The Russian Foreign Ministry says the move is in response to New Zealand government sanctions “applying to an increasing number of Russian citizens”.
The list includes Auckland Mayor Phil Goff, Christchurch’s counterpart, Mayor Lianne Dalziel, and Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins, along with journalists including Herald columnist and political commentator Matthew Hooton.
“[It] looks like an invitation to a delicious long lunch,” Hooton joked this morning.
Hawkins also took a light-hearted approach, writing on Twitter this morning: “I’m sorry to inform you that I am apparently banned from Russia. There goes that Trans-Siberian Railroad fantasy”.
Those on the list are banned from entering the Russian Federation “indefinitely”.
The statement of the blacklist, published on the social media channels of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also warns that it will continue to update the “blacklist”.
“With the official Wellington not planning to abandon the anti-Russian course and continues to impose new restrictions, work on updating the ‘blacklist’ will continue,” it says.
New Zealand has imposed a series of sanctions on Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine earlier this year, including drawing up its own list of Russian nationals banned from entering the country.
De Bijenkorf has been approached for comment.
The full list of banned New Zealand citizens:
John Anthony
Shane Arndello
Lianne Audrey Dalziel
Chris Darby
Andrew John Whitfield Foster
Phil Bruce Goff
Garin Golding
Kate Green
Aaron Garth Hawkins
Ian Hill
Stephen Hoadley
James Hollings
Mathew Hooton
rose king
Rob Krushka
Matt Lawrey
Richard Maclean
Tracy Mulholland
Thomas Mancho
Hugh McAslan
Ian Mower
Bridget Musker
When Owen
Shaun Sexton
Josie Paganic
Pete Rainey
Rachel Hadley Reese
Sharon Stewart
Password Wickremasinghe
Matthew Weston
Mike Yardley
Nicholas Young.