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SAR and British National (Overseas) (BNO) passport holders will have visa-free entry to New Zealand from October 1.

 Yesterday's announcement, which came during Tung Chee-hwa's visit to New Zealand, brought to 49 the number of countries granting SAR passport holders visa-free access.

 Wellington will allow holders of both passports a stay of up to three months.

 Speaking after a meeting with Mr Tung, New Zealand Prime Minister Jenny Shipley said her Government had looked closely at the benefits and the risks of abolishing the visa requirement.

 'We believe the benefits far exceed any risk,' she said.

 Ms Shipley said a well-established relationship already existed between Hong Kong and New Zealand. The SAR was New Zealand's seventh largest export market and a source of foreign investment and visitors.

 Before yesterday's announcement, New Zealanders could enter Hong Kong without visas but there were no reciprocal rights.

 The number of New Zealanders arriving in Hong Kong has far exceeded Hong Kong visitors to New Zealand in recent years.

 Last year, there were 54,228 arrivals from New Zealand while only 32,383 Hong Kong people travelled south. The figures stood at 58,417 and 32,900 respectively in 1996.

 Meanwhile, Mongolia has granted visa-free access for up to 14 days for SAR passport holders with a reciprocal arrangement covering Mongolian visitors to Hong Kong.

 The agreement was signed by the Mongolian Ambassador to China, Dagva Tsakhilgaan, and the Director of Immigration, Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, yesterday.



SAR and BNO passport holders granted visa-free entry to New Zealand