by the Court. The Court ruled that they were legally entitled to enter the country as New Zealand citizens.[65] That same month, Newshub reported that the New Zealand Government had considered charging citizens using the transit method to enter New Zealand with an imprisonable offence of up to six months in jail or a NZ$12,000 fine. Prime Minister Ardern had defended the consideration of imprisonment on the grounds that those using the transit method were causing "so much distress for those already using the system."[66] After the media broke the story about people entering New Zealand via the "transit route," the Government panicked, and a panel consisting of Crown Law, multiple ministries and advisors accepted that they could not stop the route.[67]

List of managed isolation hotels

edit
 
 
Auckland
 
Hamilton
 
Rotorua
 
Wellington
 
Christchurch
Location of managed isolation hotels in New Zealand

The following hotels were used as managed isolation facilities:[9][68]

hotel name image Location Comments
Crowne Plaza Auckland   Auckland
Four Points by Sheraton   Auckland
Grand Mercure Auckland   Auckland
Grand Millennium   Auckland
Haka Hotel Newmarket Auckland until early July 2020[69]
Ibis Ellerslie Auckland
M Social   Auckland
Novotel Ellerslie Auckland
Pullman Hotel Auckland
Ramada Auckland   Auckland until 1 September 2020
Rydges Auckland   Auckland
Sebel Manukau Auckland
SO/ Auckland   Auckland
Stamford Plaza Auckland
Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre Auckland
Holiday Inn Auckland Airport Auckland Airport
Jet Park Hotel Auckland Airport
Naumi Auckland Airport Auckland Airport
Novotel Auckland Airport   Auckland Airport
Sudima Auckland Airport Auckland Airport
Chateau on the Park   Christchurch
Crowne Plaza Christchurch   Christchurch from 18 August 2020[70]
Distinction Christchurch Hotel   Christchurch
Commodore Hotel Christchurch Airport
Novotel Christchurch Airport   Christchurch Airport
Sudima Christchurch Airport Christchurch Airport
Distinction Hotel Te Rapa Hamilton
Ibis Tainui Hamilton
Jet Park Hotel Hamilton
Ibis Rotorua Rotorua
Rydges Rotorua   Rotorua
Sudima Rotorua   Rotorua
Grand Mercure   Wellington
Bay Plaza Hotel Wellington

Impact

edit

Number of deaths caused by Covid-19 pandemic

edit

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, New Zealand had one of the lowest pandemic mortality (death) rates in the world.[71]

Introduction and community spread of Covid-19 into the New Zealand population was largely prevented by MIQ until early 2022. This allowed the majority of the population to get vaccinated before widespread community transmission started occurring, saving thousands of lives. University of Otago epidemiologist Michael Baker stated MIQ likely saved at least 10,000 lives.[72]

Economic impact

edit

By 29 September 2021 the MIQ system had hosted 175,422 guests[73] and had played an important role in securing New Zealand's borders from transitioning cases with COVID-19. MIQ propped up the accommodation sector of the New Zealand economy, making extensive use of hotel facilities (which lost access to the formerly extensive international tourism market) and providing employment for New Zealanders.[74]

On 17 November, the Government disclosed that it had failed to collect invoices worth at least NZ$36 million for MIQ stays. The New Zealand Herald also reported that an Ōpōtiki woman had been pursued by debt collectors over a NZ$4,000 bill for an MIQ stay that she never had due to mistaken identity.[75]

On 22 June 2022, Radio New Zealand reported that the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment had spent nearly NZ$800 million on leasing agreements with 33 hotels repurposed for MIQ usage between October 2020 and March 2022.[76]

Mental health

edit

According to a Radio New Zealand report published on 1 October 2021, psychologists reported emerging evidence of long-term and in some cases "severe" effects on individuals who had spent time in managed isolation and quarantine, caused by a lack of autonomy, social contact and control over their environment.[77]

In late January 2022, an Auckland builder named Paul Mullaly described the MIQ system as "cruel and inhumane" after failing to secure a place in order to visit his mother prior to her death in New Zealand. Mullaly, who is based in Ireland, was only able to watch his mother's last moments via video conference.[78]

On 17 February 2022, a survey commissioned by advocacy group "Grounded Kiwis" claimed that 78% of respondents reported that the MIQ system had an adverse impact on their physical and mental health. Of these respondents, 70 percent experienced stress, 63 percent experienced anxiety, 35 percent experienced depression, 32 percent experienced insomnia, and 12 percent experienced panic attacks. The results of the survey were released to the news broadcaster Newshub.[79]

Following the downsizing of the MIQ system, Stuff reported in early April 2022 that the New Zealand Defence Force's two-year deployment in Operation Protect to manage the country's border facilities had contributed to rising attrition rates, low morale, and stress among military personnel. According to figures released by the Defence Force, the New Zealand Army's attrition rate had risen from 9% in February 2021 to 13.7% in February 2022. In addition, 7,600 personnel who had participated in Operation Protect underwent mental health screening while 1,800 personnel were referred to a mental health psychologist.[80]

Issues

edit

Accessibility

edit

There were periods where demand for accommodation spots at Managed Isolation and Quarantine facilities outstripped the number of rooms available. On 20 September 2021, Stuff reported that 26,000 people were competing for 3,000 MIQ spaces listed on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment website's "virtual lobby" allowing entry to New Zealand in November and December 2021.[81] In mid-September 2021, Julie South of the veterinary recruitment agency VetStaff launched a petition calling for the Government to set aside two MIQ spaces each week for overseas-based veterinarians in order to address the shortage of veterinarians in New Zealand.[82]

Difficulties for border-crossers in securing places in MIQ facilities attracted media and public attention.[83] In early October, The Southland Times reported that Southland Hospital's maternity unit might be downgraded since its director, Dr Jim Faherty, who had been granted compassionate leave to visit his ill parents in the United States, was unable to secure a place in MIQ.[84] On 6 October, a pregnant Auckland woman named Sami filed a legal challenge against MBIE's decision to deny her stranded husband an MIQ voucher so that he could care for her and their child. According to Stuff, the MIQ system had received 229 applications involving a pregnant woman since 30 October 2020. However, there were no specific emergency allocation criteria for pregnant women or their partners who were stuck overseas. Sami sought to change that policy.[85]

On 20 October 2021, the Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier launched an independent investigation into the MIQ system after receiving 200 complaints about the system. According to Boshier, the complaints fit into four broad categories: "they claim the allocation system is unlawful, unfit for purpose, unfair, and poorly managed."[86][87]

On 22 June 2022, The New Zealand Herald reported that the Government would investigate the allocation of emergency MIQ spots during COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, with particular attention to the treatment of pregnant women wanting to return to New Zealand to give birth.[88]

On 12 December 2022, Ombudsman Boshier released his findings into the MIQ allocation system. His report found that MBIE acted "unreasonably" while implementing some parts of the MIQ system during the COVID-19 pandemic and that Government officials did not acknowledge the impact that the allocation system (used during the periods when demand outstripped supply) would have on people's lives. Boshier also found that the MIQ voucher system did not meet the needs of New Zealanders who had a genuine or urgent need to travel nor those experiencing delays in returning to New Zealand. In addition, there were no provisions for disabled people to independently apply for vouchers.[89][90] In response to the Onbudsman's report, Grounded Kiwis spokesperson Martin Newell endorsed the reports' findings, stating that the Government "failed to develop a system that took more account of personal circumstance, as a result of that the process of booking an MIQ spot caused a lot of heartache for a lot of individuals."[90]

Despite the issues identified, Ombudsman Peter Boshier also stated in his report that “MBIE did not act unreasonably with respect to: A – its efforts to increase MIQ capacity, given the limitations imposed by public health settings and workforce constraints; and B – the use of available capacity in MIQ, with rooms being empty at times for unavoidable reasons.” His report further stated “I acknowledge the difficult challenges that MBIE faced in managing MIQ, and the vital role that MIQ played in the Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. MBIE provided a large volume of advice to Ministers at pace, in unprecedented circumstances, and in a high-stakes and constantly changing environment where the risk to public health was high.” [91]

Charlotte Bellis

edit

In late January 2022, former Al Jazeera journalist Charlotte Bellis unsuccessfully attempted to secure a place in the MIQ lottery after becoming pregnant with her partner Jim Huylebroek, a photographer and contributor to The New York Times. Due to Qatar's laws penalising extramarital pregnancy, Bellis had left Qatar. Since she was unable to stay on a long-term basis in Huylebroek's native Belgium, the couple had travelled to Afghanistan, where they had visas to live, and sought help from the Taliban. Bellis publicised her ordeal in an open letter published in The New Zealand Herald.[92] Besides the New Zealand media, Bellis' case was covered by several international media including The Guardian, GB News, The Washington Post, ABC News, and the Sydney Morning Herald.[93][94][95][96][97][98] In response to media coverage, Chris Bunny, the head of the MIQ system, confirmed that staff had advised Bellis about making a second application that would meet the requirements for emergency travel.[95][94] Bellis' situation was highlighted by ACT Party leader David Seymour, National Party COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop, and GB News presenter Dan Wooton as an example of the perceived "cruelty" of the MIQ system.[94][99]

After COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins alleged that Bellis had spurned a Government offer for a place in emergency allocation, Bellis' lawyer Tudor Clee accused Hipkins of breaching her privacy. She also questioned the effectiveness of the emergency allocation system, citing the low success rate for pregnant women. According to The New Zealand Herald, only 29 of the emergency allocation applications involving a pregnancy that were submitted between 1 June 2021 and 1 February 2022 were approved. 65 applications were declined while 118 were cancelled by applicants or were not processed since they were incomplete. The Herald also reported that MIQ had approved 5,396 of the 8,863 emergency allocation applications submitted between 30 October 2020 and 23 January 2022.[100]

On 1 February 2022, Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson confirmed that the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment had offered Bellis and Huylebroek places in managed isolation. Bellis accepted the Government's offer but reiterated that she would continue to challenge the Government's MIQ system.[101][102]

In mid-June 2022, Hipkins publicly apologised for releasing personal information without Bellis' consent and making "inaccurate comments" about Bellis travelling to Afghanistan and being offered consular assistance by the New Zealand authorities. Hipkins had earlier apologised in private to Bellis in mid-March 2022. Bellis accepted Hipkins' apology and stated she would continue to challenge the MIQ system.[103]

Quality issues

edit

On 3 September 2021 a mother who tested positive for COVID-19 drew media attention after verbally abusing staff members and military personnel at the Novotel & Ibis Ellerslie MIQ facility. The woman had experienced stress and anxiety since entering into managed isolation earlier in the week with her two children. She was also frustrated by delays in the time that staff took to provide food and medicine to her and her children. The woman had posted several Facebook Live videos about her ordeal. In response, Brigadier Rose King apologised for the poor quality of the service but criticised the woman for verbally abusing staff and potentially exposing them to COVID-19. As a result, two staff members have entered into self-isolation while other staff have not returned to work due to fears about their own safety. The family was subsequently transferred by MIQ staff to a different MIQ facility.[104][105]

On 4 September, the management of the Sudima Hotel Auckland Airport facility apologised to the Quellin family after specks of urine and hair were found on the toilet seat within the family's room, but insisted they had followed normal sanitisation protocols. Mrs Quellin and her infant child had recently returned from a trip to Germany to visit her terminally-ill mother.[106]

On 7 October 2021, a Jewish MIQ guest at a Christchurch facility complained that frozen kosher meals were unfit for human consumption. In response, an MIQ facility said the team at the facility in Christchurch has solicited advice on how to best meet the requirements of a kosher diet.[107]

Breaches and incidents

edit

2020

edit

On 5 July 2020, it was reported that a woman who had escaped managed isolation at the Pullman Hotel in Auckland had been apprehended and charged with breaching the 14-day isolation period under the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020. The woman had arrived from Australia on 27 June.[108][109]

On 8 July, a 32-year-old man, who had arrived from India, was charged with violating Section 26 (1) of the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020 after he escaped managed isolation at the Stamford Plaza Hotel in central Auckland. He visited the Countdown supermarket in Victoria Street before being located by security guards after 70 minutes. After the man tested positive for COVID-19, the supermarket closed temporarily, with its staff entering into self-isolation.[110]

On 10 July a man was arrested for violating the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020 after he had cut through a fence at a managed-isolation facility at Distinction Hotel in Hamilton and visited a liquor store the previous night.[111] The man had tested negative for COVID-19 and was later identified as a 52-year-old Queenstown resident,[112] who had returned from Sydney on 1 July.[111] On 27 August the Hamilton District Court sentenced him to 40 hours' community service and ordered him to pay NZ$1,000 in reparations for damaging a flat-screen television set in his room.[113]

On 11 July a man in his 60s escaped a managed-isolation facility at Waipuna Hotel in Auckland and knocked on the doors of three residents outside the facility. He was subsequently picked up by police and placed under armed guard at Waipuna Hotel.[114][115]

On 25 July it was reported that authorities had detained a family of five (comprising a mother and four children aged 12, 16, 17, and 18) for breaching managed isolation at the Distinction Hotel in Hamilton. The family had arrived from Brisbane in Australia on 21 July in order to attend a relative's funeral in Auckland. While the family's application for an exemption was being processed by the Health Ministry, they had escaped by breaking a window and scaling a fence. Police apprehended four members of the family in a nearby park, while the 17-year old had travelled to Auckland where he was detained by police there. Government minister Woods criticised the family breaking the rules, stating that "while we can understand their grief we can not let one tragedy to turn into a tragedy of hundreds". Four members of the family were charged with breaching a Health Act notice.[116] On 28 August, the mother and her 18-year-old daughter were sentenced to 14 days imprisonment by Judge Noel Sainsbury of the Auckland District Court.[117] The mother and her daughter's harsher sentence in comparison to a 52-year-old man in Hamilton who was sentenced to no jail time raised questions about alleged "systematic racism" in the New Zealand justice system against Māori.[118] New Zealand Public Party leader Billy Te Kahika has advocated on behalf of the woman and her family, also claiming credit for getting her sentence reduced by seven days.[119]

On 30 July a 32-year-old man who had travelled from Brisbane was apprehended following a failed attempt to breach managed isolation at the Crowne Plaza in central Auckland. The man was charged under the COVID-19 Public Health Response Act.[120]

On 14 October a 22-year-old woman was charged with allegedly trying to escape from Auckland's Grand Millennium Hotel during three incidents in October 2020.[121]

On 11 November the West Indies cricket team were denied further training privileges after members breached managed-isolation rules by mingling and sharing food while in managed isolation at the "Chateau in the Park" hotel in Christchurch.[122]

2021

edit

On 29 January 2021 a staff member at Auckland's Grand Millennium Hotel was dismissed after a 20-minute "encounter" with a returnee in managed isolation.[123]

On 7 February the final 60 returnees at the Pullman Managed Isolation Facility completed their health checks and were released. The facility planned a deep clean per infection prevention and its systems will be reviewed.[124]

On 23 February an Australian traveller named Lucinda Baulch was released after spending 28 days in managed isolation in Wellington while refusing to take a COVID-19 test. The woman had attended an anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne in November 2020. National Party leader Judith Collins called for the deportation of the woman back to Australia.[125]

In early June 2021 New Zealand authorities placed three Melbourne residents in managed isolation after they entered New Zealand without informing authorities that they had circumvented a two-week lockdown in Melbourne by driving to Sydney and then flying to Auckland. The three individuals had intended to attend a funeral in New Zealand.[126][127]

On 17 June 2021 Radio New Zealand reported that 12 travellers from Samoa at the Crowne Park managed-isolation facility in Auckland had breached managed isolation by socialising on three occasions despite receiving warnings. All 12 remained with the threat of an extended MIQ stay if anyone in the group were to test positive for COVID-19; four received a police warning.[128]

On 2 September a COVID-19 "community" case absconded from the Novotel & Ibis Ellerslie MIQ facility in Auckland and returned to his home. Police detained the man following a 12-hour manhunt. He later appeared in court via phone and was charged with breaching a COVID-19 public-health order. He was bailed back to the Novotel facility.[129] The National Party's COVID-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop sought an investigation by the Government into delays by MIQ staff and police in reporting and responding to the individual's escape.[130] The man's mother, known as "Mele", confirmed that she had alerted the authorities to her son's escape and apologised for his actions.[131]

On 4 September, a man made two attempts to access the Stamford Plaza quarantine facility in Auckland, but was discovered by staff. Police issued the man with two warnings for unlawfully accessing the property and breaching COVID-19 lockdown rules.[132]

On 20 October, joint head of MIQ Brigadier Rose King confirmed that three COVID-19 positive community cases staying at the Holiday Inn hotel near Auckland Airport had allegedly absconded the previous night. Two of the men were apprehended while one remained at large.[133]

edit

In early September 2021, a pregnant New Zealand woman named Bergen Graham filed a legal challenge against the Health Minister Andrew Little and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment after making six unsuccessful attempts to secure a place in MIQ through the voucher system. Graham, who was living in El Salvador, had sought to return to New Zealand since February 2021 due to her high risk pregnancy stemming from a blood condition. MBIE subsequently granted her a place in MIQ, leading her to drop her legal challenge. However, Graham's lawyer Francis Joychild QC confirmed that other plaintiffs would continue with their legal actions over MIQ bookings on the grounds that the MIQ system was breaching Section 18 of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990.[134]

On 8 October 2021, an advocacy group called "Grounded Kiwis" filed a judicial review claim in the High Court against the Health Minister Little, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins, and the Chief Executive of MBIE claiming that they had they acted "unlawfully and unreasonably" in the design and operation of the MIQ system." Grounded Kiwis spokesperson Alexandra Birt alleged that the Government had failed to protect the rights of New Zealanders to enter the country and claimed that the "first-in-first served" allocation system breached Section 18(2) of the Bill of Rights Act 1990. The group was represented by Wellington barristers Paul Radich QC and Lucila van Dam, barristers of Clifton Chambers law firm in Wellington. Grounded Kiwis also filed to be an incorporated society representing New Zealanders affected by the MIQ system.[135] By 10 October, Grounded Kiwis had raised more than NZ$72,000 through a Givealittle fundraising campaign.[136]

On 14 December, Grounded Kiwis submitted a petition with 22,888 signatures to the New Zealand Parliament, calling for the MIQ system to better align with the Bill of Rights. The group was received by the National Party's COVID-19 Response spokesperson Chris Bishop, ACT Party leader David Seymour and Green Party Member of Parliament Elizabeth Kerekere. Bishop described the MIQ allocation system as a "lottery of human misery that had gone on far too long" while Seymour described the current MIQ situation as "verging on a form of torture." Kerekere stated that the MIQ situation "was not just a Bill of Rights issue, but also of the Treaty of Waitangi."[137]

On 27 April 2022, High Court Justice Jill Mallon ruled in favour on some grounds of Grounded Kiwis' legal challenge against the MIQ system. Mallon found that certain aspects of the MIQ system – such as the "virtual lobby" and the inability to take applicants' personal circumstances into account – breached the Bill of Rights Act 1990. Other issues identified included the limited supply of spaces and the strict criteria for emergency allocation. [138][139] However, Justice Mallon agreed with medical experts that MIQ had played a vital role in achieving the Government’s public health objectives, and said over the period the judicial review focused on – between 1 September and 17 December 2021 – the requirements to have a voucher for MIQ did not amount to an unjustified infringement. She also said that the requirement to isolate in one of the MIQ facilities was within reasonable and proportionate limits. “Other options would not sufficiently have achieved the public health objectives the Government had legitimately determined to pursue.”[140]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Covid-19: Most MIQ facilities to be closed by end of June". Radio New Zealand. 10 March 2022. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  2. ^ a b McDonald, Kelvin (10 March 2022). "MIQ closure: Only four hotels left by end of June". Te Ao Maori News. Maori Television. Archived from the original on 18 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  3. ^ Cooke, Henry; Chumko, Andre. "Coronavirus: First case of virus in New Zealand". Stuff. Archived from the original on 28 February 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  4. ^ "New Zealand confirms case of Covid-19 coronavirus". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 28 February 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  5. ^ "Coronavirus: Everyone coming to New Zealand must isolate for 14 days, Prime Minister Ardern says". Stuff. Archived from the original on 14 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  6. ^ Williams, Katarina; Devlin, Collette (18 March 2020). "Coronavirus: Government tells 80,000 Kiwis to come home now, but some are struggling". Stuff. Archived from the original on 8 July 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  7. ^ "Covid-19: Quarantine or 'managed isolation' compulsory for all arrivals into NZ, PM says". Radio New Zealand. 9 April 2020. Archived from the original on 9 April 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  8. ^ Williams, Katarina (7 July 2020). "Coronavirus: 3480 people expected to enter border hotels this week". Stuff. Archived from the original on 5 August 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  9. ^ a b Deguara, Brittney (11 August 2020). "Coronavirus: Everything you need to know about managed isolation and quarantine facilities". Stuff. Archived from the original on 28 August 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  10. ^ Gibson, Kathryn; Milne, Andrew; Millar, Anthony (26 June 2020). "Review of managed isolation and quarantine" (PDF). Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 July 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  11. ^ Cooke, Henry (19 June 2020). "Housing Minister Megan Woods taking on responsibility for border management". Stuff. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  12. ^ "Housing Minister Megan Woods to oversee managed isolation and quarantine facilities". Radio New Zealand. 19 June 2020. Archived from the original on 20 June 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  13. ^ "Government Strengthens Managed Isolation System" (Press release). Wellington: New Zealand Government. Scoop. 28 June 2020. Archived from the original on 8 August 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  14. ^ "Key facts and figures". Managed Isolation and Quarantine. New Zealand Government. 3 May 2022. Archived from the original on 12 July 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  15. ^ Thornber, Lorna (11 October 2020). "'Worse than getting Glastonbury tickets': Managed isolation allocation system crashes, returnees experience booking issues". Stuff. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  16. ^ Block, George (12 November 2020). "Covid-19: MIQ guests mingled with tenants of apartment linked to community case". Stuff. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  17. ^ Wade, Amelia (12 November 2020). "Covid 19 coronavirus: Two new community cases, say Chris Hipkins and Ashley Bloomfield". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  18. ^ "Covid 19 Coronavirus: Ground zero at Auckland Pullman MIQ – four cases and counting". The New Zealand Herald. 28 January 2021. Archived from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  19. ^ Sommerville, Troes (29 January 2021). "Covid-19: Mother believes teen daughter caught virus at Auckland's Pullman Hotel". Stuff. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  20. ^ Burrell, Miriam (2 March 2021). "Covid 19 coronavirus: MIQ fees for temporary visa holders set to skyrocket". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  21. ^ Tan, Lincoln (15 March 2021). "Covid 19 coronavirus: Migrant mum desperate to bring kids over slams MIQ fee hike as 'inhumane'". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  22. ^ Todd, Katie (22 March 2021). "Covid 19 coronavirus: MIQ receiving about 100 complaints each week". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 22 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  23. ^ Cheng, Derek (23 March 2021). "Covid 19 coronavirus: Government changes managed isolation rules, non-Kiwis face price increase". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 23 March 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  24. ^ Earley, Melanie (1 April 2021). "Covid-19: More people now eligible for emergency slots in managed isolation". Stuff. Archived from the original on 1 April 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  25. ^ "More people able to apply for emergency MIQ spaces under newly announced changes". 1News. TVNZ. Archived from the original on 1 April 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  26. ^ Lynch, Keith (9 April 2021). "Covid-19: What the numbers say about the India travel ban". Stuff. Archived from the original on 9 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  27. ^ Ensor, Jamie (8 April 2021). "Coronavirus: Jacinda Ardern announces suspension of arrivals from India for two weeks". Newshub. Archived from the original on 8 April 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  28. ^ Todd, Katie (13 April 2021). "Covid 19 coronavirus: MIQ security guards still mostly contractors". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  29. ^ Neilson, Michael (11 May 2021). "Covid 19 coronavirus: 500 extra managed isolation spaces a fortnight for skilled and critical workers". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  30. ^ "Welcoming Brigadier Rose King as new Joint Head of MIQ". Managed isolation and quarantine. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  31. ^ "Travel with Australia". Health.govt.nz. Ministry of Health. 23 July 2021. Archived from the original on 23 July 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  32. ^ "NZ government suspends quarantine-free travel with Australia for at least eight weeks". Radio New Zealand. 23 July 2021. Archived from the original on 23 July 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  33. ^ "Ardern announces RSE workers allowed one-way quarantine-free travel". Radio New Zealand. 2 August 2021. Archived from the original on 2 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  34. ^ "Seasonal workers allowed into NZ from September". Otago Daily Times. 2 August 2021. Archived from the original on 2 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  35. ^ "COVID-19: Self-isolation, managed isolation/quarantine". Ministry of Health. 22 August 2021. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  36. ^ Bond, Jordan (25 August 2021). "New Zealanders miss out on managed isolation rooms due to 'cohorting' system". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  37. ^ Manch, Thomas (1 September 2021). "Covid-19: Government extends freeze on managed isolation bookings to grapple with rising Covid cases". Stuff. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  38. ^ Fuseworks Media (2 September 2021). "National's plan to fix managed isolation allocation system". Voxy. Archived from the original on 2 September 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  39. ^ "Covid 19 Delta outbreak: PM Jacinda Ardern fronts post-Cabinet update, outlines self-isolation travel trial; RSE bubble". The New Zealand Herald. 27 September 2021. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  40. ^ McClure, Tess (11 October 2021). "New Zealand braces for rising Covid cases as expert warns of potential explosion". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  41. ^ Earley, Melanie (22 October 2021). "Covid-19: 129 new cases in Delta community outbreak, highest number yet". Stuff. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  42. ^ Frost, Natasha (22 October 2021). "New Zealand abandons its goal of eliminating the coronavirus". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  43. ^ Block, George (21 October 2021). "Covid-19: 501 deportee flights to resume, dedicated isolation hotel stood up". Stuff. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  44. ^ Witton, Bridie (28 October 2021). "Covid-19: MIQ stays shortened for vaccinated travellers but Ardern says trans-Tasman bubble would be like striking matches in a wildfire". Stuff. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  45. ^ Cheng, Derek (28 October 2021). "Covid-19 Delta outbreak: 89 cases today; Christchurch to stay at level 2, MIQ stays cut in half – Chris Hipkins". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  46. ^ Hipkins, Chris (24 November 2021). "Reconnecting New Zealand – the next steps". Beehive.govt.nz. New Zealand Government. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  47. ^ "Covid-19: Major MIQ changes from early next year". Radio New Zealand. 24 November 2021. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  48. ^ Downes, Siobhan (24 November 2021). "Covid-19: Fully vaccinated Kiwis can skip MIQ from February". Stuff. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  49. ^ "Covid-19 Omicron: Chris Hipkins reveals decision on borders, boosters amid Omicron threat". The New Zealand Herald. 21 December 2021. Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  50. ^ "Government postpones next MIQ lottery due to spike of Omicron cases at the border". Radio New Zealand. 18 January 2022. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  51. ^ a b McClure, Tess (19 January 2022). "New Zealand closes borders to new arrivals over 'unprecedented' Omicron risk". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  52. ^ Keall, Chris (19 January 2022). "MIQ rule-dodging family: Customs confirms one point, other agencies scrambling". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  53. ^ Wilson, Janet (21 January 2022). "Othering those Kiwis outside our border only sows division". Stuff. Archived from the original on 4 January 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  54. ^ "Guest Post: Are Kiwis too scared to come home? The border is wide open". Kiwiblog. 19 January 2022. Archived from the original on 4 January 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  55. ^ Thornber, Lorna (22 January 2022). "'Zero tolerance' for Kiwis trying to enter country as bogus transit passengers". Stuff. Archived from the original on 21 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  56. ^ "Covid-19: Border reopening for New Zealanders confirmed for end of February – what you need to know". Radio New Zealand. 3 February 2022. Archived from the original on 3 February 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  57. ^ "Covid-19: Experts give stamp of approval to government's border re-opening plan". Radio New Zealand. 3 February 2022. Archived from the original on 4 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  58. ^ Coughlan, Thomas (17 February 2022). "Covid 19 Omicron: Grounds for compassionate MIQ exemptions broadened". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 16 February 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  59. ^ "Jacinda Ardern provides post-Cabinet briefing on border restrictions, Ukraine". Radio New Zealand. 28 February 2022. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  60. ^ "'No reason' left for MIQ with Covid-19 community cases outnumbering border ones – group". Radio New Zealand. 26 February 2022. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  61. ^ Todd, Katie (19 April 2022). "MIQ not justified beyond November, health officials told govt last year". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 20 April 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  62. ^ Hurihanganui, Te Aniwa (20 April 2022). "Ardern, Hipkins defend keeping MIQ amid Omicron outbreak". 1News. TVNZ. Archived from the original on 20 April 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  63. ^ "MIQ exemption extended to more unvaccinated, including Australians". Radio New Zealand. 3 May 2022. Archived from the original on 3 May 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  64. ^ "Final MIQ hotels to wrap-up early due to low demand". 1News. 3 May 2022. Archived from the original on 3 May 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  65. ^ "Accused MIQ 'queue jumpers' prosecuted – but vindicated in court". Newsroom. 16 December 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  66. ^ "Jacinda Ardern doesn't apologise over MIQ lottery system as documents reveal Govt considered imprisoning Kiwis who used loophole". Newshub. 12 December 2023. Archived from the original on 4 January 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  67. ^ "Lawyer Of The Year 2022 Tudor Clee – From Car Boot To 'Loophole Lawyer', The Lawyer Who Fought The Government And Won". 19 December 2022. Archived from the original on 4 January 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  68. ^ "Facility locations". New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment.[permanent dead link]
  69. ^ Carroll, Melanie (25 June 2020). "Two Air India passengers treated at Auckland Airport". Stuff. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  70. ^ Cropp, Amanda (6 August 2020). "New Christchurch 'iso hotel' offers bird watching for guests". Stuff. Archived from the original on 30 August 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  71. ^ "Covid-19: Vaccines saved thousands of lives during Omicron outbreak, study estimates". RNZ. 10 February 2024. Archived from the original on 11 February 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  72. ^ "MIQ not justified beyond November, health officials told govt last year". RNZ. 19 April 2022. Archived from the original on 20 April 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  73. ^ "Managed isolation and quarantine data". Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Archived from the original on 1 October 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  74. ^ Milne, Jonathan (2 September 2021). "Investors warned as desolate hotels claim wage subsidies". Newsroom. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2021. Millennium & Copthorne Hotels says the company has already had more than 9000 night stays cancelled this lockdown, affecting profitability, and it is applying for the wage subsidy for staff at all its closed properties.
    All its owned and operated hotels, with the exception of two operating as Managed Isolation facilities (the Grand Millennium and M Social in Auckland) have been closed since New Zealand went to alert Level 4 on August 17.
  75. ^ Preston, Nikki (17 November 2021). "Covid 19 Delta outbreak: Woman hounded over $4000 MIQ bill for non-existent stay". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 17 November 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  76. ^ Tod, Katie (22 June 2022). "Hotels earned $1.3m a month operating as MIQ facilities". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  77. ^ Todd, Katie (1 October 2021). "Covid-19: MIQ stints are taking a toll on returnees' mental health, say psychologists". Stuff. Archived from the original on 1 October 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2021. Psychologists say there's emerging evidence of long-term and in some cases 'severe' effects from time spent in MIQ, brought on by a lack of control, autonomy and social contact.
  78. ^ Orsman, Bernard (30 January 2022). "Auckland man watches his mother die in Ireland by video call after failing to get MIQ spot". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 30 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  79. ^ Wade, Amelia (17 February 2022). "The impact of MIQ: Survey finds nearly 80 pct experience anxiety, depression, panic attacks". Newshub. Archived from the original on 17 February 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  80. ^ Walters, Laura (9 April 2022). "Defence Force struggling with high attrition, low morale after MIQ duties". Stuff. Archived from the original on 9 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  81. ^ Hunt, Tom; Gates, Charlie (20 September 2021). "November and December MIQ spots gone in 67 minutes, thousands miss out". Stuff. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  82. ^ Kissun, Sudesh (5 October 2021). "Petition demands MIQ spaces". Rural News Group. Archived from the original on 4 October 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  83. ^ Narayan, Mrid (12 October 2021). "MIQ system is unfair and unkind to Kiwis stuck overseas". Stuff. Archived from the original on 15 October 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  84. ^ Steyl, Louisa (6 October 2021). "MIQ's 'bureaucratic madness' puts Southland mums at risk". Stuff. Archived from the original on 6 October 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  85. ^ MacDonald, Nikki (6 October 2021). "Pregnant Auckland woman lodges MIQ legal challenge to get stranded husband home". Stuff. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  86. ^ "Covid-19: Chief Ombudsman investigating MIQ booking system after hundreds of complaints". Radio New Zealand. 20 October 2021. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  87. ^ Lourens, Marine (20 October 2021). "Covid-19: Ombudsman investigating MIQ booking system after 'hundreds of complaints'". Stuff. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  88. ^ Daniels, Chelsea (22 June 2022). "Covid 19 Omicron: Inquiry into emergency MIQ allocations begins". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 22 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  89. ^ "MBIE acted 'unreasonably' over MIQ allocation – Chief Ombudsman". 1News. TVNZ. 12 December 2022. Archived from the original on 14 December 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  90. ^ a b Harris, Sophie (12 December 2022). "Ombudsman's criticism of MIQ virtual lobby 'doesn't go far enough'". Stuff. Archived from the original on 13 December 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  91. ^ Chief Ombudsman's opinion under the Ombudsmen Act
  92. ^ Bellis, Charlotte (29 January 2022). "Exclusive: Pregnant TV reporter Charlotte Bellis' full, open letter on MIQ – 'NZ said you're not welcome'". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 29 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  93. ^ Fallon, Virginia (29 January 2022). "Pregnant Kiwi journalist promised safety by Taliban after being declined emergency MIQ spot". Stuff. Archived from the original on 29 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  94. ^ a b c Howie, Cherie (29 January 2022). "Covid 19 coronavirus: Stranded pregnant journalist Charlotte Bellis' MIQ situation 'unsurprising' – MP". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 29 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  95. ^ a b "Pregnant New Zealand journalist stranded by quarantine rules says she turned to Taliban". The Guardian. Associated Press. 29 January 2022. Archived from the original on 29 January 2022.
  96. ^ Timsit, Annabelle (1 February 2022). "Pregnant journalist says she's returning to New Zealand after strict covid rules left her in Afghanistan". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 3 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  97. ^ "Pregnant NZ journalist Charlotte Bellis battling to return home as Afghan health system crumbles". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 31 January 2022. Archived from the original on 5 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  98. ^ Perry, Nick (1 February 2022). "Pregnant New Zealand journalist in Afghanistan can go home". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 1 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  99. ^ Palmer, Scott (29 January 2022). "Dan Wootton attacks Jacinda Ardern after pregnant journalist Charlotte Bellis denied reentry from Afghanistan". Newshub. Archived from the original on 29 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  100. ^ Neilson, Michael (1 February 2022). "Covid 19 Omicron: Pregnant Kiwi journalist Charlotte Bellis considering legal options after Chris Hipkins' alleged privacy breach". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 1 February 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  101. ^ O'Dwyer, Ellen (1 February 2022). "Charlotte Bellis 'so excited' to take up MIQ spot offered by the Government". Stuff. Archived from the original on 1 February 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  102. ^ Neilson, Michael; Weekes, John (1 February 2022). "Covid 19 Omicron outbreak: Charlotte Bellis returning to New Zealand in March to give birth to her baby girl". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 1 February 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  103. ^ Neilson, Michael (22 June 2022). "Covid 19 Omicron: Chris Hipkins formally apologises over Charlotte Bellis emergency MIQ saga". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 22 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  104. ^ Kapitan, Craig (3 September 2021). "Covid-19 coronavirus Delta outbreak: Family transferred after MIQ meltdown". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 2 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  105. ^ Andelane, Lana (3 September 2021). "COVID-19: Family transferred to new quarantine facility after mum's angry meltdown at MIQ staff". Newshub. Archived from the original on 5 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  106. ^ Burrows, Matt (4 September 2021). "COVID-19: Auckland MIQ facility apologises, moves woman to different room after bathroom hygiene complaint". Newshub. Archived from the original on 5 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  107. ^ "MIQ meals being flown frozen from Auckland 'not fit for human consumption'". Newstalk ZB. 7 October 2021. Archived from the original on 7 October 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  108. ^ Hutt, Kendall (5 July 2020). "Coronavirus: Woman who escaped managed isolation in Auckland charged for breach". Stuff. Archived from the original on 5 July 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  109. ^ Cheng, Derek (5 July 2020). "Woman scaled two fences to escape managed isolation; Govt says no failure of process". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 5 July 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  110. ^ Ward, Lynley (8 July 2020). "Covid 19 coronavirus: Retracing infected man's missing 70 minutes". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 8 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  111. ^ a b "Man arrested after cutting through fence to escape Hamilton isolation facility". Radio New Zealand. 10 July 2020. Archived from the original on 10 July 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  112. ^ "Man who allegedly escaped quarantine from Queenstown". Otago Daily Times. 10 July 2020. Archived from the original on 10 July 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  113. ^ "Covid 19 coronavirus: Hamilton isolation absconder admits alcohol run, sentenced to community work". The New Zealand Herald. 27 August 2020. Archived from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  114. ^ Molyneux, Vita (11 July 2020). "Person broke window, scaled fence in another escape from managed isolation". Newshub. Archived from the original on 11 July 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  115. ^ "Returnee 'in their late 60s' broke window, climbed fence to escape managed isolation – fourth to do so in a week". 1News. 11 July 2020. Archived from the original on 11 July 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  116. ^ "Megan Woods and Darryn Webb on Hamilton Covid isolation escapees". The New Zealand Herald. 25 July 2020. Archived from the original on 25 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  117. ^ Smith, Anneke (28 August 2020). "Covid 19 coronavirus: Woman given 14-day jail sentence for escaping isolation facility". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 2 September 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  118. ^ Dillane, Tom (29 August 2020). "Booze run vs father's funeral: questions of systemic racism over quarantine escapees' contrasting sentences". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 31 August 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  119. ^ "Advance Party and crowd rallies against Covid-19 restrictions and lockdowns". The New Zealand Herald. 12 September 2020. Archived from the original on 13 September 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  120. ^ "Covid-19 coronavirus: Brief escape from Auckland managed isolation hotel". The New Zealand Herald. 30 July 2020. Archived from the original on 30 July 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  121. ^ "Woman charged allegedly escaping from the Grand Millennium Hotel". The New Zealand Herald. 14 October 2020. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  122. ^ "Covid 19 coronavirus: West Indies cricket team flout quarantine rules; one new case". The New Zealand Herald. 11 November 2020. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  123. ^ Kilgallon, Steve (29 January 2021). "MIQ hotel staffer sacked after bedroom 'encounter' with quarantine returnee". Stuff. Archived from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  124. ^ "Returnee tests positive for Covid-19 after being transferred to hospital from MIQ with another issue". 1News. 7 February 2021. Archived from the original on 7 February 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  125. ^ MacManus, Joel; Hickman, Bill (23 February 2021). "Australian who refused Covid-19 test leaves managed isolation, flies to Auckland". Stuff. Archived from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  126. ^ Cheng, Derek (9 June 2021). "Covid 19 coronavirus: Vaccine rollout update, Melbourne mourners caught sneaking into New Zealand". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 18 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  127. ^ "Melbourne family caught breaching Australia-New Zealand travel bubble rules". ABC News. 9 June 2021. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  128. ^ "Covid-19: Children with symptoms among 12 to breach MIQ rules". Radio New Zealand. 17 June 2021. Archived from the original on 20 June 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  129. ^ Block, George; Owen, Catrin (2 September 2021). "Actions of Covid case who absconded from Auckland quarantine 'utterly unacceptable'". Stuff. Archived from the original on 2 September 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  130. ^ "Covid-positive Auckland man charged over MIQ escape". 1News. 2 September 2021. Archived from the original on 2 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  131. ^ "Mother of MIQ escapee, who called police on him, apologises to public". 1News. TVNZ. 3 September 2021. Archived from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  132. ^ Tan, Qiuyi (4 September 2021). "Covid 19 coronavirus Delta outbreak: Man tried to get into MIQ hotel Stamford Plaza twice". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 4 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  133. ^ Owen, Catrin (20 October 2021). "Covid-19: Alleged MIQ escapee still missing, another charged". Stuff. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  134. ^ "NZ woman given MIQ spot after launching legal action". Radio New Zealand. 9 September 2021. Archived from the original on 28 November 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  135. ^ "Grounded Kiwis files judicial review claim in High Court over MIQ". Stuff. 8 October 2021. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  136. ^ Hunt, Tom (10 October 2021). "$72,000 in 23 hours for legal challenge against MIQ". Stuff. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  137. ^ McKee, Jake (14 December 2021). "'Lottery of human misery': Grounded Kiwis deliver MIQ petition to Parliament". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  138. ^ "Grounded Kiwis win: MIQ was a 'lottery' when better options were available, judge decides". Stuff. 27 April 2022. Archived from the original on 27 April 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  139. ^ Osborne, Hazel (27 April 2022). "'Inevitable that the system would operate unjustly': Grounded Kiwis fight against MIQ ends in High Court win". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 28 April 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  140. ^ "Law expert explains Grounded Kiwis MIQ court case win". 1News. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
edit