New Zealand's COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has announced a pause on the trans-Tasman travel bubble, as coronavirus cases rise in multiple states.
As of 10.30pm NZST (8.30pm AEST) Australians will no longer be able to take advantage of quarantine free travel regardless of which state or territory they're living in.
"There are now multiple cases and outbreaks in Australia in differing stages of containment and the health risk for New Zealand in response to these cases is increasing," a statement said.
"As a result the Government has taken the precautionary step of temporarily widening the current pause with New South Wales to include all of Australia.
"This short pause will give us time to get a better understanding of the developing situation and to consider the potential implementation of a range of measures to make the bubble safer, such as the introduction of pre-departure testing for all flights from Australia to New Zealand."
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The new restrictions will be in place for three days, until 11.59pm NZST (9.59pm AEST) on Tuesday, June 29.
The NZ government plans to re-asses the situation on Monday and will advise if the pause will be extended but maintain they "remain committed to Quarantine Free Travel with Australia".
"I acknowledge the frustration and inconvenience that comes with this pause, but given the high level of transmissibility of what appears to be the Delta variant, and the fact that there are now multiple community clusters, it is the right thing to do to keep COVID-19 out of New Zealand," Mr Hipkins said in a statement.
The NZ government has asked anyone who was in Australia from June 21 onwards to monitor their health but will not be required to isolate.
