NZOIA Reponse to COVID-19 - Updated 9 July 2020
At the time of writing the Ministry of Health reports a total of 1,540 cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand. There are twenty four active cases.
New Zealand is currently at Alert Level 1 – Prepare (the disease is contained in NZ).
In general we can now fully participate in society without any COVID-19 related restrictions. Strict border measures will remain as COVID-19 is uncontrolled in many areas overseas. The new cases have emerged through the NZ border are a timely reminder that COVID-19 is still a threat to NZ and we should continue to follow the “Golden Rules” we have come to use to help prevent future spread:
- If you are sick – stay at home
- If you have cold or flu symptoms call your doctor or Healthline and make sure you get tested
- Wash your hands
- Sneeze and cough into your elbow, and regularly disinfect shared surfaces
- If you are told by health authorities to self-isolate, do so immediately
- If you are concerned about your well being or have underlying health conditions work with your GP to understand how best to stay healthy
- Keep track of where you have been. Use the NZ COVID Tracer app
- Businesses help people keep track of their movement by displaying the NZ COVID Tracer app
- Stay vigilant and prepared to up alert levels if needed
- Be kind to others
NZOIA Office Updates
With the exciting announcement of Alert 1, we are back in business and will be running courses as per normal while working to and encouraging the Golden Rules.
We are back in the Nelson office. NZOIA gratefully received the Government Wage Subsidy Extension to enable us to keep all staff on board.
We have been attending numerous webinars and been involved with various online meetings to keep informed about what the industry is experiencing and how we can assist our members through these constantly changing times. We have been in communications with the other peak bodies to ensure that we are all providing the same message.
Along with this we have been working on a number of projects to make our qualifications and systems better than ever! Here is what we are working on:
- Implementing the approved Revalidation Review Recommendations
- Developing and implementing online membership cards
- Updating all our Scope & Syllabus and Assessment Guides for formatting and consistency
- Rock and Climbing Wall qualification reviews
- Commencement of the Bush qualification review
- Developing Assessment Plans
- Updating Assessment Resources
Training a new administration assistant remotely
Courses - All NZOIA courses are up and running again including the Symposium. Custom Courses can be requested. Check out our Risk Management of COVID-19 on NZOIA Courses – Alert 1.
Applications and Course Fees – The 2021 calendar is live. If your course has been cancelled you can choose to transfer your application to a future course, hold your fee in credit or request a full refund of your fee which we will honour as soon as we can. All those enrolled on cancelled Refresher Workshops will have their qualification extended for 6 months.
Revalidation - Due to the timely implementation of the revalidation review all members who have qualifications expiring on the 30 June 2020 have been given a year extension and are now due on the 30 June 2021. If your qualification is ‘on hold’ until the 30 June 2020 we can extend that another 6 months to give you a chance to attend a Refresher Workshop before the 31 December 2020. Just drop us a line at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will make the changes to your membership profile.
Deferment/Reassessment or Training Pathways – The NZOIA Technical Sub Committee has extended all reassessments and training pathways due, until the 31 December 2020. There is no need to contact us as we will do this automatically. We are also looking at each reassessment task to see if there is an alternate way of completing this while we are in the various stages of Alert e.g. live streaming to an Assessor, video evidence etc.
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.
Alert Level 1 – Prepare
Although business is back to normal ensure you are practicing vigilance and be prepared to up alert levels if needed. The written plan for your organisation for operating under Alert Level 1 could include the use and encouragement of the Golden Rules.
Government Measures to be taken against COVID-19 at Alert Level 1
Sport NZ Play, active recreation and sport at Alert Level 1
Sport NZ Contact Tracing Guidance and Template
Sport NZ Hygiene and Sanitation Guidance
Recreation Aotearoa continue with coffee chats and resources.
Tourism Industry Aotearoa continue to offer updated advice on how to manage the fall out of COVID-19.
Mountain Safety Council COVID-19 Outdoor Activity guidance continues to collate information on what recreation is permitted in your region and what restrictions there are due to non COVID-19 reasons e.g. Kauri dieback.
Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) Education Outside NZ has just released a large piece of EOTC research that could be of use in discussions with schools over the next few months and beyond. It advocates the contribution OE providers make to the living standards and wellbeing of New Zealander’s. Follow this link to a copy of the media release which includes a link to the down-loadable final report.
Due for an audit or surveillance?
If, due to COVID-19 impacts, your business is not providing adventure activities at this time you may be able to shift your audit date out by up to six months. If you operating there may be some flexibility available if you are struggling to know when you will be able to undertake a site visit. WorkSafe has determined criteria that the audit providers need to address before they can offer you any flexibility. This includes that the audit provider has ‘high confidence’ in your safety management system. Contact your audit provider to discuss.
Assistance Available
The Government has reviewed its Budget 2020 release, to include all businesses showing a 40% drop in in revenue instead of a 50% drop. Businesses fall into this category will be given an eight-week extension of the wage subsidy. The purpose of the wage subsidy scheme is to support employers adversely affected by COVID-19, so they can continue to pay their employees and support workers to ensure they continue to receive income, even if they are unable to work. The wage subsidy is available to self-employed, contractors, sole traders, registered charities, incorporated societies and post-settlement governance entities. Go to the Work and Income website for more information.
If you lose your job (including self-employment) from 1 March 2020 to 30 October 2020 due to COVID-19 you may be eligible for the COVID-19 Income Relief Payment. It’s available from 8 June 2020. 12 weeks of payments to help with the living costs after a sudden job loss, and give you time to find other work. Apply on line from the 8 June 2020.
Sport and Recreation Recovery Package
On Sunday 17 May the Minister for Sport and Recreation Grant Robertson announced a $265m investment into the Sport and Recreation sector as part of Budget 2020. The funding will be spread over four years and seek to achieve three outcomes.
- Reset and Rebuild
- Strengthen and Adapt
- Different and Better
Sport NZ will consult with the sector in the development of a plan to manage the funding. Details on this consultation process will be provided as a next step.
Sport NZ Community Resilience Fund
Sport NZ has announced a $15 million Community Resilience Fund to assist struggling local and regional sport and recreation organisations. It opens on Monday 11 May and will be administered through New Zealand’s 14 regional sports trusts. Eligible organisations can apply for a maximum of $1,000 for clubs and $40,000 for regional bodies.
A separate Exceptional System Support Fund of $1 million is also being set up to help maintain critical business functions of national organisations who are not normally in receipt of Sport NZ investment. There may be opportunities for national outdoor organisations to apply. The criteria are yet to be released.
More information can be found here.
Bushiness Advisory Funding
The Government has allocated funding to support New Zealand businesses and service providers during COVID-19. The funding will provide support in areas such as HR, health and wellbeing, business continuity, cashflow and finance management, strategy and digital capability. The fund is only for commercial operators not for charitable or incorporated organisations. You will go through a phone consultation and then will be issued vouchers to use with a consultant/advisor worth between $2000 - $5000. Find out more and register here.
Other Funding Avenues
The Gaming Trusts put a lot of money back into the community through sport and recreation. Unfortunately, they too have been hit hard by COVID-19 and is expected they will have less money in the pool to apply for. They will start back up under Alert Level 2. Funding for Community Groups.
Other funding avenues can be located on the Sport NZ website, however you will need to check if they are up and running again.
If you are experiencing a cough, a high temperature (at least 38 degrees Celsius), shortness of breath, sore throat, sneezing and runny nose and/or temporary loss of smell and have recently been overseas or have been in close contact with someone confirmed with COVID-19 please call the Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or your Doctor immediately.