Link Mark Rose, chief executive of The Rees Hotel in Queenstown: 'The opening of a travel bubble with Australia is awesome news.' Photo: Jackie Guy A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirms that more Australians have been applying for passports since the announcement of quarantine-free travel arrangements with New Zealand. With passports being practically unusable for most people over the past year, DFAT reminds Australians planning to travel to New Zealand to check if theirs is still current before they book. You will now receive updates from Traveller Newsletter Traveller Newsletter Get the latest news and updates emailed straight to your inbox.