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Old 03-08-2020, 17:40   #1
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Yachties Stuck In New Zealand - Facing Expulsion

As many of you will know, New Zealand attracts hundreds of cruisers each year during the Southern Hemisphere Hurricane Season. So hundreds that arrived last Nov/Dec didn't leave again in May/June as would be expected given that virtually every Island nation had closed borders.

And with the next Hurricane Season approaching many are reluctant to leave. Yet their visitor visas for NZ are running out. The NZ Govt has so far resisted the pleas to extend visas and make a special case for cruising yachts.

There's also the problem of the many hundreds of cruisers that have been stuck all over the South Pacific and want to find safe haven in NZ before the next Hurricane Season starts in December, but New Zealand's borders are firmly shut to non NZ citizens and residents.

Here's a recent article that discusses the issue many of you will find interesting.

In my own view it's very unlikely NZ will open the border to cruisers. Two problems.

1. The vast majority of the population are terrified of Covid and any suggestion here in NZ of opening the borders brings a tirade of abuse. 'Team NZ' gave up much (and continues to do so) to keep the disease out.

2. NZ is about to hold a general election. Neither of the two main parties will be campaigning to 'open' the border even a crack. It would be election suicide.

I think thought that the NZ Govt will extend visas for those already in the country on humanitarian grounds. As well as sailors, there are thousands of back packers, ordinary travelers and seasonal workers stuck here, in the same boat as it were.
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Old 03-08-2020, 17:46   #2
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Re: Yachties Stuck In New Zealand - Facing Expulsion

But I heard cruisers say it's too cold there, it's boring because there is nothing to do and they just need to get out of there. /s
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Old 03-08-2020, 18:07   #3
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Re: Yachties Stuck In New Zealand - Facing Expulsion

“Yachties”
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Old 03-08-2020, 20:29   #4
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Re: Yachties Stuck In New Zealand - Facing Expulsion

Thanks for the article, grantmc.

It is persuasively written, and I'd think the yachties are probably Covid-19 free, this time.

NZ does have the "extremely welcoming" reputation, too. It will be interesting to watch and see if their government sustains the public health perspective, given the tendency for cruisers to march to the beat of their own drums, and that their ideas of ethical behavior vary so much.

It is really taking a lot on faith to say you can guarantee they'll self quarantine safely in Opua, a land of beautiful sailing/cruising, and adequate provisioning.



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Old 03-08-2020, 21:02   #5
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Re: Yachties Stuck In New Zealand - Facing Expulsion

Quote:
Originally Posted by IslandInfedel View Post
“Yachties”
II, what is the point that you are trying to make here?

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Old 03-08-2020, 21:06   #6
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Re: Yachties Stuck In New Zealand - Facing Expulsion

Everyone had their visas extended automatically to the middle of September. But there are repatriation flights going on all the time and normal international flights too. Everyone has had plenty of time to organise their boats and flights home before visas expire.

Or is it being suggested that the whole idea of having a short term visa for a specific country is no longer valid? Many sailors have gone to great lengths to secure their boats and return to Europe from the Caribbean, or even sailed there directly. What makes the sailors in new Zealand a special case?
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Old 04-08-2020, 00:07   #7
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Re: Yachties Stuck In New Zealand - Facing Expulsion

Yep, happy to have you and your dollars every cyclone (hurricane) season whilst the good times roll, one little monster under the bed and it's bugger off mate.

If little Fiji can figure out how to handle the peripatetic yachty population surely NZ can manage it.
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Old 04-08-2020, 01:33   #8
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Re: Yachties Stuck In New Zealand - Facing Expulsion

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tillsbury View Post
Everyone had their visas extended automatically to the middle of September. But there are repatriation flights going on all the time and normal international flights too. Everyone has had plenty of time to organise their boats and flights home before visas expire.

Or is it being suggested that the whole idea of having a short term visa for a specific country is no longer valid? Many sailors have gone to great lengths to secure their boats and return to Europe from the Caribbean, or even sailed there directly. What makes the sailors in new Zealand a special case?
For many of us here in NZ, our boat is our only home.
No other home to go to.
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Old 04-08-2020, 01:59   #9
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Re: Yachties Stuck In New Zealand - Facing Expulsion

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For many of us here in NZ, our boat is our only home.
No other home to go to.
And then there is the issue that if you leave, when, if ever, will you be allowed to return to your boat/home/major asset?

I'm not so sure that "repatriation" is such a good deal for a long term cruiser,not at all!

Jim
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Old 04-08-2020, 02:54   #10
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Re: Yachties Stuck In New Zealand - Facing Expulsion

Most countries have strict limits on visitor’s visas, just like NZ. Extensions have already been offered to trapped visitors, with the expectation that they will leave NZ for their home countries as soon as flights are available. Which they now are for most of the world.

Further extending the visitor visas of cruisers, backpackers, and other visitors to NZ is not politically palatable right now for a public that is getting weary of the vast sums being spent for the quarantine costs of returning citizens and residents and worried about paying benefits to indigent, long-staying visitors.

Governments, and the public, are not very good at distinguishing between different types of visitors and understanding that most cruisers are financially self sufficient. And that many cruisers have no home country to go back to. Cruisers are seen as privileged (rightly so really, but why hold it against them?).

Also, there’s an election coming soon, and the incumbent government has done a great job scaring the bejeesus out of many people. There’s no political appetite for opening the border regardless of the real risk level for infection from cruisers.

Sadly, nothing will likely change prior to the election. Cruisers stuck in NZ with their boats, stuck in another country away from their boats, and out in the South Pacific on their boats all have my deepest sympathies and I truly hope a reasonable solution will be put in place before cyclone season.
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Old 04-08-2020, 03:59   #11
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Re: Yachties Stuck In New Zealand - Facing Expulsion

Meanwhile... back in 'straya NSW farmers are crying out for seasonal fruit pickers to come up from Vic to pick citrus..
'Strayan graziers need kiwi shearers to shear their sheep.. and bugger the broad combs https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-count...ectid=12268274
And NZ needs seasonal workers as well....for whatever it is they pick there..

Meanwhile the marine industries in Auckland and north? Their pips will be squeaking if the boats don't come down from the islands this year....

***Indiginent**** sailors and seasonal workers? Oh please save me from such non sense
Unzud needs them....
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Old 04-08-2020, 04:45   #12
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Re: Yachties Stuck In New Zealand - Facing Expulsion

Similar issues in Carib but a wider variety of answers.

Makes cruising damn hard when you can’t count on a open port.
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Old 04-08-2020, 04:53   #13
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Re: Yachties Stuck In New Zealand - Facing Expulsion

zatara guys forward looking

Fiji seem to have enough bays to hide. With weather forecast that good cyclone or 2 should not be such an issue...

Alternative, move north of 5 parallel. Sure there must be something open.
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Old 04-08-2020, 09:55   #14
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Re: Yachties Stuck In New Zealand - Facing Expulsion

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Cate View Post
And then there is the issue that if you leave, when, if ever, will you be allowed to return to your boat/home/major asset?

I'm not so sure that "repatriation" is such a good deal for a long term cruiser,not at all!

Jim
I agree; I left my boat in Elizabeth Harbor, Exuma in February for family matters, and have not been able to return. Every time I think that I have the stars aligned, something prevents me from entering.
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Old 04-08-2020, 10:16   #15
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Re: Yachties Stuck In New Zealand - Facing Expulsion

Quote:
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II, what is the point that you are trying to make here?

Jim
Exactly. Thanks Jim
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