AUCKLAND— Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has recorded a sharp increase in passenger entry denials at Auckland Airport (AKL) and other ports, with over 2,100 travelers turned away since June 2022.
Airlines including Jetstar (JQ), United Airlines (UA), and Air New Zealand (NZ), have been fined for non-compliance with border documentation rules, bearing financial responsibility when passengers arrive without valid visas or entry approvals, NZ Herald reported.
Photo- BritannicaNew Zealand Border Rejections Surge
Between June 1, 2022, and May 30, 2025, a total of 2,147 travelers were denied entry into New Zealand, according to data from Immigration New Zealand (INZ). The majority—1,302 individuals—were stopped due to “non-genuine” travel purposes. These include intentions to stay beyond visa limits or engage in unauthorized activities such as work.
The reopening of borders in late 2022 triggered a surge in international travel, which in turn led to a 300% year-on-year increase in entry denials for non-genuine reasons in 2023 alone. INZ’s Border Operations Director at Auckland Airport (AKL), Briar Pelling, attributed the trend to rising immigration risk as volumes returned to pre-pandemic levels.
In addition to non-genuine visits, 237 passengers were turned away due to character issues such as prior deportations or criminal records. Other causes included use of fraudulent passports (2 cases), misuse of transit-only New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) visas (23 cases), and miscellaneous reasons (583 cases).
Photo- New Zealand eTAUnderstanding NZ’s Entry Requirements
New Zealand’s immigration regulations demand that travelers meet a range of criteria before crossing the border.
Key requirements include possession of a valid passport, good character, financial sufficiency (at least NZ$1,000 per month or NZ$400 if accommodation is prepaid), and a demonstrably genuine purpose of visit.
Travelers must also show they plan to leave the country, typically by providing a return or onward ticket. INZ emphasizes that visa holders must not engage in paid work unless authorized. Applications and assessments are carried out on a case-by-case basis.
INZ’s website states that officers must be convinced a visitor will comply with all visa conditions, including refraining from work “for gain or reward.”
Waiheke, Auckland city, New Zealand; Photo- WikipediaWhat Happens When Travelers Are Denied Entry?
Passengers denied entry are offered limited amenities depending on the airport. At Auckland (AKL) and Christchurch (CHC), travelers can access showers, sleeping areas, internet, and other basic facilities. They may also contact their embassy or family using airport telephones.
At smaller airports like Queenstown (ZQN), Wellington (WLG), Dunedin (DUD), and Hamilton (HLZ), where such facilities are unavailable, the aim is to repatriate travelers to their last departure point as swiftly as possible. If that is not feasible, some may be held in police custody or temporarily released under reporting requirements.
If the traveler entered on an NZeTA or without a visa, the airline bears the cost of their return. For travelers with valid visas, INZ covers the expense. Between June 2024 and May 2025, the agency spent nearly NZ$97,500 to send rejected passengers home.
Photo: Clément AlloingAirlines Fined for Immigration Non-Compliance
Airlines operating flights into New Zealand must verify that passengers and crew possess the correct travel documentation. Failure to comply with these obligations can result in fines under two main categories:
- NZ$1,000 fines for Advance Passenger Processing (APP) violations—typically for inaccurate or missing data submissions.
- NZ$5,000 fines for more severe breaches, such as allowing passengers to board without valid documents or ignoring directives from INZ.
In the 2023/2024 fiscal year, 145 immigration infringements were issued. Jetstar (JQ) received the most penalties—24 fines totaling NZ$32,000. LATAM Airlines (LA) followed with 21 fines, and United Airlines (UA) faced 14 infringements totaling NZ$66,000. Air New Zealand (NZ) was fined 17 times, incurring NZ$29,000 in total penalties.
Air China (CA) also appeared on the list with 11 fines valued at NZ$11,000. These figures highlight the growing scrutiny airlines face in ensuring immigration compliance amid increasing global mobility.
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