All 193 people evacuated on the Air New Zealand flight from Wuhan have arrived safely, the Director General of Health says.
The government-chartered Air NZ flight, which picked up New Zealanders from Wuhan - the epicentre of the deadly coronavirus outbreak - departed about 6.45am (NZ time) and arrived in Auckland about 6pm.
The evacuees were from 12 countries including New Zealand. Another eight consular and health staff also travelled on board.
The passenger list included 54 New Zealand citizens and 44 New Zealand Permanent Residents on Chinese passports.
Buses arrive to collect passengers from the flight. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook
Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement about 60 people who registered for the flight did not arrive at the airport and did not give notice. Some who registered earlier chose not to take the flight and took themselves off the list.
One person was stopped from boarding the Air New Zealand flight from Wuhan after being screened pre-flight because they were unwell.
Air New Zealand shared this image of the Boeing 777-200 for Flight NZ1942 on the ground in Wuhan. Photo: Supplied by Air NZ
The flight also carried 23 Australian Citizens and 12 Australian Permanent Residents on Chinese passports, who will now be transferred by flight to Australia
The flight arrived at Auckland Airport shortly after 6pm this evening with 190 evacuees on board. Photo: RNZ
All other passengers, including Foreign Affairs and Health Ministry staff, will be placed into quarantine for two weeks in Whangaparāoa, where a Navy base has been converted into a mini village.
Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said all those from on board were in good health.
"The people I saw on the two bus loads looked very tired, very relieved, very appreciative.
"They've had a long journey - not just the flight but even getting to the airport - but the medical staff on board reported that everyone was safe and well."
Dr Bloomfield said the 23 Australian citizens on the flight would depart tonight on a Qantas flight bound for Australia.
Everyone on board the plane apart from the Air New Zealand volunteer crew were set to be housed there, including consular staff who had travelled to Wuhan as well as health officials.
Images of the Whangaparāoa reception centre have also been released this afternoon:
The Whangaparāoa reception centre Photo: Supplied / NZDF
Inside the Whangaparāoa reception centre. Photo: Supplied / NZDF
The Whangaparāoa reception centre Photo: Supplied / NZDF
In a statement, the Health Ministry said people at the centre would receive daily medical checks while in isolation.
"We also want to ensure while people are in isolation, they can continue to maintain as normal a life as possible, despite the circumstances. That might mean people working remotely, meeting education needs for children and providing for leisure activities. Catering will be provided by commercial contractors."
There is a no-fly zone above this facility and people who want to drop parcels off to people in the facility will be asked to drop them at the local police station in Orewa.