News
Avatar movie crew among ‘couple of hundred’ foreigners let into New Zealand under coronavirus exemptions
by ABC.Net — May 27 2020
Key individuals behind the sequel to Hollywood blockbuster Avatar are among hundreds of foreigners being quietly let into New Zealand under little-known exemptions to its closed-border regime.
Key points:
- New Zealand has been admitting high-value foreigners into the country
- The Economic Development Minister says he has signed off on “a couple of hundred” arrivals
- Staff from the James Cameron-directed blockbuster will land in New Zealand this week
New Zealand closed its borders in March to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, allowing only Kiwis and returning residents to return.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s Government has since tweaked its regulations to allow humanitarian arrivals and essential workers in.
But on Tuesday, under questioning, was it revealed Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford had also been admitting high-value foreigners.
“I’ve signed off on a couple of hundred over the past month,” he said.
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