1 April 2021
Ref: DOIA 2021-1688
Afiqah Ramizi
National President
New Zealand International Students Association
Email: [FYI request #14816 email]
Dear Afiqah Ramizi
Thank you for your email of 2 March 2021 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
(MBIE) requesting, under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following information:
In light of the new announcement made today by the MBIE, on increasing the MIQ costs for
temporary visa holders from $3100 to $5520, please provide the complete breakdown of the
MIQ costs.
We would like to understand the rationale for the additional $2420 that is applicable only to
temporary visa holders. This information would help us support international students who
are currently offshore, and will be severely impacted by this cost increase.
The updated Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) fee of $5,520 (including GST) set for temporary
entry class visa holders represents the average weighted cost for a single person staying in MIQ for 14
days, which MBIE is responsible for. Please note, this figure does not include the costs of any additional
services provided by other Government agencies involved in MIQ, including the Ministry of Health, New
Zealand Police, New Zealand Defence Force and the Aviation Security Service.
With this in mind, the table below provides a breakdown of the average weighted costs of MIQ services, at
the time the original fee level of $5,520 was set for ‘other critical workers’:
Average weighted costs
MIQ facility, including accommodation and food costs.
$3,432
Transport, including costs of transport to and from airports
$256
and MIQ facilities, including between internal flights.
Operational costs, which include MBIE personnel based in the
$517
MIQ facilities and also the regional isolation and quarantine
teams, security and staff wrap-around support.
Support costs, which covers MBIE personnel involved in MIQ
$595
operations and ICT services.
Total excluding GST
$4,800
Total including GST
$5,520
When the fees system was introduced in August 2020, the charges were set deliberately low to balance
the rights of New Zealanders to return home with having an economically sustainable MIQ system. As you
can see from the figures provided above, the current $3,100 (including GST) fee charged to New Zealand
citizens and permanent residents is significantly less than the average cost for a stay in the MIQ network.
Unlike New Zealand citizens and permanent residents, temporary entry class visa holders do not have a
legally protected right to enter New Zealand. Temporary entry class visa holders enter the country
primarily for economic, education or job-related reasons, and the workers, employers, students and
supporting agencies receive the direct benefits of them coming into the country.
The change in the fee level supports the Government’s ability to recover an amount closer to the actual
costs for MIQ. This fairly reflects the benefits to both the New Zealand public of having a robust COVID-19
response system, and those who leave and enter the country. Although the new fee is closer to the actual
cost of MIQ, it is important to note the Government is still subsidising some of the cost, and temporary
entry class visa holders will continue to have the ability to apply for full or partial fee waivers.
I trust you find this information helpful, however, you have the right to seek an investigation and review
of this response by the Ombudsman. Information about how to make a complaint is available, at:
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/.
Yours sincerely
Kara Isaac
General Manager
Managed Isolation and Quarantine Policy
