Stranded New Zealanders who are fully vaccinated will be able to return home without staying in managed isolation hotels in the new year, instead isolating at home for seven days.
The country will begin to reopen its borders in three steps, starting with New Zealanders in Australia from the 17 January.
Those coming home from the rest of the world can do so in February.
The last step will be opening the border to fully vaccinated foreign travellers in April.
Amy Williams reports.
