Cabinet ministers are expected to discuss their plan for reopening the borders when they meet today.

A staged timeline was outlined late last year, but was quickly pushed back because of the risks posed by the Covid-19 Omicron variant.

The latest plan states that from the end of February, vaccinated New Zealanders in Australia, and possibly elsewhere, will be allowed to skip managed isolation and isolate at home.

The same conditions are set down for most foreigners from the end of April.

Ministers have been reviewing those dates, and RNZ News understands Cabinet will finalise, but not announce them, today.

'Betrayal'

Former Police Assistant Commissioner David Cliff who has moved to Switzerland for a job, says people overseas need certainty.

"There seems no logical reason why it can't be announced today.

"I can't understand the hold-up."

Cliff says he has found it impossible to book an MIQ spot to return to see elderly parents and friends, so booked tickets for mid-February, when under the reopening original plan he would have been able to return without having to stay in MIQ.

He is now "just sitting in limbo".

"We feel wounded by the faith in the government, ideas of loyalty, care compassion, looking after New Zealanders. All of us who have international roles very much waved the flag for New Zealand every day.

"For us it's not desperate at the moment, but for so many young people who've lost their jobs or visas are expiring, they're desperate to get back home.

"We want the government to do the right thing for the fully vaccinated, those who've had boosters, there's an ability for us to come straight back into the country and free up MIQ for those who need it.

"[MIQ] has had its time, has had its place, but things have moved on."

-RNZ.