For immediate release 
30 March 2022 

At a meeting yesterday, Kawerau District Council agreed to remove the requirement for My Vaccine Passes on entry to all indoor staffed areas from 11:59pm on 4 April 2022. 
This decision is in line with the government’s recent announcement that said “with Omicron nearing its peak and the number of vaccinated people in the community it it’s the right time to review the restrictions we have in place.” 
Council agreed that the focus is to ensure Council can continue to provide all essential services and make them as accessible as possible for everyone in the community. 
However, Council will retain the requirement for all customers to wear masks indoors. In addition, indoor capacity limits will remain in Council venues in line with the Red setting that the district remains in as part of the Covid-19 Protection Framework. 

What does this decision mean? 

• From 11.59pm on April 4 there will be no requirements for people to use my vaccine passes (even if the country remains in red) at any Council venues.
• The reason for the removal of the MVP requirements is the high level of vaccinated New Zealanders and the features of the Omicron variant.
• Council will continue to ask people to wear masks indoors as this protects our staff and other customers. 
• The public will be required to adhere to indoor capacity limits
• The public will not be granted access to staff areas inside the Council Offices 
• Council Meetings will continue to be held via zoom in red setting, therefore the public will not be able to attend 
• The requirement for scanning in becomes optional. QR codes will remain in place for those who wish to maintain their personal diary.

What Council Facilities and When? 

The decision will take effect from 11.59pm on Monday 4 April (even if the country remains in red) and will apply to:
•    Council Offices and Neighbouring Council Building (mask wearing and capacity numbers remain in place)
•    i-SITE (mask wearing and capacity numbers remain in place)
•    Kawerau District Library and Museum (mask wearing and capacity numbers remain in place)
•    Maurie Kjar Memorial Swimming Pools Complex 

Please remember that our district is yet to experience the peak of Covid-19 cases.

Council has put continuity plans in place, to ensure that we can maintain all services, with a focus on essential services like Three Waters and kerbside rubbish removal and recycling.
However, there may still be impacts and short lunchtime closures due to impacts on Council staff and their families and we apologise in advance. 

Council Offices - AA Driver Licensing

The Council Offices will continue to close daily from 12.30pm to 1.30pm to allow for split shifts rosters to continue. 

Our Customer Services team will continue to provide AA Driver Licensing services with the hours as follows:
AA Driver Licensing available 9.00am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4.00pm daily Monday to Friday
Please note: AA Driver Licensing services are subject to the availability of qualified staff. Council recommends people phone ahead before coming to ensure that the AA Driver Licensing is available on 07 306 9009.  

Council provides a number of non-contact service options

For people who wish to limit their exposure to the Covid-19 virus, Council offers a number of methods to contact us and make payments. 
Our team are ready to assist with your enquiry, please call them on 07 306 9009 or email kaweraudc@kaweraudc.govt.nz
Customers can pay any fees, rates, dog registrations and fines via 
•    Phone 07 306 9009 using a debit or credit card 
•    Online banking
•    Set up a direct debit with their bank
•    Via the website kaweraudc.govt.nz  

Kawerau District Library and Museum 

The District Library and Museum will continue to close from 12.30pm to 1.30pm daily to enable staff to work safely in a split shift roster. The District Library offers a range of online services including:
Kawerau Library Online Catalogue This is where you can renew library items and place free holds.
Kawerau eResources (kotui.org.nz) This will take them to our online eResources
Upper North Island - OverDrive One of the apps we offer for eBooks and eAudio available to patrons. It is also known as Libby. App is available on iOS and Android.
Kawerau District Library - Kawerau District Library (wheelers.co) This is the ePlatform app. This is also for eBooks and has an App for iOS or Android.
Outdoor wifi in the courtyards. Connect to APNK Library, password apnk2765
A bin will be at the front door to return books in library opening hours.
Customers can phone the Library on 07 306 9041 or email library@kaweraudc.govt.nz to organise ordering and collection of physical library material.

i-SITE Visitor Information Centre 

The i-SITE Visitor Information Centre will continue to close daily for 30 minutes at lunchtime. Please note, the hours of opening are as follows: 
Weekdays Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm
Saturday and Sunday 10am – 2pm 

[ENDS] 

For more information, please contact Communications and Engagement Manager Tania Humberstone on 027 464 3785.