New Zealand Politian, Winston Peters, says that is unlikely that Australia will come to the table with a recently proposed visa scheme, allowing international tourists to travel freely between the two countries using a common visa. The tourism industry is lobbying for a regional visa covering both countries, saying there will be more visitors if there is one. During the recent 2015 Cricket World Cup, a joint 3-month visa was offered to fans, which the tourism industry touting as a great success.
Mr Peters says Australia’s visa grant rate for Chinese tourists is 94.2 percent, and if New Zealand had the same rate 2346 Chinese nationals would have been refused entry in March alone.
The Tourism Industry Association’s chief executive, Chris Roberts, says New Zealand is more likely to accept Australian screening of visitors than the other way around.