73-683: The COVID-19 Protection Framework (known colloquially as the traffic light system ) was a system used by the New Zealand Government during the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand . The three-tier traffic light system used vaccination and community transmission rates to determine the level of restrictions needed. It came into effect at 11:59 pm on 2 December 2021, replacing the four-tier alert level system , which used lockdowns . On 12 September 2022, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that
146-711: A Cabinet meeting about whether any regions would move to a different setting under the "traffic light system." Mayor of Auckland Phil Goff and Auckland business leaders criticised the Government for not moving Auckland to "orange" earlier. University of Auckland epidemiologist Rod Jackson and the National Māori Pandemic Group co-leader Sue Crengle expressed concerns about lowering Auckland and other region's COVID-19 framework setting below red, while University of Otago epidemiologist Michael Baker argued that Auckland could move to setting orange, citing Auckland and
219-446: A general election . Not since 1928 has a government been defeated on a confidence vote and therefore been obliged to resign. The Constitution Act 1986 stipulates that general elections must be held at least every three years, making this the maximum period of time that a government can serve without seeking renewal of its mandate . Upon the dissolution of Parliament (preceding a general election) ministers are no longer members of
292-467: A portfolio of specific responsibilities such as departments or policy areas, although ministers without portfolio can be appointed. The position of prime minister belongs to the person who commands the confidence of the majority of members in the House of Representatives. The position is determined also by several other factors, such as support agreements between parties and internal leadership votes in
365-409: A corresponding public service department ( see § Departments ). The most important minister, following the prime minister, is the finance minister , while other high-profile portfolios include foreign affairs , justice , health and education . Traditionally, all members are collectively responsible for the actions taken by Cabinet—typically all Cabinet ministers must publicly support
438-484: A pass has expired, users will need to request another one to prove that their vaccinations are current. Under the Government's COVID-19 Protection Framework , the My Vaccine Pass is compulsory for entering a range of public settings including events, hospitality (cafes, restaurants and bars), close contact businesses such as hairdressers and beauticians, retailers, sporting events, and faith-based gatherings. However,
511-728: A separate " International Travel Vaccine Certificate ." People can request a travel vaccine certificate on the My COVID Record or via a phone call. The International Travel Vaccination Certificate complies with European Union Digital COVID Certificate standards and is valid for one year upon issue. Individuals who have been vaccinated overseas can apply to the Ministry of Health to have their overseas vaccination record added to New Zealand's COVID Immunisation Register (CIR) prior to applying for their My Vaccine Pass. The COVID Vaccination Technical Advisor Group recognises eight overseas vaccines for
584-526: A smartphone or computer access can also request a My Vaccine Pass by a phone call. A printed version of the Pass can also be obtained in person for free at pharmacies that provide COVID-19 vaccinations. The Ministry of Health contracted the tech company MATTR to develop New Zealand's domestic and international vaccine pass apps as well as the NZ Pass Verifier app. As part of the contract, MATTR has developed
657-533: A smartphone. In addition, many lacked a landline which he claimed was needed for ordering a postal version. In order to address the "digital divide" for individuals who have limited access to email or phone apps required to carry the pass, people can apply for vaccine passes at some pharmacies. On 17 December 2021, Stuff reported that some My Vaccine Pass users were having their vaccine passes stolen and sold on an online platform using cryptocurrencies such as Dogecoin . Stuff reported that this online platform had
730-620: Is a formal body that meets to give legal effect to decisions made by the Cabinet, and to carry out various other functions, such as the making of certain appointments to government agencies and boards. The Executive Council's primary function is to issue Orders in Council , which are legally binding regulations made by the Government. All ministers are members of the Executive Council, and are styled " The Honourable " while in office (or for life if
803-599: Is a reference to the monarch, King Charles III , who is the head of state under the Constitution Act 1986. The legal authority of the state that is vested in the monarch, known as " the Crown ", which is the source of the executive power exercised by the Government. Sovereignty in New Zealand has never rested solely with the monarch due to the English Bill of Rights 1689 , later inherited by New Zealand, which establishes
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#1732859060460876-434: Is an official record of one's COVID-19 vaccination status in New Zealand. Anyone above the age of 12 who has received two COVID-19 vaccines in New Zealand or who has been given a medical exemption can request a "My Vaccine Pass" via the "My COVID Record" website. The pass contains the individual's name, date of birth and a QR code. This pass can be saved on a digital device such as a phone and can also be printed. Those lacking
949-644: Is generally regarded as having been the country's first prime minister. The first ministry that formed along party lines did not appear until 1891, when John Ballance formed the Liberal Party and the Liberal Government . The prime minister became the leader and public face of the governing party. The status of the monarch's representative was upgraded from "governor" to " governor-general " in 1917 letters patent . In short, there have been three distinctly different periods of New Zealand government—firstly,
1022-430: Is said to serve " at His Majesty's pleasure ". As per the conventional stipulations of constitutional monarchy , the king and his representative rarely intervene directly in political affairs. Just as the sovereign's choice of governor-general is on the prime minister's advice, the governor-general exercises the executive powers of state on the advice of ministers. For example, the governor-general's power to withhold
1095-424: Is selected on the advice of the prime minister. " Advice " in this sense is a choice without options since it would be highly unconventional for the prime minister's advice to be ignored—a convention that protects the monarchy. As long as the monarch is following the advice of his ministers, he is not held personally responsible for the decisions of the Government. The governor-general has no official term limit , and
1168-676: The Otago Daily Times reported that the Government was considering removing most facemask requirements except high risk health settings as part of a review of New Zealand's "traffic light" settings. The newspaper also reported that the Government had failed to adequately consult disability support organisations, who only received a request for feedback on the proposal from the Ministry for Disabled People on 1 September. Disabled Persons Assembly NZ chief executive Prudence Walker and CCS Disability Action chief executive Melissa Smith expressed concern that they had only been given 24 hours to respond to
1241-609: The Epidemic Preparedness (Covid-19) Notice 2020 , the main legal instrument under which the Covid-19 orders are issued, is due to expire if Cabinet decides not to renew it. On 12 September, Ardern announced that the traffic light system would be dropped at 11:59 pm that night. As a result, most COVID-19 rules and restrictions would be eliminated: On 12 September, national carrier Air New Zealand announced that it would be dropping its facemask requirement from 11:59pm in response to
1314-519: The Executive Council and accountable to the elected legislature , the House of Representatives. Several senior ministers (usually 20) constitute a collective decision-making body known as the Cabinet , which is led by the prime minister (currently Christopher Luxon ). A few more ministers (usually junior or supporting) are part of the Executive Council but are outside Cabinet. Most ministers have
1387-755: The Invercargill City Council , the Southland District Council , Gore District Council , and the Waitaki District Councils have stated they would allow people to access their facilities without requiring vaccine passes. On 7 December 2021, the Invercargill City Council voted to introduce vaccine pass requirements for certain council facilities including libraries, swimming pools, He Waka Tuia Museum , and city council chambers. On 21 December 2021, Hipkins announced that
1460-483: The Ministry of Health had proposed that the Auckland border should be lifted in tandem with the country's transition into the traffic light system on 3 December. However, Prime Minister Ardern and COVID-19 Response Minister Hipkins had opted to retain the Auckland border until 15 December to minimise community transmissions and boost regional vaccination rates. In response, National Party leader Christopher Luxon called for
1533-482: The central government deals with issues relevant to New Zealand and its people as a nation, local government exists "to enable democratic local decision-making and action by, and on behalf of, communities", and "to meet the current and future needs of communities for good-quality local infrastructure, local public services, and performance of regulatory functions in a way that is most cost-effective for households and businesses." My Vaccine Pass My Vaccine Pass
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#17328590604601606-467: The " Beehive " because of the building's shape, houses many government offices and is also where the Cabinet meets. Thus the name Beehive is sometimes used metonymically to refer to the New Zealand Government. The official website of the New Zealand Government uses the web address beehive.govt.nz . The first New Zealand Constitution Act was passed in 1846, though Governor George Grey
1679-545: The "traffic light system." As part of the new policy, people would no longer have to be vaccinated in order to enter venues covered by the vaccine pass. Ardern indicated that the Government could also update vaccine passes in May or June 2022 to require three doses of the vaccine for those workplaces still requiring them. Māori academic Dr Karaitiana Taiuru expressed concern that the My Vaccine Pass would be inaccessible to rural and elderly Māori communities that lacked Internet access or
1752-486: The Abolition of Provinces Act 1876, during the premiership of Harry Atkinson . For the purposes of the law, the provinces formally ceased to exist on 1 January 1877. The Sewell Ministry constituted the first responsible government , with control over all domestic matters other than native policy. Formed in 1856, it lasted from 18 April to 20 May. From 7 May onward, Henry Sewell was titled " colonial secretary ", and
1825-427: The Cabinet as a legal entity; it exists solely by constitutional convention. Its decisions do not in and of themselves have legal force; however, it serves as the practical expression of the Executive Council, which is New Zealand's highest formal governmental body. The prime minister is responsible for chairing meetings of Cabinet. The governor-general will appoint as prime minister the person most likely to receive
1898-423: The Cabinet had decided that the "traffic light system" would be used to manage outbreaks. In the event of Omicron community outbreaks, affected areas would move into the red traffic light setting. On 17 January 2022, Prime Minister Ardern announced that New Zealand would move to a red traffic light setting if Omicron was spreading in the community. On 20 January 2022, Ardern announced that Northland would move to
1971-433: The Cabinet that outlines the Government's policy and legislative proposals. A few other ministers serve in the Executive Council but outside of Cabinet. Since the introduction of MMP, governments have been formed following agreements between a major party and smaller support parties. In such arrangements, government ministers from the support parties are often ministers outside Cabinet. Non-Cabinet ministers may also be from
2044-670: The Government should not rule out Alert Level 4 "circuit breakers" to combat outbreaks and the lower Māori vaccination rate. The COVID-19 Response (Vaccinations) Legislation Act 2021 provided the legal framework for the COVID-19 Protection Framework, including vaccination and the My Vaccine Pass vaccine certificates. The law was passed on 23 November 2021, despite opposition from the Human Rights Commission , National , Act , and Māori parties, which objected to
2117-512: The Government was considering abandoning the "traffic light system" when it reviewed New Zealand's COVID-19 settings that month. On 8 September 2022, The New Zealand Herald reported that the Government would make a decision on 12 September about a proposal to scrap the entire "traffic light system" rather than tweak the settings or move to "Green." If the proposal goes ahead, the "traffic light system" and other COVID-19 protection orders including mask mandates could be scrapped on 14 September when
2190-521: The Government's announcement on 23 March 2022 that it would ease the "red setting" restrictions, the opposition National Party COVID-19 spokesperson Chris Bishop welcomed the elimination of the vaccine pass system while calling for the abolition of the "traffic light" system. By contrast, the Green Party 's spokesperson Teanau Tuiono claimed that the easing of vaccine mandate requirements would have an impact on vulnerable segments including children under
2263-433: The Government's decision to end the "traffic light system." While Disabled Persons Assembly CEO Walker expressed concerns that the scrapping of mask mandates would discouraged disabled and vulnerable people from going out due to the fear of catching COVID-19, Business South chief executive Mike Collins opined that the ending of COVID-19 regulations showed that the virus could be managed in the community and that it would benefit
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2336-431: The Government's proposal. By contrast, Retail NZ chief executive Greg Harford called for the Government to drop facemask requirements, citing a Retail NZ survey which found that two thirds of customers were ignoring the masking requirement. On 6 September 2022, epidemiologist Michael Baker advocated abandoning the "traffic light system" in favour of a "more straightforward system." Baker's remarks accompanied reports that
2409-466: The House of Representatives, with a sufficient number of MPs to win crucial parliamentary votes, will form a Cabinet —this is the sense intended when it is said that a political party "forms the government". The Constitution Act 1986 , the principal part of New Zealand's constitution, locates the executive government in the Executive Council , which also includes ministers outside Cabinet. The Executive Wing of Parliament Buildings , commonly called
2482-431: The House of Representatives; however, they can remain members of the Executive Council "until the expiration of the 28th day after the day on which that person ceases to be a member of Parliament". Also known as " ministers of the Crown ", these are members of Parliament who hold ministerial warrants from the Crown to perform certain functions of government. This includes formulating and implementing policies and advising
2555-424: The House. The Government is required by convention and for practical reasons to maintain the support, or confidence, of the House of Representatives. It also requires the support of the House for the maintenance of supply (by voting through the government's budgets ) and in order to pass primary legislation . By convention, if a government loses the confidence of the House then it must either resign or call for
2628-457: The My Vaccine Pass has been downloaded, an Internet connection is not required to operate it. However, the app's device should be regularly connected to the Internet to remain up to date. The My Vaccine Pass is valid for six months from the date of issue since booster shots may be required and because medical exemptions are only valid for six months. If vaccination passes are still required after
2701-543: The My Vaccine Pass; namely the Pfizer–BioNTech , Janssen , Oxford–AstraZeneca (including Covishield ), Moderna and Sinopharm BIBP vaccines and CoronaVac and Covaxin . The New Zealand Government rolled out the "My Vaccine Pass" on 17 November 2021 as part of its preparation to move New Zealand into the COVID-19 Protection Framework ("traffic light system"). The launch of the My Vaccine Pass
2774-507: The NZ COVID Pass specification, which uses Elliptic-curve cryptography and Concise Binary Object Representation to encode person's credentials in a QR code and assert that the person is considered vaccinated. The specification allows for a creation of third-party verifier apps, which can use Decentralized identifier document that Ministry of Health publishes to verify pass signatures. On 23 November 2021, Hipkins confirmed that once
2847-541: The Parliament in order to call an election , and extends to foreign affairs: the negotiation and ratification of treaties, alliances, international agreements, the right to declare war and peace , and the deployment and armament of defence forces. The king rarely personally exercises his executive powers; since the sovereign does not normally reside in New Zealand, he appoints a governor-general to represent him and exercise most of his powers. The person who fills this role
2920-574: The Royal Assent to bills of parliament has been rendered ineffective by the convention. Under the conventions of the Westminster system , the Government is accountable to the House of Representatives, the democratically elected component of Parliament , rather than to the sovereign. This is called responsible government . For example, ministers are required to be members of the House, and they make statements and take questions from other members in
2993-585: The actions of their department, being answerable to the House of Representatives. This principle is called individual ministerial responsibility . The wider state sector also includes about 2,800 Crown entities (including some 2,600 school boards of trustees), 17 state-owned enterprises , three officers of Parliament, and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand . There are two main tiers of elected local authorities— regional councils and territorial authorities —in some places merged into unitary authorities . While
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3066-472: The age of five years old, Māori , Pasifika , immunocompromised people, and disabled people. On 13 April, Hipkins announced that New Zealand would shift from the red to orange setting at 11:59 pm that night. As a result, indoor and outdoor capacity limits for public gatherings were eliminated. While facemasks will still be required at certain gatherings, events, and "close proximity" businesses, they will no longer be compulsory for schools. On 3 September 2022,
3139-427: The confidence of the House of Representatives to lead the Government. In practice, the appointment is determined by size of each political party , support agreements between parties, and leadership votes in the party that leads the Government. The prime minister then advises the governor-general to appoint other ministers. Each minister is responsible for the general administration of at least one portfolio , and heads
3212-544: The country's downward trend in case numbers over the past seven days. In response to the traffic light system's vaccine pass requirements, several local councils including the Dunedin City Council , Timaru District Council , Auckland Council , and Wellington City Council introduced policies in early December 2021 requiring people to show vaccine passes in order to access council facilities including pools, libraries, venues, and offices. Other local councils including
3285-417: The decisions of Cabinet. However, since the introduction of the mixed-member proportional (MMP) electoral system in 1993, processes were developed to allow different parties within a coalition cabinet to " agree to disagree " on some issues. The legislative agenda of Parliament is determined by the Cabinet. At the start of each new parliamentary term, the governor-general gives an address prepared by
3358-477: The first schedule to the State Sector Act 1988 . Staffed by around 45,000 public servants, they provide the government of the day with advice and deliver services to the public. Since the 1980s, the public service has been marketised . Each department is headed by a chief executive who answers to a government minister for that department's performance. In turn, a minister bears the ultimate responsibility for
3431-410: The following week for businesses and event holders. By 3 December 2021, almost 70% of the 3.6 million fully vaccinated population in New Zealand (roughly 2.4 million) had downloaded their official vaccine passes. On 23 March 2022, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that the Government would eliminate My Vaccine Pass requirements from 11:59 pm on 4 April 2022 as part of a series of changes to
3504-461: The governor-general. Before 1996 nearly all ministers were members of the Cabinet, but since the introduction of proportional representation , which has led to complex governing arrangements, there are currently three categories of minister: ministers in Cabinet, ministers outside Cabinet, and ministers from supporting parties. The Executive Council, established under the Letters Patent 1983 ,
3577-410: The lifting of Auckland's boundary restrictions. On 13 December, Ardern announced that Auckland and all other "red" regions excluding Northland would move to COVID-19 framework setting orange at 11.59pm on 30 December. Regions moving into "orange" include Taupō , Rotorua , Kawerau , Whakatāne , Ōpōtiki , Gisborne , Wairoa , Rangitikei , Whanganui and Ruapehu . This announcement came following
3650-756: The major governing party, as has been the case in recent governments. Ministers outside the Cabinet have the same overall duties and responsibilities as their senior colleagues inside Cabinet. The current ministry , since November 2023, is the National Party government led by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon , forming a coalition with ACT New Zealand and New Zealand First . The table below lists all ministers, as of 25 June 2024 . Notes New Zealand's public service includes 32 core government institutions—most have ministry or department in their name, e.g. Ministry for Culture and Heritage , or Department of Internal Affairs —which are listed in
3723-491: The milestone of 90% of the eligible population being fully vaccinated and will occur in the Auckland Region once its three DHBs achieve 90%. On 8 November, Ardern stated that cabinet expects to move Auckland into the traffic light system from 29 November 2021. On 22 November, Ardern stated that the 90% target would not have to be met for New Zealand to move to the traffic light system, confirming that New Zealand would enter
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#17328590604603796-706: The new system on 3 December, replacing the previous alert level system. Auckland and areas with low vaccination start on the Red setting while the rest of the country starts on the Orange setting. The Government's abandonment of the COVID-19 elimination strategy was criticised by immunologist and health adviser Siouxsie Wiles , who argued that this policy shift would put the unvaccinated and vulnerable at risk. Similar sentiments were echoed by physicist and health adviser Shaun Hendy and Māori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi , who suggested that
3869-569: The orange traffic light setting at 11:59 pm that night due to a surge of vaccination rates in the region. On 23 January 2022, the Government moved New Zealand into the red traffic light setting in response to recent community transmissions of the Omicron variant in the Nelson – Marlborough Region . On 23 March, Ardern announced that the New Zealand Government would ease several of the COVID-19 Protection Framework's "red setting" restrictions including: Under
3942-515: The party that leads the Government. The prime minister and other ministers are formally appointed by the governor-general (who is the King's personal representative in New Zealand). By convention, the governor-general acts on the advice of the prime minister in appointing ministers. In New Zealand, the term Government can have a number of different meanings. At its widest, it can refer collectively to
4015-461: The period before responsible government; second, from 1856 to 1890, the period in which responsible government begins; and the third period starting with the formation of political parties in 1891. By convention, a distinct government is named after the largest party that leads it. The New Zealand Government is formally styled [His] Majesty's Government in the Seal of New Zealand Act 1977 . This
4088-405: The prime minister recommends it), except for the prime minister, who is entitled to be styled " The Right Honourable " for life. Although not a member of the Executive Council, the governor-general usually presides at Council meetings. Cabinet ( Māori : Te Rūnanga ) is the senior decision-making body of the Government. Constitutional law, such as the Constitution Act 1986, does not recognise
4161-506: The principle of parliamentary sovereignty . Nonetheless, the Constitution Act describes the monarch as the " Sovereign ". In many areas, the Crown possesses a body of powers known as the royal prerogative . For example, the Royal Assent (the monarch's approval) is required to enact laws and the royal sign-manual gives authority to letters patent and orders in council . The royal prerogative also includes summoning and dissolving
4234-451: The principle of responsible government , it operates within the framework that "the [ King ] reigns, but the government rules, so long as it has the support of the House of Representatives ". The Cabinet Manual describes the main laws, rules and conventions affecting the conduct and operation of the Government. Executive power is exercised by ministers , all of whom are sworn into
4307-594: The rapid passage of the legislation and expressed concerns about its implications for human rights and Māori wellbeing and safety. Border restrictions in Auckland remained in place until 15 December 2021. Under the traffic light system, fully vaccinated people were allowed to travel across the Auckland border freely. Unvaccinated people would only be able to leave Auckland if they receive a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to departure. However, there would be no similar restrictions on unvaccinated people entering Auckland. On 8 December, The New Zealand Herald reported that
4380-508: The retail and tourism sectors. Immunologist Wiles described the Government's decision to drop the "traffic light system" as a "big, long term expensive, mistake." She argued that New Zealand needed to retain the COVID-19 Protection Framework to protect the country from newer COVID-19 strains that were immune to existing vaccines and treatments, new infection waves, and the problem of " Long COVID " among vulnerable patients. Wiles also argued that facemasks and RAT tests were useful tools for curbing
4453-529: The revised "orange" settings of the Framework, facemasks would be required in many indoor settings and there would be no outdoor and indoor capacity limits. Under the revised "green" settings of the Framework, facemasks would be encouraged for indoor settings with no limits on outdoor and indoor capacity limits. Under all three "traffic light" settings, COVID-19 positive individuals and close household contacts would be required to isolate for seven days. In response to
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#17328590604604526-732: The signing of the Treaty of Waitangi was the Charter for Erecting the Colony of New Zealand of 1840. New Zealand was granted colonial self-government in 1853 following the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 , which was an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom . Governments were set up at both central and provincial level, with initially six provinces. The provinces were abolished by
4599-473: The spread of COVID-19. New Zealand Government The New Zealand Government ( Māori : Te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa ) is the central government through which political authority is exercised in New Zealand . As in most other parliamentary democracies , the term "Government" refers chiefly to the executive branch , and more specifically to the collective ministry directing the executive. Based on
4672-564: The three traditional branches of government—namely, the executive branch , legislative branch (the King-in-Parliament and House of Representatives ) and judicial branch (the Supreme Court and subordinate courts). Each branch operates independently of the others in an arrangement described as " separation of powers ". More commonly, the term is used to refer specifically to the executive branch. The largest party or coalition in
4745-1092: The traffic light system would be dropped at 11:59 pm that night. The traffic light system used three colour-coded levels based on a traffic light : Red when the health care system is at risk of being overloaded, Orange when there is pressure on the health care system, and Green when hospitalisation levels are manageable. The Green level was never used. COVID-19 is present across New Zealand, but with limited community transmission, sporadic imported cases, manageable hospitalisation levels. The health system will be ready to respond, including primary care, public health, and hospitals. Increasing community transmission with increasing pressure on health system. The whole of health system will focus its resources, but can continue to manage primary care, public health, and hospitals. Increasing risk to at-risk populations. Action needed to protect both at-risk people and health system from unsustainable number of hospitalisations. For places with vaccine certificate requirements : For places without vaccine certificate requirements : The My Vaccine Pass
4818-542: The vaccine certificates. Other international students also questioned health authorities' decision to only recognise eight vaccine types. On 19 November 2021, seven businesses including gym chain Les Mills International announced that they would be trialling the new vaccine passes using the NZ Pass Verifier , which had been made available to them early. The Government plans to launch the NZ Pass Verifier app
4891-527: The vaccine pass is not needed to access essential services such as supermarkets, pharmacies, health and disability services, food banks, petrol stations, public transportation, schools, housing and housing support services. Children under the age of 12 do not need to show proof of vaccination status. Certain businesses and event managers are required to check customers' My Vaccine Pass with the NZ Pass Verifier app. My Vaccine Pass cannot be used for international travel. People travelling overseas have to apply for
4964-425: Was a vaccine certificate issued by the New Zealand Government that served as an official record of one's COVID-19 vaccination status during the COVID-19 pandemic . The vaccine pass was required to enter hospitality venues, community, sport and faith-based gatherings, as a result of the COVID-19 Protection Framework having come into effect on 3 December 2021. The passes expired on 1 June 2022. My Vaccine Pass
5037-469: Was announced in October 2021. They are used as a proof of vaccination status , and a condition of entry for restaurants, bars, and other places. After 3 December 2021, while in Red, non-essential businesses are required to use vaccine passes for a condition of entry, and must verify a reasonable amount of them. It is common for some businesses to not verify passes at all. The previously used alert level system
5110-514: Was complicated by the "My COVID Record" website's cyber defence systems mistaking the large number of visitor requests for distributed denial of service (DDOS) attacks. As a result, customers initially faced delays in obtaining their vaccine certificates. In addition, New Zealand International Students Association national president Afiqah Ramizi expressed concerns that My Vaccine Pass system only accepted New Zealand and Australian identity documents, making it hard for foreign passport holders to obtain
5183-404: Was introduced on 21 March 2020 by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern . It used four tiers or levels, with levels 3 and 4 being forms of lockdown. In level 1 there are no restrictions; in level 2 there are limits on gatherings; in level 3 only purposeful travel is allowed alongside strict limits on gatherings; and in level 4 only essential travel is allowed and gatherings are banned. The aim of the system
5256-456: Was opposed to its implementation, specifically the proposed division of the country into European and Māori districts, and stated that settlers were not ready for self-government. As a result, almost all of the Act was suspended pending the new Act of 1852. New Zealand was at this time being governed as a Crown colony . Prior to the act, the basic document setting out the governance of New Zealand since
5329-403: Was to eliminate COVID-19 entirely from the community, and the purpose of vaccinations was to help stop COVID-19 and not to slow it down. On 15 October 2021, Ardern announced that the alert level system would soon be dropped in favour of a "traffic light" system, officially called the COVID-19 Protection Framework. She initially stated that the system would be adopted nationwide once all DHBs reach
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