NZ citizens and permanent residents who have been separated from their families protested at Parliament today, calling on the government to allow their loved ones to enter the country.
Immigration New Zealand cancelled up to 50,000 applications for temporary visas last month, which included many people waiting to join their New Zealand partners.
One of the protest organisers, Adam Gibbons, said over 500 families have not been reunited due to the border closures.
Daniel Bredenkand has not seen his family in 19 months.
"Just in this week, two days ago, my wife asked me to please stand in the door frame so my daughter can remember how tall I am because she's just completely forgotten, she doesn't remember my physical stature any more cause the only thing she sees is me on a cellphone screen."
Bredenkand said there are many who have not seen their families for such a length of time.