In a statement, Topher Richwhite and Bridget Thackwray spoke of their relief to be back with their loved ones after being detained in Iran since July.
“We are extremely relieved and happy to be back with our families,” the couple said in a statement.
“We are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported us over the past few months and sincerely thank them for all their help during this challenging chapter of our Expedition Earth journey.
“We are safe and sound, but we would be asking for privacy for ourselves and our families for the next few days as we orientate and enjoy reuniting with our families.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said yesterday through a spokeswoman that a couple who had received consular assistance in Iran “had been out of the country” and were “safe and sound”.
Safety concerns for Topher Richwhite and Bridget Thackwray were fueled when their social media profiles had not been updated for nearly four months.
The couple traveled the world in a van and documented their journey for their hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram under the name Expedition Earth.
They entered Iran in the first week of July and have not been heard from since.
MFAT has declined to comment on the couple’s situation since August.
It is clear that MFAT believed that any coverage of the couple’s situation in Iran would pose a serious risk to their security.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she felt “great relief” when she learned of the couple’s departure from Iran.
Speaking to the media this morning, Ardern said MFAT and the New Zealand government have been working hard in recent months to “ensure the safe exit of two New Zealanders from Iran”.
She declined to comment on the circumstances that led to the couple being arrested or where they were being held.
When asked whether she would now condemn Iran more strongly, Ardern said she had been “very clear” in condemning what had happened in Iran.
“If you are a New Zealander considering travel [to Iran]don’t go and when you get there come home,” said Ardern.
“We cannot guarantee your safety and as this example demonstrates, this can lead to very difficult circumstances.”
Ardern wouldn’t give any details, other than that the couple was safe. She also declined to confirm when they would be returning to New Zealand.
“I’m glad they’re safe.”
The couple had traveled the world after deciding early on in their relationship to explore the planet in 2017.
They had taken a short break from their travels to return to New Zealand in June to get married.
The couple, who have been in all sorts of precarious situations in hot spots around the world, were advised to get married before moving into the Middle East. An escort would meet them at the border and accompany them throughout their entire Iranian leg.
Iran has been in serious trouble in recent weeks after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of that country’s vice squad.
Masha’s death sparked protests against the Iranian regime and the demonstrations are said to have killed up to 200 people and arrested 1,200.