Final three MIQ facilities closed

Auckland’s Holiday Inn, Jet Park, and Waipuna hotels were the last MIQ facilities in operation. 

At its height MIQ operated a total of 32 facilities in Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Wellington and Christchurch.

At its peak, the MIQ workforce totalled more than 4,000 and cared for almost 230,000 returnees and nearly 5000 community cases.

Head of MIQ Andy Milne said MIQ’s effectiveness was only possible due to the partnership between government agencies and private sector entities.

“The closure of these facilitates brings to an end an operation that spanned the country and became many things – a hotel chain, a bus company, an air charter service, a healthcare provider; with over 4,000 dedicated workers putting themselves on the line to protect their country.

“I would like to thank the management and staff at all our facilities for their professionalism, care, and attention in looking after returnees and community cases. They have been at the frontline of keeping COVID-19 out of New Zealand, and they have made considerable personal sacrifices to make sure the wider community is safe.”

Facilities that have left the MIQ network will transition back to hotel management.