7 October, 2021
Tēnā tātou katoa,
In this pānui:
- Alert Levels around the motu - and upcoming change
- Super Saturday - A National Day of Action for Vaccination
- Third Resurgence Support Payment (RSP)
- Tax - Due Date
- Karakia
- Introducing My COVID Record
- COVID-19 Resources
- Public Consultations - Adventure tourism, Digital Future
ALERT LEVELS AROUND THE MOTU
Waikato (as at 7 October 2021)
More parts of Waikato will move to Alert Level 3 from 11:59pm on Thursday, 7 October 2021.
The extended Alert Level 3 area will include the Waitomo District, including Te Kuiti, as well as the Waipa and Ōtorohanga districts.
Raglan, Te Kauwhata, Huntly, Ngāruawāhia, Hamilton City and some surrounding areas remain at Alert Level 3.
All these areas of Waikato will be in Alert Level 3 until 11:59pm on Monday, 11 October 2021.
Full Alert Level 3 rules apply for these regions.
This will be reviewed on 11 October 2021.
With new cases showing up, local residents are asked to check if they have visited locations of interest and get tested.
People in the Waikato and wider New Zealand should get vaccinated.
To find out where vaccinations are available in the Waikato check here.
To find out more about testing stations in the area, go to the Waikato District Health Board website.
Tāmaki Makaurau
From 11:59PM on 5 October 2021, restrictions are being eased in a three-step process.
Alert Level 3, Step 1 Golden Rules:
- Continue to work or study from home if you can.
- Wear a face covering and keep your distance from people while out and about.
- Two households can meet up outdoors with a maximum of 10 people. Separate households should maintain physical distancing.
- More outdoor exercise such as yoga and bootcamp. 10 people can take part while maintaining physical distancing of 2 metres.
- Children can return to early childhood centres with 10 children in each bubble. Please keep all older children at home.
- Businesses that require close physical contact cannot operate. Gyms remain closed.
- Keep scanning QR codes and record keeping everywhere you go.
- Travel between regions is still restricted.
Next steps for Tāmaki Makaurau
Further steps to ease restrictions will be taken but will depend on public health advice.
Step 2
- the plan is for retail to open its doors with the usual measures. Public facilities will open and the number of people who can meet outdoors will increased to 25.
Step 3
- the plan is to reopen hospitality venues such as cafes and restaurants; events facilities like cinemas and casinos, and close-contact businesses such as hairdressers and beauty salons. Outdoor and indoor social gatherings of up to 50 will go ahead.
- These changes will depend on what happens in the coming weeks.
Financial package for Auckland sport and recreation organisations
The Government will provide $5.3 million to assist sport and recreation organisations in the Auckland region financially affected by the latest lockdown.
The new recovery investment is being made via existing Sport NZ partners. It comprises:
- Up to $3 million to support local and regional sport and recreation organisations across the Auckland Region
- Up to $1.5 million for outdoor education providers experiencing reduction in revenue due to the cancellation of school-group activities at Alert Levels 3 and 4
- An additional $800,000 for tamariki and rangatahi in financial need.
Remainder of Aotearoa NZ Level 2:
Changes to Capacity for Hospitality and Event Venues at Level 2
- From 11.59pm on Tuesday, 5 October, the 100-person cap for hospitality venues and event facilities (indoor and outdoor) has been removed. The “seated and separated” rule remains for hospitality.
- Maximum capacity will be determined by the number of customers that can be physically separated by 1 metre.
- Because social gatherings do not use the seated and separated rule, the limit of 100 will continue to apply for these.
Education
Monday, 18 October has been set as an indicative date for schools in Auckland to reopen (after the school holidays). This subject to public health advice. A decision will be made closer to the time.
Children age 12 and over are strongly encouraged get vaccinated.
Super Saturday
– A National Day of Action for Vaccination
- A collective effort is needed to ensure New Zealand is one of the most highly vaccinated countries in the world.
- Everyone is being asked to contribute to a nationwide push for vaccination. This will culminate in a National Day of Action for Vaccination on Saturday 16 October, Super Saturday.
- On this day, vaccination clinics nationwide will open all day and into the evening.
- Business, media, and community groups can also play a role. Those that want to offer incentives to the unvaccinated to get vaccinated are encouraged to do so.
- There will web page with key information about the day and how people can get involved.
The Ministry of Health is holding a business briefing webinar this Friday 8 October at 3.30pm. The webinar is aimed at business owners, HR, health & safety and communications leaders, to learn how businesses can support this event. Click here to register via email.
Third Resurgence Support Payment (RSP)
Available from 8am, Friday 8 October via my IR on the Inland Revenue website.
To be eligible, you need to select a 7-day period between 1st October 2021 to a month after all of NZ returns to Alert Level 1, and compare those seven days to a typical 7-day period in the 6 weeks before 17 August 2021 to prove that you have experienced a 30% or more drop in revenue.
The payment will stay as $1,500 plus $400 per full-time equivalent (FTE) employee up to a maximum of 50 FTEs, or four times the actual revenue decline experienced by the applicant, whichever is less.
You can apply for the third payment even if you have received prior payments.
You can apply for all RSPs, or some, if you qualify. Applications for all RSP payments for the Alert Level increase of 17 August will remain open until 1 month after the whole of Aotearoa New Zealand returns to alert level 1.
You just need to identify which date you are applying for and compare the seven-day period within that date range.
Here are the dates for each RSP period:
- 17 August 2021
- 8 September 2021
- 1 October 2021
The easiest way to contact Inland Revenue is through myIR. If you would like to speak to a Māori liaison officer, ngā Kaitakawaenga Māori offer a free advisory service to help meet the needs of Māori individuals, organisations and businesses. Click here for more info and to request contact.
Tax - Due Date
Inland Revenue is closing its system from 3pm Thursday 21 October until Thursday 28 October for its final ‘Business Transformation’ – IR’s upgrade of its system, processes and organisations.
However, 28 October is when businesses should file and pay their income tax. To get around this issue, IR has sought permission to extend the filing date to Thursday 4 November.
Customers can file their returns before the IR systems shut down on the 21st, or once they come back up on the 28th. However, you should file them by 4 November. This information also helps IR process your applications for COVID-19 support quicker.
If you can’t pay your tax on time or in full due to COVID-19, Inland Revenue may be able to help you by cancelling penalties and interest.
If you have any pātai, please contact ngā Kaitakawaenga Māori by clicking here.
Tūhono mai ki te karakia
Let's connect through karakia.
Karakia begins promptly at 7am on Friday 8 October 2021.
These sessions are rich with knowledge and pūrākau from all over the motu. We invite you to join with us.
Click on this link just before 7am on Friday, 8 October: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82771142911
(Meeting ID: 827 7114 2911
Introducing My COVID Record
From the end of November, everyone in New Zealand will be able to access a scannable QR code as proof of vaccination and COVID-19 test results.
This will help reduce the risk of the virus spreading at large gatherings and events over the summer and into next year.
The first phase of this project launches next week with the website My COVID Record, where people will be able to view their vaccination records.
This is the same platform that will later allow you to download digital vaccination and COVID-19 test certificates for use in New Zealand and overseas.
Users will be able to either print or save the QR codes on their smartphone in an Apple or Google Wallet.
There will be separate codes for domestic and international verification of vaccination records and COVID-19 test results.
COVID-19 Resources
BizBulletin
is a 2-page digital flyer and checklist for businesses, managers and staff about how to support the vaccination rollout.
Click here to download the PDF.
COVID-19 Resource Toolkit
The COVID-19 Resource Toolkit is a new central hub for all New Zealand Government Unite against COVID-19 branded assets and resources.
All content is now tagged so it’s easy to search and find whatever you need.
As part of the pilot, there will be changes to improve the toolkit which may mean the design, navigation and URL may change slightly. Assets and resources will continue to be added.
To use the toolkit, visit https://covid19.brandkit.io/ and create a free account. You can then use the toolkit to search and easily download COVID-19 branded assets and resources.
Any feedback or suggestions can be emailed to COVID19Brand@dpmc.govt.nz.
Translated information is available in 26 languages.
Information is available in 5 alternate formats.
Public Consultations
ADVENTURE OPERATORS
Discussing Tourism - Adventure Activity consultation
Thursday 14 October | 2pm – 2:45pm
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ek7CirmOQu6nALvzn2Bw9w
Adventure operators have an opportunity to ask questions of the policy writers, and to make your submissions on the proposed changes to the Adventure Activities Regulatory Regime, and Risk Disclosure vs Liability Disclaimers.
You can find the consultation document here.
If you have any questions in advance, please email them to events@tia.org.nz.
Speakers include:
MBIE Principal Advisor of Adventure Activities Chris Thornborough
MBIE Policy Advisor, Nick Mercer
TIA Chief Executive Chris Roberts, who chaired the Expert Reference Group
Melissa Hammer from Anderson Lloyd - to explain the difference between a Risk Disclosure and a Liability Waiver (in the context of New Zealand law) and why it’s important for operators to use the former.
AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND’S DIGITAL FUTURE
Te koke ki tētahi Rautaki Matihiko mō Aotearoa - Digital Strategy for Aotearoa
Oct 12 Tues 11am - 1pm Virtual Hui Register
Oct 14 Thurs 9am - 11am Youth Virtual Hui Register
Oct 19 Tues 3pm - 5pm Virtual Hui Register
Oct 21 Thurs 9am - 11am Māori Virtual Hui Register
Oct 29 Tues 11am - 1pm Pacific peoples Virtual Hui Register
Nov 04 Tues 3pm - 5pm Māori Virtual Hui Register
The recent COVID-19 lockdowns have demonstrated the potential for New Zealanders to adopt digital solutions to support learning, working, connecting, and doing business in the face of a global pandemic.
As we look ahead, one of the important steps to ensuring we reach our full potential in the digital age is to create a Digital Strategy for Aotearoa, one that considers and supports the aspirations of all New Zealanders.
The Digital Strategy for Aotearoa will be the blueprint for a higher productivity, lower emissions future where all New Zealanders have the opportunity to flourish in a digital world.
Click here for more information, and to read the consultation document.
Noho ora mai,
NZ Māori Tourism
