Petition request

That the House of Representatives urge the Government to consider allowing temporary visa holders, who held a valid visa on or before 19 March 2020, to enter New Zealand during the border closure as an exception.

Petition reason

The reason for this petition is to draw attention to the situation of offshore migrants who were living in New Zealand from several years, as well as offshore partners who were issued a visa to join their partner in New Zealand. Currently the border is closed to almost everyone who is not a New Zealand citizen or resident. I think existing work/student visa holders and offshore partnership-based visitor/work visa holders are being disadvantaged due to border restrictions.

Petition progress

  • Open for signatures
  • Closed for signatures
  • Select Committee
  • Reported
  • Referred to Minister
Number of signatures: 2376
Date presented: 22 May 2020
Considered by: Petitions
SC Report(s): 07 May 2021 (Interim)
09 Aug 2021 (Final)
Presenting member: Jami-Lee Ross
Closing date: 20 May 2020