1 Oct 2020

Lawyer says legal argument for allowing yachties into NZ could be possible with tracking tech

From Morning Report, 6:52 am on 1 October 2020

A maritime lawyer says a legal argument for allowing foreign yachts into New Zealand might be possible through electronic tracking.

Hundreds denied entry because of the border closure have tried convincing authorities they pose no threat, because of the time it takes to sail here.

Peter Dawson told our reporter Tracy Neal that a simple ship tracking device would show authorities that yachts alone at sea for days present no risk of bringing Covid-19 into New Zealand.

The Ministry of Health says the primary pre-requisite for yachts coming into New Zealand is not about the quarantine period, or whether it can track them via AIS - which it's unable to do anyway.

It's whether they are allowed entry into New Zealand or not.