Ya what??
Did you reply to the wrong post?
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Blue Skies,
Sadly and with the greatest of respect, I think you very much simplify how this system works. The whole MIQ process, whether the lottery or emergency applications is a complete and utter farce. On the Grounded Kiwis group webpage, there are hundreds of stories of receiving exactly the same response as Bellis´received. She only got noticed after a MP got involved and the Government got worried about the publicity. There are common complaints about the detailed paperwork required of people and the endless requests for more information, which are in many cases beyond what an average person can understand and fill in. Most of the cases that have been accepted have received the help of a lawyer or a MP, to have a chance.
People are in all sorts of different situations (often desperate and highly stressed) waiting, often for weeks, for a response. Then in the very few cases that applications have been accepted, to then expect people to be ready to leave within 2 weeks (often much less) is ridiculous.
Remember that you have to give the date and flight number on your application, otherwise it will not be processed. The application will take a few days to process, so often people that receive the ¨go ahead¨, have to pack up and leave within 2-3 days. The 2 weeks you refer to is a fixed date from the day you lodge your application. In Bellis´case, she pointed out that there isn´t exactly a busy international traffic schedule through Kabul airport and on top of that, she has to arrange small things such as personal security to even get her to the airport.
But in all fairness to her, she has been straight up and is shining the torch on the whole sorry saga of the MIQ system and the human misery it has caused, by using her own story. She knows how the media works. She has given interviews around the World in the last couple of days and so have a few from the Grounded Kiwis group which is seeing the World waking up to how absurd the NZ system is. SOme of the stories I have seen are not very flattering about NZ and I’m sure the PM will be worrying about her often talked about UN career going down the gurgler.
A friend of mine was caught up in a war zone last year (Myanmar) and could not possibly give exact dates as required, when he desperately tried to lodge his application, being on a foreign ship in Myanmar and able only to receive 48 hours transit visas to travel through Singapore. How could you possibly give a date and flight number in such a situation ?
His application was declined saying his ¨situation did not meet the requirement for emergency allocations". He belatedly got home with the help of a travel agent who had inside contacts at MIQ ¡! (So did I last year)
This was before the lottery BS was introduced. Since arriving home he has been diagnosed with PTSD and has had to give up his job. It took him about 15 years to build his career and get to the top of his game. It is all gone and no job opportunities in his specialised field in NZ. Him & his young family are not in a nice place today.
Remember also that over 90% of emergency applications have been denied. Some of the stories I have read from people when they´ve been turned down are harrowing and very sad.
Why is NZ so utterly useless that it has to be the only country in the World stopping it’s own citizens entering, causing untold family distress and mental anguish ?
MIQ processes are unfit for puspose and corrupt. Corrupt as it is blatantly clear that it is not equitable and Kiwis with the right connections have much more chance of entering NZ than those that don´t, not to mention foreigners that don’t even reside in NZ getting in. We can all speculate how that happens, especially when they can do so repeatedly. All of that in my book is disgraceful.
In my view the system is also highly likely to be illegal and in contravention of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, which NZ is a signatory of. Unfortunately the Government has successfully managed to delay a court case to test this, but it will finally be heard on 14 February. Watch this space.
There are very valid reasons why no other country in the World has treated it’s citizens like this, despite the pandemic. I realise you were quite specifically writing about the Bellis’ case. I’m replying more generally about the system, concerned about the other tens of thousands of people in her situation or similar, that have no chance. You shouldn’t need to be well known or have helpful contacts, to be able to enter your country of citizenship. Full stop.
But I am starting to think that the scaremongering and endless media circus here in NZ about COVID, has made many people so inward looking that they have no compassion for some fellow Kiwis less fortunate.
Finally, this is what our NZ passports read:
“The Governor General of the Realm of New Zealand requests in the name of Her Majesty The Queen all who it may concern to allow the holder to pass without delay or hindrance and in case of need to give all lawful assistance and protection”
p.s . I am not writing this out of concern for myself even though MIQ has totally changed my life. I have other options that I am taking advantage of. Many people don’t have that luxury and therein lies the problem
Thank you for clarifying that Blue Skies. I read several articles but they were so waffly I did not pick up the point that Bellis can come back within 14 days now if she chooses.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/...erent-category
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said Bellis had been encouraged by MIQ to consider moving her plans forward to fit the 14-day travel criteria.
Delayed travel did not meet emergency criteria - MIQ
In a statement, head of MIQ Chris Bunny said Bellis had applied for an emergency allocation MIQ voucher on 24 January, but the MIQ date requested did not meet the emergency criteria. Travel has to be time-critical and urgent, within the next 14 days.
Bellis was invited to reapply within the 14-day window, or to contact MIQ if she intended to change her flights to return to New Zealand earlier, the statement said.
Thanks for your reply Iceman, you're obviously much more informed on MIQ than I am & have very considerable first hand knowledge of the MIQ system & how it works or doesn't work.
I was just commenting specifically on the Charlotte Bellis case, not any others.
Just checking the flight schedules, there seem to be regular daily flights out of Kabul e.g. today & tomorrow flights include 3 flights to Dubai, 1 on Qatar Airways to Doha, 2 to Dehli which would all provide connections to get home.
On first appearances, getting a flight home doesn't look impossible, but I may well be wrong.
Just seems possible for her to apply under Emergency allocation & come home in next 2 weeks rather than trying to book a spot at the end of the month. Presume applications under Emergency criteria are processed urgently ?
Also, MIQ for vaccinated travellers is expected to be shut down within months as Omicron spreads widely throughout NZ.
I think there are a lot of facts missing in this as she has decided to turn it into a political campaign.
After her initial rejection (because it was outside the 14day for an 'urgent' case she was contacted within 30minutes (MIQ says) but she says she was only contacted after she went to the MP and engaged PR.
She will get in and they seem to be trying to make it work for her, in the meantime she seems to be milking it for all it's worth.
She and the media are both milking it. The media often show the government in a bad light. I don’t mind constructive criticism, but too often the articles undermine public trust in the government. They are opinion pieces rather than balanced reporting.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/127648054/charlotte-bellis-covid19-ministers-statement-on-miq-incredibly-disrespectful
Charlotte Bellis: ‘Covid-19 Minister’s statement on MIQ incredibly disrespectful.
And I’ve applied under the emergency allocation system, I’ve done everything right, why is there such a problem?”
Hipkins said Bellis’ emergency MIQ application was rejected because her flights were booked outside the 14-day requirement.