Dates for the long-awaited international border reopening have been announced today (Wednesday March 16) by prime minister Jacinda Ardern.

New Zealand’s border will open to fully vaccinated Australian residents from 11.59pm on Tuesday April 12, just prior to the long Easter weekend, which also signals the beginning of the two-week Australian school holiday break.

Our borders have already opened to New Zealanders from around the world, and on Monday (March 14) critical and skilled workers became eligible to enter without isolation, the PM said.

Vaccinated travellers from the 65+ visa waiver countries, and those with valid visitor visas, will now be able to travel to New Zealand from the start of May.

“We have now received guidance that it’s safe to significantly bring forward the next stage or border reopen work to welcome back our tourists,” the PM said. “We are ready to welcome the world back.”

“In particular I look forward to welcoming back our trans-Tasman travellers who have historically made up 40 percent of our international arrivals, around 1.5M Australians. They will be able to arrive in time for the Australian school holidays and provide a particular boost for our coming ski season.”

Wānaka will be rolling out the welcome mat when the border opens. PHOTO: Wānaka App.

Lake Wānaka Tourism general manager Tim Barke told the Wānaka App the announcement was “the news the tourism industry has been waiting for”.

“Finally being able to get some certainty for when the borders will be open will be very, very welcome news for many businesses.”

The timing provides about three weeks for businesses to get themselves ready to host Australians, he said.

Cardrona and Treble Cone experiences general manager Laura Hedley said she was excited to be able to welcome Australian tourists this Easter.

She said the ski industry has been promoting New Zealand as a winter destination and the recent success of New Zealand's snow sports athletes at the Olympic Games puts the country on the radar as an ideal winter destination.

Cardrona Alpine Resort expects a busy winter now that the borders are opening. PHOTO: Supplied

“Hopefully this will provide a boost to the local accommodation and hospitality sectors as well.”

Tourism minister Stuart Nash said historically 71 percent of visitors to New Zealand were Australians, who generated more than $200M in spending. Easter, the autumn school holidays and the ski season were “popular times to make the short hop across the Tasman”, he said.

“This is an exciting moment for our hardworking tourism sector,” Stuart said.

The PM said all visitors to New Zealand need to be vaccinated and have tested negative in a pre-departure test – but will not be required to isolate upon arrival.

These tests could be a PCR test or supervised LAMP test or RAT. Visitors will be provided with RATs on arrival and need to take a test on arrival and on day five or six.

As well as today's announcement on the border, the government will in the next week decide what changes it will make to vaccine passes, mandates and the traffic light system.

PHOTO: Wānaka App