The Finance Minister's defending New Zealand's strict border rules.

It follows criticism the MIQ system is to blame for Amazon shifting production for the Lord of the Rings television series to the UK.

But Grant Robertson says the economy has been able to operate at a high level - without Covid-19 - thanks to border restrictions.

Robertson told Heather du Plessis-Allan he doesn't accept MIQ was to blame for the loss of Lord of the Rings.

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