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Vanuatu: Tropical Cyclone Kevin

Tropical Cyclone Judy and Tropical Cyclone Kevin have now passed through Vanuatu, with damage to roads and infrastructure reported.
If you are in an area affected by the cyclone, you should follow the advice of the local authorities (including any evacuation orders). Please also ensure that you keep your family and friends in New Zealand informed of your safety and well-being.
New Zealanders currently travelling in Vanuatu should follow the guidance of accommodation management.
Domestic and in…Read More

Peru: Demonstrations

Protests and demonstrations have been taking place across Peru following the change of government on 7 December 2022, including in the tourist hubs of Cusco, Puno and Arequipa. Some demonstrations have turned violent, and clashes between protestors and security forces have resulted in casualties. These have the potential to continue and spread further. Protests can escalate quickly. 
A state of emergency is in place in parts of Peru due to ongoing civil unrest, including in the departments of A…Read More

Türkiye: 7.8 and 7.7 Earthquakes

On 6 February 2023, a 7.8 and 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck in central and south-eastern Türkiye. There have been several strong after-shocks.
The Turkish government has announced a national state of emergency in the 10 provinces affected by the earthquakes: Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep, Malatya, Diyarbakır, Kilis, Şanlıurfa, Adıyaman, Hatay, Osmaniye, Adana. Travel within these provinces is limited to aid teams assisting with the recovery response.
There’s extensive damage to infrastructu…Read More

Pacific Cyclone Season: 1 November to 30 April

The Pacific cyclone season runs from 1 November until 30 April.
New Zealanders travelling to the Pacific are encouraged to register their details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Travellers who register can be warned if a major cyclone approaches and given advice on precautions to take.
If you are in an area affected by a cyclone, you should follow the advice of the local authorities at all times (including any evacuation orders) and seek suitable shelter. New Zealanders shou…Read More

Outbreaks of Polio

Polio is an infectious disease caused by a virus that can spread from person to person or through contaminated water or food. Many people who are infected don’t have symptoms, but a small proportion of those with symptoms develop paralysis. There is no cure, but it can be prevented through vaccination.
The World Health Organization has advised of an increase in polio activity in areas which have previously seen eradication.  This includes New York (widespread wastewater detection as well as a…Read More

Measles

The Ministry of Health is advising people travelling overseas to make sure they are fully immunised against measles before they go. If there is not enough time before you travel to complete the recommended two doses, having even one MMR vaccination before you leave New Zealand will substantially reduce your (or your child’s) risk of getting infected.While cases in New Zealand are rare because endemic measles has been eliminated here, the disease is regularly brought into the country through in…Read More

Ukraine: Security Situation

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is ongoing, with attacks and heavy fighting occurring in several areas of Ukraine, including in and around Kyiv and other major cities. There are ongoing reports of gunfire, artillery bombardments, explosions and missile strikes. Civilians are being impacted. There is a real risk to life. There is also concern about military activity and shelling around Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, particularly the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. We advise New Zealanders in…Read More

Monkeypox outbreak

About Monkeypox Monkeypox (MPX) is a viral infection that is mainly spread through skin-to-skin contact with someone who has MPX. While it is not very contagious, there has recently been an increase in cases globally. MPX is zoonotic, which means it can pass between animals and humans. 
Current situation MPX is endemic in parts of Central and West Africa. In May 2022 a global outbreak was confirmed and cases have since been reported in more than 80 countries.
While anyone can get MPX, the curre…Read More

Top travel tips as Kiwis reconnect with the world

Kiwis will be excited to be able to travel again after the New Zealand Government announced the next steps to reconnect New Zealanders to the world. This includes removal of the need for vaccinated New Zealanders to self-isolate on return from any country, and dropping the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s global “do not travel” advisory which has been in place since March 2020. But before they go, travellers will need to make sure they have thought through the complexity of the n…Read More

Pacific Typhoon and Atlantic Hurricane Season

Typhoons and hurricanes are currently affecting areas of Asia and the Americas.
New Zealanders travelling to Asia and the Americas are encouraged to register their details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Travellers who register can be warned if a major storm approaches and given advice on precautions to take.
If you are in an area affected by a typhoon or hurricane, you should follow the advice of the local authorities at all times (including any evacuation orders) and seek s…Read More

Brexit: New Zealanders in the United Kingdom

New Zealand citizens who continue to live in the UK now that it has left the EU can:

use the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website tool to seek guidance on visa status and rights to stay. 
find more information in the UK’s Department for Exiting the European Union: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-exiting-the-european-union.

If you are a New Zealander who holds a European passport, or who has a European spouse you should refer to guidance from the UK Governm…Read More

Travelling as a Dual Citizen

What is dual citizenship or dual nationality?If you are a citizen of more than one country you are a dual citizen or dual national. This means you are a citizen of both New Zealand and another country at the same time. New Zealand allows dual citizenship and multiple citizenship but some other countries do not.
A country could still consider you to be one of their citizens even if you don’t accept that nationality if you:

have a parent, or in some cases a grandparent, who is a citizen of that …Read More

India: Severe Air Pollution

Major cities in India have recently been experiencing severe levels of air pollution. Some of the most common health effects of air pollution include irritation of eyes, throat and lungs. For people with existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or bronchitis, breathing in air pollution can make these conditions worse. 
New Zealanders in areas affected by the air pollution are advised to monitor pollution readings, such as those provided by the Air Quality Index website. If you have conc…Read More

Drug Crime Overseas: Don’t Risk It

Every year New Zealanders put themselves at risk of arrest or detention for drug-related offences overseas. Remember that when you are overseas you are subject to that country’s laws and penalties – no matter how harsh they may appear by New Zealand standards.
In many countries, penalties for drug-related offences are severe. Possession, use or trafficking of even very small quantities of drugs can lead to lengthy imprisonment thousands of miles away from family and friends. New Zealand does not…Read More

Mosquito-borne Illnesses

Outbreaks of mosquito-borne illnesses are common in the tropical and sub-tropical climates in many Pacific Islands, in North Queensland (Australia), Asia (including India), tropical Africa and Latin/South America. West Nile virus is commonly found in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America and West Asia.
Dengue fever, chikungunya virus and Zika virus are spread by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito and cannot be spread directly from person to person. Malaria is caused by a parasite s…Read More

Fiji: Meningococcal Outbreak

The Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services has issued a public notice advising of an outbreak of meningococcal disease in Fiji. Though the risk for travellers to Fiji is low, people staying in local communities or for longer periods of time should be vigilant and aware of the symptoms of meningitis following an outbreak of meningococcal disease.Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that causes two very serious illnesses: meningitis (an infection of the membranes that cover the b…Read More