Will there be a Pacific bubble?

With New Zealand now in level one, important discussions are happening about the possibility of opening up a trans-Tasman and Pacific bubble.

Pacific islands rely heavily upon tourism and although they have successfully achieved few or no cases of COVID-19, the long-term economic devastation of this pandemic will continue as borders remain closed.

Several recent articles have highlighted an array of different views on when, or if, a Pacific bubble should occur:

This opinion piece from Colin Tukuitonga argues why a Pacific bubble should be prioritised over a trans-Tasman bubble.

• https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/13-06-2020/the-trans-tasman-bubble-can-wait-nz-and-the-pacific-can-make-a-covid-free-zone/

Brook Sabin explains why a Pacific travel bubble isn’t as simple as some people believe.

• https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/121829084/the-real-reason-why-the-pacific-travel-bubble-isnt-happening-now

Jacinda Ardern was interviewed on The AM Show explaining the New Zealand government’s decision to not rush into a Pacific bubble. Watch the interview below.

• https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/06/coronavirus-jacinda-ardern-explains-why-there-s-not-pacific-travel-bubble-yet.html

Radio New Zealand recently had a discussion with Michael Field around the issues that come with opening a Pacific bubble.

• https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/thepanel/audio/2018750918/more-calls-for-nz-to-include-cook-islands-in-bubble