Friday 17 December 2021

Kia ora ,

We are excited that you will be studying with us in 2022 and so this letter contains updated and important information about your enrolment at Unitec;

• under the COVID-19 Protection Framework (Traffic Light System), and
• on programmes which are subject to the mandatory vaccinations (in Healthcare and Education).

COVID-19 Protection Framework (CPF)

Under the CPF, we are using a ‘traffic light’ system with Red, Orange and Green levels. You can find more information on the framework here. 

Auckland is currently at Red, we move to Orange on 30 December at 11.59pm.  We do not know how long Auckland will remain at Orange.

What does the CPF mean for Unitec students?

Unitec requires all students coming on-site to hold a valid My Vaccine Pass.  As all our programmes are at least partially delivered on-site this means that in 2022, all students will need to provide their My Vaccine Pass in order to study on Unitec programmes*.

How do I provide My Vaccine Pass to Unitec?

New to study
You can load your Vaccine Confirmation in the Enrolment Portal as part of your application process.

Returning to study
You can provide a copy of your Vaccine Confirmation including My Vaccine Pass (the one with the QR code) directly to studentcentral@unitec.ac.nz .  Please put “My Vaccine Pass” and your student ID in the subject line of your email.  Unitec will verify your pass using the app provided by the Ministry of Health.

This should be done as soon as possible, and no later than one week before coming on to any campus for the first time.  You will not be able to arrive at campus and present your My Vaccine Pass for verification. 

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 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. They are mandatory in most campus spaces (such as cafeteria, libraries, foyers and most teaching 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

Student Central Staff will help you through the enrolment process, you can reach them on 0800 10 95 10  or email studentcentral@unitec.ac.nz

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 2021 Student Council President.

Lastly, thank you.  We really appreciate your ongoing efforts to keep our whānau and communities safe.

Ngā manaakitanga

* Learners may have the option of a fully-online offering for these programmes

• New Zealand Certificate in Business (Accounting Support Services) (Level 4)
• New Zealand Certificate in Business (Administration and Technology) (Level 4)
• Graduate Diploma in Construction Project Management