Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the Government "could not have been clearer" to Kiwis in Australia that there was a one week window to get home in July.
"We gave people a week. We even said if there's a chance you need to be home, this is your window to come home now," Ardern told Breakfast.
She still felt the one week grace period amid the eight-week trans-Tasman bubble closure was enough.
"There was capacity during that time. We know people had the opportunity."
Ardern said red flights from Australia , bar New South Wales, will restart "at some point", but people would still be required to go through MIQ.
Managed return flights are taking place until August 22 for those stuck in New South Wales .
Her comments came after a travel agent helping Kiwis to get home lamented the MIQ booking system and called on the Government to do more.
Appearing on Breakfast, Zaheda Davies described the Government as a "bit tardy" on effective management of the system.
Zaheda Davies says it is the "biggest challenge" and "hurdle" and wants more from the Government. (Source: Other)
She said Kiwis stuck in Australia had gone for valid reasons, such as the death or sickness of loved ones.
"It all comes back to MIQ every time. Without MIQ there is nothing," Davies said.
"We need the Government to work with us and give us the ability to work with MIQ."
Davies said she wanted travel agents helping Kiwis to have "first dibs" on spaces and have access to the system itself to plan bookings.
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