Source: NorthTec
NorthTec has adopted a policy for required Covid-19 vaccination, effective from Monday, 17 January 2022 and covering all sites.
This means that anyone planning to study in 2022 must be fully vaccinated by the start of semester one, with the majority of programmes getting under way on Monday, 21 February.
All ākonga (students), kaimahi (staff), contractors and visitors to NorthTec campuses and delivery sites are covered by the policy and must be able to prove their vaccination status using the My Vaccine Pass record.
The policy is in line with Te Pūkenga’s stance on vaccination, and is similar to those developed by all other polytechnics ad institutes of technology. Secondary school students who attend for secondary-tertiary study programmes are exempt from the policy, under Ministry of Education guidelines.
Toa Faneva, Te Ahurei Chief Executive, said: “The policy has been adopted following a comprehensive risk assessment; consultation with ākonga and kaimahi; and deliberation by a consultation review group consisting of key staff plus ākonga, kaimahi and staff union representatives.
“The decision hasn’t been taken lightly, and the impact on people in Te Tai Tokerau who are unvaccinated has been taken into consideration. The health and safety of everyone on NorthTec premises must be our paramount concern at this point.
“It is compulsory for vaccine passes to be shown to access tertiary education premises under the Red setting of the Covid-19 Protection Framework. This policy also gives everyone certainty and will enable us to continue face-to-face teaching regardless of changes in traffic light settings.”
The required vaccination policy will be monitored regularly and the intent is that it should remain in place as long as it is needed to reduce the risk of Covid-19 spread.
NorthTec will work with any unvaccinated staff to determine whether their role can be performed from home effectively, or whether they could be redeployed to a role which can be carried out from home.
The policy will sit alongside other procedures to reduce the risk of infection, including wearing face coverings, scanning in, physical distancing and observing hygiene measures.
NorthTec does offer programmes that can be completed fully online, and therefore are not subject to any vaccination requirements. These are:
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New Zealand Certificate in Business (Administration and Technology) (Level 3)
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New Zealand Certificate in Business (Introduction to Team Leadership) (Level 3)
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New Zealand Certificate in Business (Small Business) (Level 3)
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New Zealand Certificate in Computing (Intermediate User) (Level 3)
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New Zealand Certificate in Information Technology Essentials (Level 4)
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New Zealand Certificate in Business (Administration and Technology) (Level 4)
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New Zealand Certificate in Business (Accounting Support Services) (Level 4)
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New Zealand Certificate in Business (First Line Management) (Level 4)
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New Zealand Certificate in Business (Small Business) (Level 4)
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New Zealand Certificate in Project Management (Level 4)
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New Zealand Diploma in Business (Administration and Technology) (Level 5)
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New Zealand Diploma in Business (Human Resource Management) (Level 5)
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New Zealand Diploma in Business (Marketing and Sales) (Level 5)
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New Zealand Diploma in Business (Project Management) (Level 5)
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New Zealand Diploma in Business (Accounting) (Level 5)
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New Zealand Diploma in Business (Leadership and Management) (Level 5)
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New Zealand Diploma in Primary Industry Business Management (Level 5)
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New Zealand Diploma in Writing for Creative Industries (Level 5)
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New Zealand Diploma in Creative writing (Level 6)
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Diploma in Advanced Applied Writing (Level 7)
Visit www.northtec.ac.nz/programmes for more information about study options on campus and online.
Any current or potential NorthTec ākonga who are unsure how to access their My Vaccine Pass can contact the Ministry of Health via 0800 222 478 or NorthTec on 0800 162 100.
