Travellers from most of the Pacific Island nations will soon be able to transit through New Zealand to other countries without needing a Transit Visa, says the Department of Labour, Service International Group Manager, Tofilau Kerupi Tavita.
Mr Tavita said the exemption is particularly good news for Pacific citizens.
“Many of our Pacific neighbours transit frequently through New Zealand in order to visit most international locations. Removing the barriers to international travel is one way New Zealand expresses their commitment to the region,” he explains.
The changes, which take effect from 28 March 2008, mean that the following Pacific countries are exempt from Transit Visas: Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
Mr Tavita said people from these countries will no longer have to organise transit visas in order to pass through New Zealand. The move follows the government’s decision six months ago to waive the $120 fee for transit visas for Pacific nationals.
