There are as many as 2500 New Zealanders in NSW hoping to be on one of the first flights out, but there are only about 1000 MIQ rooms available over the next two weeks. Photo / Getty Images
By Kate Gregan, RNZ
A pregnant New Zealander who has been stranded in Sydney will return home after being granted an exemption for a mercy flight.
Carol Taupau, who has been stuck in Sydney since flying there for her aunt's funeral in June, is 26 weeks pregnant, has two young children at home and can't work remotely.
After initially being told she wouldn't qualify for a priority seat, Taupau received the positive news yesterday afternoon.
"I am very relieved," she said.
Taupau was initially told by the Government's call centre that she would not qualify for an urgent or exceptional need exemption, but to fill out a form anyway.
"I just saw the top half of the message and it said my application was approved, I was really, really overwhelmed. I just couldn't believe that I got approved," she said.
Mercy flights from New South Wales began on Tuesday, with travellers heading into managed isolation upon arrival.
Taupau said her family waiting for her back in Auckland are also ecstatic that she's coming home.
"I'm looking forward to coming out of isolation just before my son's 5th birthday celebration… I am very happy."
She will fly to New Zealand later today.
People are calling for free testing so people would drive safely.