Friday 28 January 2022

Kia ora   

Recently, Aotearoa moved back to the Red setting of the ‘Traffic Light System’ after Omicron was detected in the community.

Overseas, the common experience with Omicron has been that it causes less severe illness although it is a more highly transmissible variant of Covid-19. Experts here are predicting a significant rise in the number of cases in coming months.

This situation is still developing and to support the wellbeing of students, staff, whānau and our communities; where possible, Unitec will be delivering a portion of your courses online.  hands-on, practical learning will continue where required under the requirements of CPF guidance. Your lecturer will contact you to explain what is happening with your courses.

Unitec is still open at this setting. However, it is important only those who really need be on campus for learning and study come on site at this time.

If you are coming to Unitec, you’ll need to follow the rules of the Red setting. These include:

• VACCINATION: All staff and students who enter our campuses must be vaccinated and have provided proof of this to Unitec. If you have not done already, please attach and send your My Vaccine Pass to Student Central.  Your Subject Line should read: My Vaccine Pass and your Student ID Number.
• MASKS: Staff and students should bring face coverings or masks when attending on-site activities. They are mandatory at all times, both inside and outside the classroom. 
• CONTACT TRACING: The NZ COVID Tracer app or manual sign in is mandatory on campus. 
• HEALTH AND SAFETY: Your health, safety and wellbeing is of the upmost importance to us.  Please ensure that you continue to wash and sanitise your hands and most importantly if you are unwell stay home.

We understand this may be a worrying time for some students. If you have any questions or need to talk to someone, please reach out to your lecturer, or a Student Support advisor by calling 0800 10 75 10 or email studentsupport@unitec.ac.nz

International Students requiring assistance can also call 0800 10 75 10 or email internationalsupport@unitec.ac.nz.

I will be updating you regularly on our response to Omicron and what it means for your studies with us.

Please have a safe and relaxing long weekend.

Ngā mihi,

Gus Gilmore
Chief Executive for Unitec and MIT

My Vaccine Pass

If you have not already, please request your My Vaccine Pass here.  If you have been vaccinated overseas with an approved vaccine, have received two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine in New Zealand, or if you hold a medical exemption, you can still request the My Vaccine Pass.

Verifying your My Vaccine Pass

It is important to have your My Vaccine Pass on you at all times and every time you come onto campus.  Unitec Staff may request to sight your My Vaccine Pass before your class.

Please attach and send your My Vaccine Pass using the link below.

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).  

Unvaccinated or don't have proof yet?

If you are unvaccinated or unable to prove your vaccination status, you are not permitted to come onto campus for your class and you will be asked to leave.

Importantly, this may also impact on your studies.  You can speak through what this may mean for you with your lecturer or contact Student Central.

Further Support

If you have any questions or need any advice or support, please feel free to reach out to your lecturer.  Alternatively you can contact Student Support on 0800 10 75 10.