"Like many other Kiwis overseas, unfortunately that's all been paused at the moment or until a new MIQ system comes out and the flights between New Zealand and Australia are opened up again.
"They're part-time players. They're not professional athletes like the men and they're obviously not paid anywhere near as much as the men are paid for playing in the NRL. They've got their own lives back in New Zealand – jobs, families – and there are some concerns around their welfare at the moment.
"We'll do everything we can to get them back this year. At the moment flights are all paused and MIQ is paused, but hopefully in the next couple of weeks that will open up again."
MIQ temporarily paused the release of rooms on the Managed Isolation Allocation System last week due to the potentially deadly Delta outbreak in Auckland. The pause on MIQ included cancelled vouchers that were normally re-released.
Covid-19 response minister Chris Hipkins this week confirmed the pause on releasing any further MIQ vouchers had been extended for a few weeks.
The pause on releasing further vouchers does not pause emergency vouchers. People can still make applications to come home for emergencies.
The booking system will operate differently when it starts back up again. A virtual lobby booking system will be introduced. People will be selected "randomly", removing the issue of being the quickest person to "hit the button", Hipkins said.
He said it will create a more level playing field for people once they are on the site, however there won't be any vouchers released for the next week or two.
"I acknowledge that is not easy for New Zealanders abroad looking to come home," Hipkins said.
"We're asking Kiwis abroad to play their part in this response by being patient."
