After getting married in January, Lauren Bell and Gerry Tonkin-Hill were looking forward to spending this year together as happy newlyweds.
But a global pandemic and what they say is an oversight in New Zealand’s COVID-19 border restrictions has kept them apart for more than six months.
“I’ve been quite upset and I just want to be with my partner," Ms Bell told SBS News.
"We just got married and it's weird being newlyweds and separated with no plan on how we can get back together. We feel a bit lost and not looked after.”
The couple has been together for nine years and moved to the United Kingdom together in 2016. Ms Bell moved back to New Zealand, where she is from, late last year.
Mr Tonkin-Hill, who is Australian, travelled to New Zealand for their wedding but went back to the UK to wrap things up with his PhD, with the intention of returning to New Zealand on 20 March. But the New Zealand borders closed the day before he could return. 
Mr Tonkin-Hill is still in the UK, while Ms Bell is in the city of Tauranga on the north island of New Zealand, where she works as a secondary school teacher.
The couple got married in New Zealand in January. Source: Supplied/Brooke Porters
When New Zealand first announced its strict border lockdown to deal with COVID-19, the couple weren’t worried, assuming that they would soon allow partners of New Zealand citizens to return.
But when the legislation came through stating any partners wishing to return to the country had to have a partner visa, they realised they wouldn't qualify, despite being married.
“It doesn’t make any sense for Australians, because they have never needed a partnership visa to travel [to New Zealand] before,” Ms Bell said.
Because Mr Tonkin-Hill is an Australian citizen, he previously didn’t need a partner visa to travel or live in New Zealand, meaning he never applied for one.
But the New Zealand government is now saying only those with partner visas can come back, meaning Australians like him are excluded.
Plus, because the couple has now been living apart for more than six months, they are also ineligible to apply for a new partner visa.
They have applied for exemptions to the visa rule six times but with no success and say there is no avenue for appeal.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern closed the international borders in March. Source: AAP
It’s unclear how many New Zealanders with Australian partners are in the same situation.
In response to questions sent by SBS News the New Zealand General Manager Border and Visa Operations Nicola Hogg said those without partnership visas were subject to the border restriction unless they met another exemption criteria.
"INZ is considering options for reopening processing of partnership and dependent child visa applications for offshore partners of New Zealand citizens and residents. This will provide a pathway to New Zealand for those who do not meet the current requirements," she said.
Ms Bell said they felt excluded by the legislation.
“We are not wanting to have a go at the New Zealand Government, we think they have done a great job. We just think there are a minority of us that have been left out and excluded because of the quick way they have made the legislation,” Ms Bell said.
Mr Tonkin-Hill said the uncertainty is making managing the distance even more difficult.
“If it was December [when the COVID-19 border restrictions will change], even though that’s a long time away, at least we would know. But it could be the middle of next year. Each time something comes up it just gets pushed back again,” he said.
Ms Bell has started an official petition to the New Zealand Parliament to change the rules for Australian partners, which has attracted more than 360 signatures.
In Australia, those with proof of a relationship - such as marriage, or de facto partner status - can join their partner, regardless of whether or not they have a specific partner visa.
Ms Bell says she is pleading with the New Zealand Government to re-consider the legislation so the couple can be reunited.
“We are just kind of stuck. All I can think about is getting Gerry back,” she said.
