MFAT updates US travel advice for New Zealanders
The Foreign Affairs Ministry has updated its travel advice for New Zealanders travelling to the United States for the first time since Donald Trump became president, saying they could be detained, deported or banned from re-entering the country if they don't meet strict requirements.
In a statement released to Nine to Noon, MFAT says 17 New Zealand passport holders have sought assistance in the three months since November 2024 because they have experienced immigration difficulties in the US. MFAT says it was a routine review of the US travel advisory which was last fully reviewed in 2023.
While the travel advice level for kiwis travelling to the US remains at Level 2, 'Exercise increased caution' - the advisory now includes more cautionary wording about the potential for detention at the border. It also cautions travellers about laptops, mobile phones and other electronic devices potentially being subject to border security inspection. Otago and Auckland Universities have already alerted academic staff to the issues they may face if travelling to the US.
Otago University Professor of international relations Robert Patman says he would not travel to the US at present, and he thinks the MFAT travel advice is cautionary for anyone who may have criticised the Trump administration in any way.
A United Airlines plane takes off as another taxis at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) following the Thanksgiving holiday on 2 December, 2024.
Photo:
AFP/ Getty - Mario Tama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
12 hours ago
- RNZ News
Major Cardrona expansion almost ready to open
It has been 10 years and tens of millions of dollars in the making, now Cardrona Alpine Resort is set to show off a whole new side of the mountain. Skiers, snowboarders and the resort's staff are rejoicing as the major expansion into Soho Basin is almost ready to ride. Otago Southland Reporter Katie Todd went up for a look. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
1News
20 hours ago
- 1News
Luxon's trade delegation lands in China amid world unrest
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has touched down in Shanghai as global uncertainty remains amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel. Beijing overnight pulled its embassy staff out of Tehran, the capital city of Iran, as China President Xi Jinping called for de-escalation in the Middle East. Gui Jiakun, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, said: 'China calls on all parties concerned, especially those with special influence over Israel, to shoulder their due responsibilities, take immediate action to help cool down the situation, and prevent the conflict from further escalating and spreading." It was a call echoed by Luxon. "We don't want to see a nuclear-armed Iran, we don't want to see Israel occupying Gaza, we don't want to see Hamas holding on to hostages. We want to see negotiation diplomacy," Luxon said. ADVERTISEMENT New Zealand currently has an embassy in Tehran with a small number of staff. Asked if it was time for New Zealand to pull its staff out of Tehran, the Prime Minister said not at this stage. "Those are decisions that MFAT will ultimately make and I'd just say to you I've been so impressed because that's been a conversation right from the very beginning of this conflict." He added there was no concern for staff safety at this time. "MFAT are making sure they're not at risk," Luxon said. The focus for the New Zealand delegation to China is to build on what it called a critical relationship. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon waves as he disembarks the RNZAF Boeing 757 in Shanghai. (Source: Prime Minister's Office) ADVERTISEMENT New Zealand was the first developed country to sign a free trade deal with China back in 2008. The opportunities between the two countries remain clear. "Our biggest challenge is actually getting share of mind and actually raising the profile of New Zealand within China," Luxon said. For the tourism sector in New Zealand the pandemic hangover remained. Innovative technology was on display at a sector event by Group in Shanghai. The company had the means to track up-to-date information about Chinese tourist numbers to New Zealand. Compared to pre-Covid levels, Chinese visitors to New Zealand were sitting at around 61%. ADVERTISEMENT Carrie Hurihanganui, chief executive of Auckland Airport, said it was not a unique situation to New Zealand as Australia too registered similar results. "When you look at things like the savings right here in China, you just have that 500 million or so middle class growing that is just watching," she said. "They're a bit cautious when it goes to a discretionary spend, but as I said, we are seeing green shoots, the numbers are picking up, just not quite as quickly as we'd like it to," Hurihanganui said. Chief executive of New Zealand Māori Toursim Dame Pania Tyson-Nathan said there were plenty of correlations between the two countries which helped attract Chinese tourists. "From a Māori perspective, they're intergenerational in everything they do, in the way they live, the way they think," she said. "That's critically important and I think it's something that the rest of New Zealand has been able to leverage as well." Trade delegation with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Shanghai. (Source: Prime Minister's Office) Last year during Premier Li's visit to Wellington, he declared 30-day visa-free entry into China for New Zealanders. ADVERTISEMENT From November, our Government would trial three-month visa waivers for Chinese visitors, but only if they had an Australian visa first. It was an issue raised directly with Luxon during today's tourism event. A staff member from Group cheekily took the chance to make the point to the Prime Minister. "Of course, if Prime Minister allow totally visa-free for Chinese tourists, that would be beautiful, that'd be fantastic," he said. "I appreciate the pitch," the Prime Minister laughed. Asked why New Zealand refused to ease restrictions further Christopher Luxon said it had been carefully considered. "Immigration in New Zealand deals with immigration settings for 195 countries. What we've asked them to do since the beginning of the year as we go for growth is to continue to look at our settings with respect to China," he said. ADVERTISEMENT Asked if they were appropriate and Luxon said he believed they were. Luxon denied it indicated New Zealand didn't trust China. "No, not at all. It's just immigration New Zealand has a decision and responsibility to look at the visa settings for 195 countries," he said. The tourism sector, it seemed, was keen to see entry pathways eased further. "There is a live discussion on the table at the moment and of course we will monitor," Dame Pania Tyson-Nathan said. "The Minister is listening to tourism and I think this space."
RNZ News
21 hours ago
- RNZ News
Great ride Te Hangāruru opens: ‘A gift to the community for Matariki'
The 9km southern section of Te Hangāruru, from Horopito to Pōkākā Road, features two new suspension bridges. Photo: Supplied The opening of a long-awaited cycle and walking trail connecting Horopito to Waimarino (National Park village) has been heralded as a major milestone for the Mountains to Sea - Ngā Ara Tūhono Great Ride. "This is our gift to the community for Matariki," trail champion Lynley Twyman said at the Horopito trail head in the central North Island. Twyman said Te Hangāruru, the new section of the Great Ride, was a vital piece of the vision to complete a 320km journey from Ruapehu maunga to the Tasman Sea. "The trail honours the stories and abundance of this land, and builds a legacy for future generations." The rising of the nine stars of Matariki (Pleiades) marks the beginning of the Māori new year. This year's national observance day ceremony, being broadcast from the foot of Ruapehu maunga at dawn on Friday, recognises both Matariki and Puanga (Rigel), one of the most important stars for Māori in the Ruapehu and Whanganui regions. Twyman said the region had come through a difficult period, including ski industry troubles and the closure of major employers like the Chateau Tongariro and WPI Mills . The trail would help build regional resilience and act as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth and community wellbeing. Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton said Te Hangāruru had been delivered despite enormous challenges, including funding hurdles and environmental consents. "This trail is the product of sheer determination, long-term vision and real community mahi," Kirton said. "Te Hangāruru represents not just connection on a map, but a pathway for locals and visitors to explore, reflect and rediscover the beauty of this place." The newest section of the Mountains to Sea - Ngā Ara Tūhono Great Ride was opened on Thursday morning in the central North Island. Photo: Supplied Twyman said the Mountains to Sea - Ngā Ara Tūhono trail was one of New Zealand's most diverse cycle trails, traversing dual World Heritage landscapes, native bush, alpine streams, the volcanic plateau, historic viaducts and the Whanganui River. The 9km southern section of Te Hangāruru, from Horopito to Pōkākā Road, features two new suspension bridges, including a 30 metre bridge over the Mangaturuturu River, a dramatic waterfall and a heritage tramway. The 9km northern section follows part of the restored Marton Sash & Door tramway. The final section of the trail - awaiting funding for construction - includes a 225m suspension bridge over the Makatote River . Te Hangāruru was due to open at Horopito on Thursday morning with a community celebration bringing together iwi, council representatives and the wider community, including students from National Park School and Raetihi Primary. The Mountains to Sea initiative is a collaboration between iwi, local government and the community. A charitable trust that leads and supports work on the trail includes representatives from Ngāti Rangi, iwi collective Te Korowai o Wainuiārua, Ruapehu and Whanganui district councils, the Whanganui Māori regional tourism organisation, trail users and community leaders. "Te Hangāruru is a tangible expression of partnership," Te Korowai o Wainuiārua chair Aiden Gilbert said. The name Te Hangāruru was gifted to the trail by Uenuku, one of three iwi represented by Te Korowai o Wainuiārua. It refers to the native forest - traditionally a place of abundance for local Māori. "The name Te Hangāruru recalls a time when the skies of the Waimarino forest were dark with birds such as kākā," Gilbert said. "It was a place where tangata whenua gathered kai and lived in harmony with the taiao (earth)." Gilbert said the trail winds through regenerating ngahere, past waterfalls and toward the proposed iwi-led Pōkākā alpine ecosanctuary. "Through this trail, our people have opportunities to care for the land and to welcome visitors through manaakitanga. It's part of a bigger journey, one where we walk together." Whanganui mayor Andrew Tripe, who chairs Ngā Ara Tūhono Charitable Trust, described the Great Ride as "a true regional treasure". He said the Mountains to Sea ride literally connects the Ruapehu and Whanganui districts and strengthens their shared future. "This project brings economic opportunity, supports healthy communities and invites manuhiri from all over to experience something unique to Aotearoa." LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
