Pacific Travel, as at 4 April 2020
The last two years have been incredibly difficult for travel and tourism in the Pacific Region. While health impacts of COVID-19 are still being felt, some islands have started to open to tourism having completed their vaccination programs. This of course varies depending on health status as we know some countries are experiencing active cases, lockdowns, curfews and travel restrictions. Information is subject to change so it’s important to check for latest information.
For Pacific peoples opening borders means that many can travel back to the islands to see family and friends after such a long time away. Make sure to find as much information as you can regarding COVID-19 requirements, whether you need to have a return ticket, whether the airport your travelling to is closed to family picking you up, and more.
Below is some information on travelling to and from the Pacific Islands, from New Zealand. Please note, information on some islands was not readily available. If you’re looking to travel to an island not listed below, please click here for more information.
Samoa
Samoa is under a State of Emergency. International travel borders are closed to incoming and outgoing passengers. Please keep checking for details or click here for more.
American Samoa
American Samoa has restricted entry and you need to have a valid Talofa Pass to enter. A Talofa Pass has requirements that include vaccination and COVID Tests. Please click here for more information.
Tonga
The Kingdom of Tonga is under a State of Emergency, being reviewed on 11 April, 2022 due to COVID-19 and the recent volcanic eruption. The Tongan Government have restricted travel. While travellers from Tonga to New Zealand is quarantine free, travel to Tonga required quarantine. Travellers require approval from the Tongan Ministry of Health pre-entry. To register for approval click here. For more information click here to view the official Government of Tonga website.
Cook Islands
The Cook Islands is open with quarantine free travel to and from New Zealand. There are entry requirements based on whether you are a tourist, an immigration permit holder or a Cook Islander/permanent resident. For more information and a handy checklist click here.
Nauru
While borders are open, quarantine of a mandatory five days is required when travelling to Nauru. Arriving passengers will need to complete a health declaration form prior to entry. The form can be found here. Nauru Airlines features comprehensive information on travelling to Nauru, here.
Niue
As of 2 April, flights to Niue have been scaled back to one flight per week with Air New Zealand. This flight is for essential workers and for the repatriation of Niuean residents. Each flight will hold up to 30 passengers only. Entry requires an approval letter from the government of Niue. Travellers will be required to quarantine for 14 days. For more information, please click here or email Niue.SecGov@mail.gov.nu.
Papua New Guinea
Borders are open with COVID-19 restrictions in place, including a 14 day quarantine. Curfews are in place. Please click here for more information.
Kiribati
Kiribati is at Alert Level 3 due to COVID-19. Travel is restricted, curfews are in place, and the government is managing the process of repatriating citizens. More information can be found here on the Kiribati Government website.
Fiji
Fiji is fully open accepting travellers who are fully vaccinated to enter its borders. There will be COVID-19 protocols to follow. Quarantine is not required if you are from one of Fiji’s partner countries listed below:
American Samoa, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, People’s Republic of China, Cook Islands, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Greece, Guam, Hong Kong SAR, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Macao SAR, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mongolia, Morocco, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norfolk Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, Turkey, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, U.S. Virgin Islands, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna.
For more information please click here to view an extensive information page on the Fiji Travel website.
Solomon Islands
Travel is restricted to the Solomon Islands. COVID-19 protocols, including curfews are in place. For more information please contact your local Solomon Islands High Commission click here to view advice from Solomon Airlines.
Vanuatu
While Vanuatu is open travel is restricted and mandatory quarantines are in place, including those that are fully vaccinated. They are currently at Alert Level 3. You can find more information here on the Vanuatu Ministry of Health website. All inbound travellers have to register for entry into Vanuatu through their High Commissions or Consulates. More information on how to do this can be found here, on the Department of Vanuatu Immigration and Passport Services Website.
New Caledonia
New Caledonia borders are open to countries with similar vaccination policies. You can find information here on the New Caledonia Tourism website or here on the New Caledonia government website.
French Polynesia
French Polynesia has open borders and is welcoming travellers with COVID-19 protocols in place. For more information about entry conditions please click here to view the Air Tahiti website.
Travelling from the Pacific to New Zealand
New Zealand also welcomes travellers from the Pacific region back to New Zealand. Those that are vaccinated can currently travel quarantine free to New Zealand from:
American Samoa
Cook Islands
Nauru
Niue
Samoa
Tokelau
Tuvalu
Vanuatu.
There are some additional requirements for those travelling to New Zealand from Vanuatu and Samoa. Please click here for more information.