not fun for anyone. neighbouring new zealand is keeping its borders closed until the end of the year — as part of an elimination strategy to keep covid—19 out and the economy open. here's prime minister jacinda ardern. i've previously said that the border has acted like a collective armour for new zealand, protecting us against the virus. the trick with vaccination is to move to each of us having individual armour and meaning we need to rely less or at least less not only on border settings. vaccines are the game changer in this pandemic but for them to be successful, we need as many people as possible to be vaccinated. new zealand's borders have been shut for 18 months, in one of the world's most successful efforts in controlling the pandemic. the nation of five million people has reported just 26 deaths and has zero current infections. it has managed to completely stamp the virus out. ardern has said the country can return to "normal" only when the rest of the world does too. she acknowledges it's been difficult for the people of new zealand.