| Nash defers to immigration

NEW Zealand Minister of Tourism Stuart Nash (pictured) has declined to formally comment on the shock New Zealand Government decision to deny entry to Ponant’s Le Laperouse to Kiwi waters (CW yesterday), with a response from his office simply noting that “the Government spokesperson on this is the Minister of Immigration”.

The 11th-hour move has put in jeopardy the upcoming season of domestic voyages which are understood to be fully sold out, just a week before the first cruise is set to depart.

Frantic efforts have been made to resolve the issues, which centre around the last-minute denial of visas to 61 of the 90 crew members on board, apparently on the basis they are non-essential workers such as hairdressers, bartenders and masseuses, whose onboard jobs could be done by New Zealanders.

As well as highlighting the fact the crew members are multi-skilled and also trained in ship safety procedures, Ponant is believed to have attempted to recruit alternative staff from New Zealand, in addition to the 16 Kiwis who had already been contracted for the season.

Despite New Zealand’s heavy focus on pivoting its tourism sector to domestic, Nash is not adding any additional commentary about the latest slap in the face to the industry.

“The Minister echoes the comments of the Minister of Immigration…we have a very strict set of rules around the border which have served us well and kept us safe from the pandemic,” a spokesperson for Nash’s office told Cruise Weekly.

“They have protected our health and our economy,” the spokesperson added.

It’s believed a final decision will be made today, with the ship currently in New Caledonia after having cruised almost 4,000 nautical miles since approval for the New Zealand season was granted in mid-Dec by the Ministry of Health after detailed submissions including the numbers and nationality makeup of the crew.

New Zealand Cruise Association Chief Exec Kevin O’Sullivan said the organisation was “shocked and bewildered” by the decision, which will have significant impacts on the industry.

Ponant says as well as hitting New Zealand businesses in the cruise supply chain, more than $1 million in commission will be lost to the trade if the season is canx.

Tourism operators eager to welcome visitors at ports around the country will also miss out.