The Government is insisting a cruise ship must be crewed with New Zealand workers before it enters domestic waters, scuppering the plans of 700 Kiwi holidaymakers. But on Thursday, as the ship approached, immigration officials stepped in and refused visa exemptions for more than 60 hotel staff. It is currently sitting off NZ after Immigration officials refused to grant hospitality crew a critical worker's visa. But the Government hit back, claiming the cruise ship operators only asked for exemption two days before leaving Indonesia in early January. “The reality is that all ships crew need to hold maritime qualifications and also be trained for the ship that they are sailing aboard.

Source: Stuff January 29, 2021 01:01 UTC