All passengers on Air New Zealand domestic flights will need to be fully vaccinated or have a negative Covid-19 test from mid-December.

Everyone will be asked to show proof of their vaccination status or test result before they check in to their flight, the airline said.

Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran said with the Delta variant measures that once kept people safe were no longer enough and an extra layer of protection was needed.

The new requirement should be in place by 14 December and will apply to all passengers aged 12 and older.

It will be in place for an initial period until the end of March next year.

All tests and vaccines approved by the government would be accepted.

Travellers are encouraged to download the Air New Zealand app so they can easily connect it to their vaccination status in their vaccine pass.

Foran said the change was being made after "overwhelming" feedback from customers and employees, who wanted more protection during travel.

Travellers who can not provide proof before their flight can put their fare into credit or get a refund, if they have purchased a fare that allows that.

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