NZ: German Yacht Breaks Border Restrictions – Crew to be Deported and Yacht Liable for Duty

NZ Immigration take swift action when a German Yacht arrives in Opua, NZ from French Polynesia without permission. All three crew are waiting to be deported to their home country and the yacht is liable for seizure and duty. This action sends a clear message to others who might consider doing similar. Attempting to breach New Zealand’s border controls is a serious matter and will be dealt with accordingly.

Published 4 years ago

Opua

Update 29 September, 2020: 

Jacob Kraus, Sophia Ulbrich and Hans Borner were detained in custody in Auckland after they arrived in the Bay of Islands in breach of border restrictions on Friday afternoon. Borner and Kraus will be jailed in Mount Eden Prison, while Ulbrich will be in Auckland’s Womens Prison until their flight back to Germany on Thursday afternoon.

Read full article by RNZ here.

Posted 28 September, 2020:

The 16 meter German yacht “Anita” with three German crew on board arrived in Opua, Bay of Islands, NZ on Friday 25 September. 

They has applied for an exemption to the NZ Covid-19 border restrictions prior to leaving Nuku Hiva (French Polynesia) two and a half months ago, however had departed on passage before a reply had been received. As it turned out, their application for an exemption was denied.

“The action by these individuals to knowingly travel here without approval demonstrates a blatant disregard for New Zealand’s border restrictions and will not be tolerated,” said an NZ Immigration representative. 

A ban on foreign vessels was relaxed in early September to allow foreign fishing or cargo ships to enter New Zealand, or vessels which had been granted an exemption by the Director-General of Health. However, NZ Immigration have made it clear in recent weeks that a potential future cyclone does not provide sufficient basis to warrant an exemption from the Order for yachts currently in the South Pacific wanting to head to NZ.

As SY Anita entered Opua she was met by the NZ Customs patrol vessel and escorted to a quarantine dock. All three German nationals on board have been refused entry to NZ and arrangements are being made to fly them back to Germany as soon as possible. Their yacht is liable for seizure and duty liability and is being held in Customs control for further investigation.

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Noonsite has not independently verified this information.

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  1. September 30, 2020 at 9:39 PM
    dulls says:

    A world wide police state now in operation.

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    1. October 30, 2020 at 2:54 PM
      nepal says:

      Let’s not drive reckless, avoid to travel reckless. We are all responsible for the elderly, the children, the sick, the people who cann’t afford heath care, etc.

    2. October 31, 2020 at 4:42 PM
      Osprey99603 says:

      It’s not just the Covid-19 that is causing all this disruption, it is the ignorant bureaucrats and politicians trying to do right that is causing the unnecessary pain. Death and destruction by a typhoon is a very real risk that can only be mitigated by avoidance. A sailboat crew at sea for three weeks have already been quanrantined- they pose NO risk to anybody! I wish the politicians (who continue to receive their paycheck, medical benefits, and vacation benefits during lock downs) could be held directly liable for their actions. Maybe their decisions would be a little more rational. For me, I will not spend my money or time in New Zealand.