The Department of Internal Affairs

Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs

Building a safe, prosperous and respected nation



 

Update – Monday 22 February 2021

Local Government Response Unit main page

Here’s today’s update

Today the Prime Minister announced that Auckland will join the rest of the country at Alert Level One at midnight tonight.

Face coverings will continue to be mandatory on public transport across the country at Alert Level One. The order will be kept under review as vaccines are being rolled out.

The Response Unit remains on hand to support you. You can send enquiries to your usual Taituarā, LGNZ, DIA contacts or this inbox: LGCGcovid19response@dia.govt.nz

The Epidemic Notice remains in force

On 23 December 2020, the Prime Minister renewed the Epidemic Notice, extending the Epidemic Preparedness (COVID-19) Notice 2020 (the Principal Notice) for a further three months.

As we have noted in previous updates to you, a number of amendments relevant to local government remain in force while the Principal Notice is in force.

Provisions relevant to local government that are tied to the Epidemic Notice

The following provisions will remain in place until the Principal Notice expires or is revoked:

  • the amendments to enable council meetings via audio or visual link to meet quorum requirements regardless of Council Standing Orders;
  • the provisions enabling council meetings to be open to the public through online access and to post meeting agendas, reports and minutes on council websites rather than physical locations;
  • new members of Council can continue to make their statutory declaration (oath of office) via audio or audio-visual link;
  • rates rebate applicants can complete the statutory declaration requirement via audio or visual link; and
  • the Order-in-Council mechanism for making further changes to by-election timing and provisions enabling local authority chief executives to delay the commencement of by-election timeframes. 

Provisions relevant to local government not tied to the Epidemic Notice

The provisions providing extensions for bylaws that would otherwise be revoked by section 160A of the Local Government Act 2002 to continue in force until 30 June 2021 – remains in force until 1 July 2021.

Keeping communities safe

Following the Four Golden Rules:

Wash your hands

Scan QR codes

Turn on Bluetooth tracing on the NZ COVID Tracer app

Stay home if you’re feeling unwell and get advice about a COVID-19 test.

Keeping track of where you have been

To stop any future spread of COVID-19, we all need to do the 3 Ws:

Where we have been

When we were there

Who we met

Using the NZ COVID Tracer app with Bluetooth turned on is one way to do this

The NZ COVID Tracer booklet is another way and they are FREE and available in multiple languages

For quick and easy online ordering of Tracer booklets go to: https://portal.bluestar.co.nz/WebForm/DPMC_PUB?form=Unite%20Against