NZOIA Response to COVID-19 - Updated 19 October 2021
NZOIA Office and Course Updates
Covid-19 Current Status
Current Alert Level
Auckland remains at Alert Level 3 Step 1. This will be reviewed on Monday 1 November 2021.
Parts of Waikato (Raglan, Te Kauwhata, Huntly, Ngāruawāhia, and Hamilton City) remain at Alert Level 3 this will be reviewed on Friday 22 October 2021
Northland will move to Alert Level 2 at 11:59pm on Tuesday 19 October 2021
The rest of NZ is at Alert Level 2.
Active Cases
NZ currently has active cases of Covid-19 in the community. Latest updates and numbers are available on the Ministry of Health website.
Contact tracing locations of interest
NZOIA Office Updates
Courses - NZOIA Courses can still operate under Alert Level 1 and 2. You will only be able to attend a NZOIA course if you have come from an Alert 1 or 2 location. If you are traveling to the course you need to take your Alert Level with you. Please be aware that transit through Alert 3 areas (including airports) is not permitted under Alert 3 guidelines. If you are in a Alert 3 or 4 location at the time of the course please contact the office to arrange an alternative solution. We can transfer your application to a future course, or hold your fee in credit or provide a full refund of your fee. You can view our Risk Management of COVID-19 on NZOIA Courses here:
Risk Management of COVID-19 on NZOIA courses - Alert 1
Risk Management of COVID-19 on NZOIA courses - Alert 2
Symposium - Unfortunately the 2021 Symposium has been cancelled due to Alert levels. We are absolutely gutted to have to do this for the second year in a row. All attendees will receive a full refund or credit. Tertiary Scholarship students will have the option of joining the 2022 Symposium.
However, there is a silver lining…under Level 2 the new Assessor Training Workshop, Assessors Conference and as many Refresher workshops as possible will still all go ahead. Please be aware that transit through Alert 3 areas (including airports) is not permitted under Alert 3 guidelines.
We have started our contingency planning for Refresher workshops. Please bear with us while we sort out these logistics and we will let you know any changes as soon as we can.
The Excellence Awards and AGM will move online and be held Monday 18 October at 7pm via Zoom.
We would like to thank you all for keeping optimistic and hanging in there with us. We really appreciate it.
Membership – Annual membership and registration fees were due on the 1 July 2021. Here are a couple of options to assist you maintain your membership and registration if you are still experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19:
- spread out your Full or Associate Member payments over 4 instalments. Due on 1 July, 1 Aug, 1 Sep and 1 Oct. We will renew your membership once the first payment has been made.
- downgrade to Associate Membership and put your qualifications on hold if you are no longer in employment. You can upgrade to a Full Member once you are back in the workforce.
Applications and Course Fees – If your course has been cancelled or is cancelled due to COVID-19, you can choose to transfer your application to a future course, hold your fee in credit or request a full refund of your fee.
Revalidation – If your revalidation plans have been interrupted due to COVID please contact the office for assistance.
Advice for Members
We understand that this situation has had and will continue to have a big effect on many of our membership, both emotionally and financially. During this time, it is important to take care of ourselves, our whanau and our community. Employers also have a duty to minimise risk to staff. The situation is constantly changing and we need to act decisively.
Outdoor recreation programmes and courses need to ensure they are following the below Government measures.
Government Measures to be taken against COVID-19 at Alert Levels
Guidelines and resources
Sport and Recreation guidance at different Alert Levels
Sport NZ Play, active recreation and sport at different Alert Levels
Sport NZ Contact Tracing Guidance and Template
Sport NZ Hygiene and Sanitation Guidance
Recreation Aotearoa have and extensive library of guidelines, webinars and resources to inform and support the recreation industry. Guidance for outdoor school camps, outdoor educations, outdoor activity providers, youth organisations, recreational clubs, schools and commercial adventure operators is published on their website.
Tourism Industry Aotearoa continue to offer updated advice on COVID-19.
Mountain Safety Council Guidance for personal outdoor recreation during COVID-19
Education Outside NZ provide guidance and information about EOTC Learning through Covid-19 Alerts.
Events and entertainment guidance at different Alert Levels
Education guidance at different Alert Levels
Domestic and International Travel guidance
All of New Zealand should continue to do the following:
- sign into places, using the NZ COVID Tracer app, turn on Bluetooth tracing or keep a record
- maintain good hygiene practices
- stay home if you’re unwell and get a test.
Assistance Available
This is available for businesses, including self-employed people, to help pay employees who cannot work from home while they wait for a COVID-19 test result.