Earlier this week, Covid-19 response minister Chris Hipkins publicly stated about 50 per cent of people were being checked at the border if they had evidence of their mandatory negative Covid test. More than 50 people had been caught without proof of a negative test and had been sent to a managed isolation/quarantine facility. On Wednesday, the NZ Herald reported how NZ Customs checked pre-departure Covid tests through "random validation" - meaning not everyone was checked when the landed. After paying more than $900 for Covid tests, Rochelle was not asked at any stage to provide evidence of the whānau's negative tests. However, on their return through Auckland Airport, Nicola said the Customs officer didn't request to see proof of their tests.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 16, 2021 17:03 UTC