Quarantine-free New Zealand-Australia travel to start this week

This travel bubble is believed to be the second in the world, after one opened up between the islands of Taiwan and Palau last week.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday confirmed that the corridor would open on April. 19, giving SANZAAR, New Zealand Rugby an Rugby Australia just under a month to ensure that the competition kicks off on time in the middle of May.

New Zealand's tourism sector would be crossing fingers for a start before the country's next long weekend - Anzac Day, April 25.

Fox Glacier Guiding chief Rob Jewell told Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB that pre-Covid, Australians made up about 32 per cent of his business.

Air New Zealand (pictured) are already offering flights between Auckland and Sydney as well as Melbourne from Friday, April 9.

The decision also ends a tortured 11-month journey from when the bubble was first agreed to its implementation.

Both Australia and New Zealand have managed the Covid-19 crisis more successfully than most other developed nations after closing their worldwide borders to non-citizens and permanent residents very early during the pandemic.

Meanwhile, The Australian newspaper reported on Tuesday citing government and industry sources that quarantine-free travel between the countries could begin on April 12 or 19.

Ardern has also outlined situations in which the travel bubble would remain in-tact, as well as situations in which it would be paused.

"[This travel bubble] represents an arrangement I do not believe we have seen in any other part of the world".

Australian and NZ borders have been shut to nearly all non-citizens since March past year, with both countries requiring arrivals to spend a fortnight in quarantine before entering the community.

"People will need to plan for the possibility of having travel disrupted if there is an outbreak".

"While we absolutely wish to encourage family and friends to reunite and visitors to come and enjoy the hospitality New Zealand is ready and waiting to offer, those undertaking travel on either side of the ditch will do so under the guidance of flyer beware", she said.