The Government has shut the transtasman travel bubble for at least the next eight weeks.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern acknowledged the 'devastating' impact the Australian Covid outbreak was having on people's lives. She willed the country a speedy recovery, but warned the movement of people could complicate the recovery, she said.
Ardern she would not risk the hard work put in by the team of 5 million by keeping the bubble open when the risk was high from the Delta variant.
The Delta variant had materially changes the risk profile for the transtasman bubble, she said.
In the view of our health officials there is greater risk now than when they opened the travel bubble with Australia.
"Covid has changed, so we must," Ardern said.
Quarantine-free travel has been suspeneded from 11.59pm tonight and the bubble will be closed for at least the next eight weeks.
There will be flights home from all Australian territories for the next 7 days.
