Jade Brindley was watching live when NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern last week announced that quarantine-free travel to the country had finally been given the green light.

The two-way trans-Tasman bubble will begin at 11.59pm on April 18, with Ms Brindley booked on a flight for 8.55am that next day.

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"As soon as she (Ardern) announced it I started crying," she said.

"My dad lives in New Zealand as well as my sister, brother-in-law and nephew who I haven't met yet. My nephew is about eight months old so I'm keen to get over.

"I'm counting down the hours."

She had to fork out $650 for the return ticket, which wasn't too much in her mind considering the memories she'll make.

The NZ prime minister said certain flights into Australia could be put on pause if there were to be any local outbreaks. She also made clear that both countries retained the right to close borders at short notice.