Monday 24 January 2022

Kia ora ,

At 11am yesterday, the Prime Minister announced all of New Zealand will move to the Covid-19 Protection Framework (CPF) Red level setting from 11.59pm, Sunday 23 January.

Unitec campuses are closed Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 January, other than for a small number of approved staff and students. If you had classes scheduled on these days, please check your email or Moodle for any updates from your lecturer on how your classes will be delivered.

What does Red level mean for Unitec students?

This is a reminder for all Unitec students who will be on campus for on-site learning that you will need to have received at least two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine and provide your valid My Vaccine Pass.

How do I provide My Vaccine Pass to Unitec?

If you have not already, you can provide a copy of your Vaccine Confirmation directly to studentcentral@unitec.ac.nz .  Please put “My Vaccine Pass” and your student ID in the subject line of your email then include your My Vaccine Pass (the one with the QR code) .  Unitec will verify your pass using the app provided by the Ministry of Health.

Please note that to come onto campus without having followed this process may be considered a breach of Unitec’s regulations.  This is for everyone’s health and safety.  

Unitec will not store your My Vaccine Pass itself.  Once it has been verified, Unitec will retain only a record that it has been verified and its date of expiration, in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020 and Unitec’s Privacy Policy.  After this process has been completed you will not have to show your My Vaccine Pass every time you come onto campus (although we recommend that you keep it with you whenever possible).  

How do I get My Vaccine Pass?

The Ministry of Health issues the My Vaccine Pass.  You can request yours here.  If you are having difficulties obtaining your My Vaccine Pass online, you can also get a printed copy from any pharmacy that offers COVID vaccinations.

You can also read information about the safety and effectiveness of vaccination here and find out where you can be vaccinated here.

What if I don’t have My Vaccine Pass?

We understand that not everyone chooses to be vaccinated, however if you are unable to provide your My Vaccine Pass you will not be permitted to come onto Unitec Campuses.

We are exploring criteria and a process for managing exemptions to our policy.  That information will be available by the end of January.

Other aspects of Unitec’s COVID response

In addition to the requirement of a My Vaccine Pass, there are other requirements for being on campus at Unitec.  These include but are not limited to:

• Masks: staff and students should bring face coverings or masks when attending on-site activities. Masks are mandatory in all campus spaces.
• Contact Tracing:  the NZ COVID Tracer app or manual sign-in is mandatory on campus.

Enrolment into programmes which require mandatory vaccinations

Unitec teaches several programmes of study which require learners to be vaccinated.

These settings are as a result of an industry or government decision.  Currently, these are in Healthcare and Education.

You will be advised when you come to enrol whether your programme of study is one which requires you to be vaccinated.  If you are, then you will need to provide both your My Vaccine Pass and evidence of the dates and type of the Covid-19 vaccine that you have received.

Support for students

You can still access Student Support services remotely by calling 0800 10 95 10 or email unitecstudents@unitec.ac.nz.  If you need to complete your enrolment for 2022, please reach out to Student Central studentcentral@unitec.ac.nz who can help you through the process.

We take our role as kaitiaki (guardians) seriously in order to ensure all our communities are kept safe.  At all times, Unitec has been looking after the interests, health and wellbeing of our students and staff community.  Our COVID-19 Policy is being developed in full consultation with the Unitec Student Council President.

If you are feeling unsure or anxious, please reach out to our Student services team on 0800 10 95 10.

Nga mihi

Unitec Students