Australian mum bursts into tears after being told daughter in New Zealand is returning home

An Australian mother burst into tears live on radio after being told her daughter in New Zealand was coming home for the first time in almost 18 months.

Newstalk ZB journalist Chelsea Daniels phoned her mum Michelle on Tuesday after New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the trans-Tasman travel bubble allowing quarantine free travel with Australia from April 19.

Adelaide-born Ms Daniels, who has been living in New Zealand for the past six years, has not seen her family since December 2019 when she visited for Christmas after Covid border closures prevented free travel to and from Australia.

Ms Daniels’ father booked flights for his daughter on her behalf for next month just moments after the travel bubble was given the green light, allowing her to be home for her birthday.

But Ms Daniels’ mother was not aware until her daughter called her while speaking on the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive radio program. 

Newstalk ZB journalist Chelsea Daniels (pictured right with her family) revealed to her mother live on radio she was returning to Australia from New Zealand for a few weeks following news the trans-Tasman travel bubble had been given the green light

‘You’re joking me, please tell me you’re joking,’ Michelle said when she was told she was live on-air as her daughter revealed her surprise announcement. 

Ms Daniels said: ‘You know that the bubble announcement was today… I just had to let you know that I’ve booked to come home next month,’ to which her excited mother replied ‘When?’.

She revealed May 12 as the date mother and daughter would be reunited, ahead of Ms Daniels’ birthday two weeks later.     

‘Oh my God honey that is fantastic, so you’re going to here for your birthday,’ Michelle said as she fought back tears, to which Ms Daniels said ‘yes’.

‘Omg I’m absolutely ecstatic. Isn’t this just wonderful news. God bless Jacinda, she came through,’ Michelle said.  

‘Not being able to see her, it’s just been so hard. Her Christmas presents are still in my bedroom.’

Adelaide-born Ms Daniels (pictured), who has been living in New Zealand for the past six years, has not be home to see her family since December 2019

An emotional Ms Daniels said spending Christmas last year without her family ‘was really hard’ and had been made more difficult by the news her nan had dementia. 

‘I’m so excited, it’s such a long-time coming. I’m actually getting teary talking about it. It’s the longest time I haven’t been home since I’ve lived in New Zealand,’ she said.

‘Within the last year, my Nanna has been diagnosed with dementia. So I already know from phone calls and Facetime’s that I’m not going home to the woman I left.’ 

Ms Daniels’s reunion with her family is just one of thousands expected over the coming months after Ms Ardern said her cabinet is now satisfied the conditions needed for quarantine-free travel have been met.