Greens slam NZ transit visa rule
A new NZ transit visa requirement has been described by the Green Party as “bureaucracy gone mad”.
NZ Immigration Minister Clayton Cosgrove announced yesterday that from tomorrow transit visas will be needed for all travel via New Zealand except for people from countries which have visa-free agreements.
Transit visas are for people who will be in the country for less than 24 hours and will not leave the transit area of the airport.
Until now only people travelling to and from Pacific countries have had to hold transit visas.
Green MP Keith Locke said the new rule was not justified on security grounds.
“What is the worst they can do – vandalise a coffee machine?” he said.
“Tourists travelling via Auckland from southern Asia, China, Indonesia, Thailand and most African countries will now need an extra visa.
“They might not bother, and go via another route.”
Mr Cosgrove said the change reflected increased security requirements and changing travel patterns.
“The Government considered it prudent to introduce this new policy which will strengthen our risk management and future-proof our border control,” he said.
A Report by The Mole from NZPA
John Alwyn-Jones
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