14 September 2022

I would like to wholeheartedly thank all of you for supporting our ethnic communities over the past few years.

It has been a long, unsettling journey, but we have managed to get through this time with your support and assistance in reaching out to all of our communities.

We kept our communities informed and aided them through this time of uncertainty. I would like to thank you for helping us to understand the community concerns and address them, provide the information in their own languages, and reassure them where they could find support.

Again, thank you for being part of the team of five million in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Government is removing the COVID-19 traffic light system

Last Monday, the Prime Minister announced that from 11:59pm on 12 September 2022, the COVID-19 Protection Framework (the ‘traffic lights’) will be removed. Our dedication, commitment and perseverance were finally rewarded!

The objective of New Zealand’s COVID-19 response since the start of the pandemic has been simple – to save lives and livelihoods. This remains the objective in the next phase of COVID-19 management.

Public health advice indicates that with cases reducing, a highly-vaccinated population, and access to antivirals, New Zealand can safely remove most extraordinary measures.

What's changing

Traffic lights: From 11:59pm on 12 September 2022 (last night), the COVID-19 Protection Framework was removed.

Masks: You are no longer required to wear masks.  This includes public transport and going into shops.   Face masks will only need to be worn when visiting certain healthcare facilities (hospitals, GPs, aged care and disability residential facilities, pharmacies). 

Isolation: Only people who test positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate for seven days.  Household contacts are only required to isolate if they test positive.

Vaccination: All remaining Government workforce vaccine mandates will end from 11:59pm, 26 September.

Vaccination requirements for all travellers arriving into New Zealand will end from 11:59 on 12 September.

Test: People arriving in New Zealand from overseas will be encouraged to test on day 0/1 and day 5/6 but are not required to test.

What measures are staying

The seven-day isolation period for people who test positive for COVID-19 stays in place.

Antiviral medications remain readily available for eligible people.

Follow-up PCR tests and genome sequencing of positive cases in travellers will be offered.

Face masks will be required when visiting most healthcare settings.

Rapid Antigen Tests and face masks will continue to be available for free.

Leave support payments will continue to be available for COVID-19 cases.

Where to find the updates in your language

Go to the covid19.govt.nz website. On the top right of the homepage (as per the below image), you'll find a "Languages" icon. Click on it and then choose the language you want to show the information with.

More information is available on these links:

Unite against COVID-19: www.Covid19.govt.nz

Ministry of Health (MoH): www.health.govt.nz/covid-19-novel-coronavirus

Karawhiua: www.karawhiua.nz

Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE): www.mbie.govt.nz/coronavirus-covid-19/

We are here to help

Our regional teams are here to help. If you have concerns, or need to get in touch with us, here is a list of our Regional Managers. We would be delighted to talk with you. 

Northern Region (upper North Island)
Nandita Mathur - 027 299 8031

Central (central and lower-North Island)
Kudakwashe Tuwe - 027 213 5972

Southern Region (South Island)
Candy Wu Zhang – 027 206 2189

If you prefer, you can reach us by email at info@ethniccommunities.govt.nz

Ngā mihi nui,

Mervin Singham
Chief Executive, Ministry for Ethnic Communities