The New Zealand Government has announced key changes to New Zealand’s border restrictions that includes a new maritime exception for vessels with a compelling need to travel to New Zealand such as yachts and superyachts.

Activities including the delivery of a vessel to a business, refit and repair, crew handover, response to an emergency or humanitarian situation, supply or support of ongoing operations, or discharge of catch will all fall under this umbrella.

The exemption does not apply to cruise ships, which remain prohibited from entering New Zealand’s waters, and it does not allow people travelling for leisure to enter the country.

“The refit and servicing of vessels contributes 25 percent to the $2 billion New Zealand marine industry. We look forward to seeing many of our companies regaining some of the lost business from the past four months,” says NZ Marine’s executive director Peter Busfield.