All staff and visitors to our buildings are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 under a policy that came into effect on 1 February 2022.

“Like many other councils and businesses, we have been assessing the risks associated with COVID-19 at our sites and for our people as they go about their work,” says the Canterbury Regional Council’s Chief Executive Stefanie Rixecker.

”We have taken into account the government guidance and regulations, along with our obligations as an employer under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and, based on this risk assessment, determined that all our staff, and people visiting our buildings, will need to be vaccinated.”

The policy also applies to our councillors.

How the policy was developed  

Dr Rixecker said a staff survey, discussions with unions and analysis of the approaches taken by other organisations informed the development of a draft policy which was then circulated to all staff for consultation.

“There was strong feedback that our people were looking for a robust policy that would provide protection and set clear expectations. Our vaccination policy is consistent with what other organisations are doing, aligns with the government’s guidance and our approach has the backing of unions.

“It will help keep our people, their whānau and the community safe and healthy,” Dr Rixecker said.

Vaccine Pass requirements 

From 1 February 2022 anyone visiting our buildings will need to provide a valid My Vaccine Pass.

Other requirements, such as signing in using the COVID-19 tracer app and wearing a mask in public spaces still apply. 

Customer services in the Red setting 

To maintain services and keep our people safe and separate while we are at the COVID-19 Protection Framework Red setting, we have made some changes to the way we work, including our people working from home.

All our operations are functioning, although we have reduced our reception hours at Tuam Street in Christchurch (now 9am – 4pm), and the Timaru office (now 10am – 3pm).

You can continue to contact our Customer Services team on 0800 324 636 (8am to 5pm) or via our contact us page.

Refer to our COVID-19 updates page for any changes.