What do our travel advisories mean?

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade provides advice on security risks in several destinations. This advice is based on information from a number of sources. It reflects risks, and our assessment of what these might mean for New Zealanders. Our assessment may also take account of the actions local authorities are taking to minimise the risk, and our ability to provide you with assistance.

The advice is designed to assist you to make informed decisions about travel destinations. We cannot tell you what to do. But your travel insurance may be affected by the issuing of a strong travel warning (especially if we advise against all travel to a destination). It is recommended that, before setting out, you contact your travel insurer to check whether or not you will be covered by your insurance policy if you are travelling to a destination featured in our high risk or extreme risk categories. Insurance cover can differ from company to company.

We do not provide advice on all destinations. We focus on those about which we have reliable information on security risks that may affect New Zealanders. You may also wish to consult the advice of other governments, but be aware that their advice is designed for their citizens.

We have a three-level system:

Extreme risk – We advise against all travel.

This advice usually applies to areas where there is conflict, warfare or civil disturbance. New Zealanders in or planning to go to these areas should be aware of the limits on official assistance that can be provided there. The Government may not be able to assist you if you are detained, injured, or otherwise prevented from leaving these areas. There may be little warning of airport closures, cancellation of air services or closure of airspace to civilian air traffic.

High risk – Non-essential travel, including tourist travel, should be deferred

High risk means we may have specific indication/s of possible location, timing or place of threatened action from sources that may be regarded as reliable. (The Ministry does not disclose the detailed information which may be behind such assessments.)

Some risk – Signifies a level of risk that warrants caution

“Some risk” means there is a heightened but still generalised threat of terrorism. Travellers should be especially alert and vigilant. Sensible precautions include avoiding large gathering places such as shopping malls and public events. In non-Western destinations places identified with Western interests such as bars, nightclubs, and commercial premises with a strong Western identity should be avoided if possible.

 

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Page last updated: Friday, 04 January 2008, 11:26 NZDT