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Travellers from many Asian and African countries are to face an extra $120 charge for flying through New Zealand, after the Government yesterday announced new transit visa requirements.
People from those countries flying through New Zealand to get to the Pacific Islands already have to obtain a transit visa, under rules due to expire at the end of this month.
Under the new rules, from Friday thousands of people spending just a few hours here before heading anywhere else in the world will require the correct visa.
The Government has cited concerns about security and people smuggling for the move, but critics say it will create an unnecessary bureaucratic nightmare for travellers from third world countries.
The 57 countries which already have visa-free status with New Zealand are unaffected by the initiative, as are citizens of 15 other countries. Passengers with a valid visa allowing them to travel onwards to Australia or to come to New Zealand will also not be affected.
However, citizens of some of the world's most populous countries - such as China, India, and Indonesia - will be caught up by the regulations.
The opening of new air travel routes, which in recent years have seen New Zealand added as a stop-off point for flights to and from Asia and South America, were also a factor in the rule changes, Immigration Minister Clayton Cosgrove said.
"In the present global security environment and with new air routes constantly opening up, the Government considered it prudent to introduce this new policy, which will strengthen our risk management and future-proof our border control relating to people transiting through New Zealand."
Green MP Keith Locke called the transit visa scheme a slap in the face to South Pacific countries, and predicted a drop in tourism revenue for airports and airlines.
"The move is not justified on security grounds," Mr Locke said.
"The danger posed by a passenger spending a few hours in a transit lounge at Mangere airport is minimal. What is the worst they can do? Vandalise a coffee machine?"
