New Zealand is set to open its doors to vaccinated international visitors and tourists from Australia from 11.59pm April 12, and from 11.59pm May 1 from visa waiver countries and people with valid visitor visas.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made the announcement today.

"Our border has already opened to New Zealanders around the world and on Monday critical and skilled workers also became eligible to enter without isolation.

"We have now received guidance it is now safe to significantly bring forward the next stage of border reopening work - to bring back our tourists," she said.

"We are ready to welcome the world back."

Visa waiver countries include the likes of the UK, US, Japan, Mexico and Singapore.

Returning vaccinated Kiwis living in Australia and around the world are already able to enter New Zealand.

The gates have been shut to overseas tourists since 2020.

The last estimated date from the Government for vaccinated travellers from Australia and visa-waiver countries was July 2022, with October 2022 for the rest of the world.

Top Image: International arrivals gate (Source: istock.com)

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