Tēnā tātou katoa,
He pānui nui e haere ake nei, e te whānau! A lot of information this week! Applications for the final Wage Subsidy close tomorrow. See more below.
In this pānui:
- NZMT Webinar: Operating under Covid Protection Framework
- Inland Revenue Support - overview
- MSD Support - overview
- Sector Specific Support
- Guidelines Tourism & Accommodation
- Key Links
- Upcoming dates
NZMT Webinar: Operating under Covid Protection Framework
NZ Māori Tourism is hosting a webinar this Friday 10 December 2021 from 10am to 11am. The webinar aims to provide support in navigating the recent changes under the Covid Protection Framework, otherwise known as the Traffic Light System.
Speakers:
- Glenda Harris, WorkSafe: How WorkSafe can support Māori businesses, hapū, iwi and communities in the transition.
- Kylee Daniel, MBR Tāpoi Programme: Overview of the Covid Protection Framework System for your business & Communication to Customers.
- Glenda Startup, NZ Māori Tourism: HR and employment matters
Facilitator: Dale Stephens, Chairman NZ Māori Tourism
Please register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eoOrX33zTLOH76K1ljOr7Q
Email your pātai through to info@maoritourism.co.nz
Inland Revenue
Resurgence Support Payment
You can currently apply for the 4th, 5th, 6th Resurgence Support Payment. (The first three have now closed).
You can apply for all the RSP payments, but you are only entitled to 1 RSP for each of the affected revenue periods.
In each case, a business or organisation (including sole traders) must show reduction in income in a consecutive seven-day period within the 'affected revenue period'.
The income during this seven-days must be at least 30% lower than a normal seven-days of income during the six weeks prior to 17 August. The six payments (red are no longer applicable) to date:
There are no more Resurgence Support Payments planned.
Eligibility for the Resurgence Support Payment
Apply for the Resurgence Support Payment
Traffic Light Transition Payment
A one-off Transition Payment will open for applications in myIR on December 10. It operates in exactly the same way as a Resurgence Support Payment, with the following details:
Your business may be able to get the payment if it had reduced income between 3 October and 9 November.
New Businesses – July 18
From December 10, businesses that have changed ownership on or after July 18 will be able to apply for the final three RSP payments and the Transition Payment. The business must be carrying on the same or similar activity as before the change in ownership.
Small-Business Cashflow (Loan) scheme
Applications for the Small-Business Cashflow (Loan) scheme remain open until 31 December 2023.
Help with paying your tax
Inland Revenue may be able to:
- help businesses by cancelling penalties and interest if they can’t pay their tax on time or in full because of COVID-19
- set up an instalment arrangement if cashflow is an issue
The easiest way to contact Inland Revenue is through myIR. Either tick the box on the screen about instalment arrangements saying you have been affected by COVID-19 or send them a message explaining your situation.
Ministry of Social Development
Wage Subsidy
The eighth round of the Wage Subsidy is still open for applications. Click here to apply. The last day to apply is 9 December. There are no more Wage Subsidy rounds planned.
Short-term Absence Payment and Leave Support Scheme
The Short-term Absence Payment and Leave Support Schemes remain available to help pay employees who are required to stay home to await test results or are required to self-isolate, where those employees are unable to work from home.
The Leave Support Scheme will change to be a weekly payment - further details will be found on that website in due course.
For a simple outline of Work and Income support, download this PDF.
Sector-specific support
Note that other forms of sector-specific support remain available, including:
Tourism Communities: Support, Recovery and Re-set Plan
This lists several initiatives to support direct communities and nationwide (including MBR Tāpoi)
Events Transition Support Payment
Designed to provide assurance to organisers of large-scale events, so they can continue organising our much-anticipated summer events.
Cultural Sector Emergency Relief Fund
Provides support for organisations, including sole traders, at risk of no longer operating viably by meeting the shortfall between income and expenses over a six-week period.
Reactivating Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland business support package)
https://www.aucklandnz.com/activateauckland
The package is a joint project between the Government, Auckland Council and Auckland Unlimited to help revive economic, social and cultural activities in Tāmaki Makaurau over summer, and ensure those in hardship also get relief.
- $12 million for a voucher and discount programme Explore Tāmaki Makaurau this summer (vouchers do not include hospitality)
- $10 million for a Local Activation Programme for programmes that are free to the public in town centres, venues and locations across Auckland, such as events organised by business associations, community groups, and cultural organisations
- $2.5 million for a promotional and marketing campaign by Auckland Unlimited to promote the voucher and discount programme and the local activation programme
- $12 million funding for foodbanks and community food organisations
- $1 million for Auckland Unlimited to deliver all aspects of the package
NZMT: OSHbox – Covid Protection Framework
OSHbox has developed a Covid-19 Protection Framework Safety System for Māori tourism operators, as well as a COVID-19 Health & Safety System for businesses. These free templates for businesses to use to assess their businesses. Please direct whānau to these if they haven’t already seen it.
Home>Industry tab>COVID-19 OSHbox resources
https://maoritourism.co.nz/about/covid-19-oshbox-resources
NZMT: Tāpoi
The MBR Tāpoi programme is a NZ Māori Tourism initiative, that designed to provide tailored support to Māori tourism businesses to help them through the effects of COVID-19.
This includes helping businesses work out if they need to diversify, restructure, and in some cases hibernate, sell or close.
The ultimate goal is to help Māori tourism businesses to survive.
To qualify for the MBR Tāpoi Programme, businesses must:
- Have been established prior to COVID-19 (before March 2020); and
- Have a minimum of one Māori shareholder/owner; and
- Demonstrate that tourism made up/makes up a portion of revenue either via international or domestic visitors.
You do not need to be a NZMT member.
Types of services include:
- Business advisory, continuity, forecasting and planning.
- Accounting and financial services.
- Compliance (risk and safety management/certification requirements).
- Specialist tourism advice.
- Marketing, digital, design and communications services.
- Health and wellbeing.
- Back-office support.
You can register for NZ Māori Tourism’s MBR Tāpoi Programme here
If you have any pātai, then please contact the team at tapoi@maoritourism.co.nz
Once registered, someone will be in contact within 24 hours to arrange a zui with our advisors to fully explore the support you require.
Guidelines: Tourism & Accommodation
TIA has come out with guidelines under the Traffic Light System for accommodation and tourism activities. Tourism activities come under the ‘ Entertainment, recreation, and exercise’ which means vaccinations for all workers are required. And if you use My Vaccine Pass verification – you are able to mostly operate under each level.
CPF guidelines for accommodation providers
CPF guidelines for tourism activities.
Key links
- BUSINESS.GOVT.NZ: Sector Specific Guidance across board
- HEALTH.GOVT.NZ: Where to download the NZ Pass Verifier
- MARAE: Traffic Light Guidance
- LIFE AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS
- WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN SELF ISOLATING
- COVID-19 Resources (branded posters etc.)
HEALTH.GOVT.NZ: My Vaccine Pass
It can also be requested by calling 0800 222 478. Pharmacies and some vaccination centres are also able to assist people in getting access to their My Vaccine Pass. A list of participating pharmacies is available on the Healthpoint website.
COVID.GOVT.NZ: Travel
For travel information you can find that here.
Travelling into or out of Auckland this summer. Some restrictions apply and can be found here.
HEALTH.GOVT.NZ: Rapid Antigen Tests
From 15 December, rapid antigen tests (RATs) will be available for purchase from local distributors. The Ministry of Health is currently working through details of supply. RATs offer a much faster turnaround than a laboratory PCR test (generally under 30 minutes) and can add an additional layer of protection for business workers, contacts and customers. However, it is important to remember these ARE NOT a replacement for vaccinations, nor can they be used as an official diagnosis of COVID-19.
NZMT: Karakia
Monday and Friday, 7am - 7:45am
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82771142911
Last date: 17 December 2021
Start back up: 17 January 2022
Upcoming Dates
9 December 2021
- Final day to apply for the FINAL Wage Subsidy
10 December 2021
- Transition Payment opens
- New businesses on or after 18 July 2021 are now eligible for the RSP
15 December 2021
- Travel in and out of Auckland allowed until 17 January 2022. People will need to carry a valid My Vaccine Pass to show that they are fully vaccinated OR a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of travel.
- Auckland residents can register interest for a ‘Explore Tāmaki Makaurau This Summer’ voucher. Auckland Unlimited will begin allocating the vouchers through an online platform in mid-January. Vouchers will be redeemable until the end of April 2022.
- Applications for Local Activation Programme open
- Rapid Antigen Test become available (more info under key links)
13 January 2021
- Final day to apply for the RSP
- Final day to apply for the Transition Payment
16 January 2022
- At 11.59 pm fully vaccinated New Zealand citizens and those residence-class visa holders and other travellers eligible under our current settings can travel from Australia.
13 February 2022
- At 11.59pm fully vaccinated New Zealand citizens and those residence-class visa holders and other travellers eligible under our current border settings can travel from all but Very High-Risk countries.
30 April 2022
- NZ opening to fully vaccinated foreign nationals (possibly staged by visa category), under various guidelines.
31 December 2023
- Final day to apply for Small Business Cashflow Scheme
Noho ora mai,
NZ Māori Tourism.
