Trapped by COVID - Help Ash return home to NZ

So unfortunately, Ash is one of those extremely unlucky buggers that gets jack shit from the Australian government during this pandemic. And this lockdown couldn’t have been more poorly timed… Ash had just made the heartbreaking decision to return home to New Zealand to seek treatment for severe mental ill-health which has debilitated her for the past two years and has now reached crisis point. Just as Ash had vacated her apartment, gotten rid of all her things and wrapped up her life (somehow) in Australia to fly home, lockdown hit. Now Ash is stuck here, waiting desperately for the borders to reopen - living off the remnants of her bond (which was meant to be her flight home), without any other money or means.

We know how the government benefits work - the endless eligibility criteria guarantee that lots of people fall through the gaps completely… Despite having lived in Australia (and being a valuable, vibrant, talented, hardworking asset) for over 10yrs, Ash doesn’t has citizenship or residency. Ash was also not working when lockdown hit (due to being to unwell to do so). The power of these factors combined means that Ash is entirely financially forsaken (and trust me, all government and non-government assistance options have been explored).

The New Zealand Government are asking for $3,100 as a managed isolation fee (two weeks quarantine on return). Flights on top of that are approx. $500 and on top of that a living cost to cover Ash whilst she waits. This is why we are asking for this amount.

Please help us get Ash through lockdown and onto a plane so she can get home to Dunedin and access the much needed medical, psychological and financial support that citizenship will ensure she receives.