Hi John,



I’ll try to keep this one short – it’s just a quick note to, once again, say thanks.



Just before midnight last night, the trans-Tasman bubble officially opened, and after what has felt like a very long year, family members and friends have again started arriving from across the ditch. I know there have already been some long overdue hugs at the airport, and there will be plenty to come over the next few days.



Safely opening up quarantine free travel between New Zealand and Australia has only been possible because of our massive team effort over the past year. It’s your hard work that has got us to this point, so from me (and on behalf of everyone looking forward to reuniting with a loved one in Australia!), thank you.



Opening the trans-Tasman bubble will not only bring families and friends together, it will also provide a welcome boost for our economy. Visitor numbers won’t immediately return to pre-COVID levels, but this initial wave of Australian visitors should make a big difference for our tourism and hospitality businesses, who have been doing it tough over the past year. Our Government is now looking at how we can safely open up further in the future, when it's safe to do so, to continue to drive a strong economic recovery. Today marks the beginning of the next chapter in this.



We’ll have more news to share about the next steps in our response and recovery soon. Until then, keep scanning in with the COVID Tracer app and keep up those important health measures, like staying home if you’re sick. And for those of you reconnecting with friends and family this week, I wish you a very happy reunion!



Thanks,

Jacinda Ardern



P.S. If you’re planning to travel across the ditch soon or you’re hosting friends from Australia, make sure you know what you need to do to keep safe and protect the team of five million. Read more about our travel processes and precautions here <[link removed]>.









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