Meanwhile mass flight cancellations and border closures in crucial transit countries are wreaking havoc on New Zealanders' travel plans trying to come home, as well as those going the other way.
One woman trying to get out of London says she has spent $10 thousand on flights, but is yet to step foot onto a plane.
The government encouraged New Zealanders overseas to "shelter in place", and said there were no guarantees government-assisted flights would be possible.
Harry Lock has this report.
