The Ministry of Education has recently shared some further information following the announcement from Minister Hipkins that all children and young people will soon be able to participate in all school-organised teams and groups regardless of their vaccination status.

An amendment to the Health Order will now be needed and the Ministry of Education have advised schools that these changes will take effect on or around Tuesday 15 March.

This will apply to onsite and offsite activities for both curriculum-related (including offsite education outside the classroom) and extra-curricular activities offered by registered schools.

This change will apply to intra-school and inter-school competitions/activities as well as competitions/activities where school teams/groups compete against other teams/groups which are not from a school. 

We will advise you when these changes to the Health Order occur and will update our website information to reflect the above information and advice at that time.

For now, the existing requirements/permissions under the Health Order remain in place.

What will this mean for our students?

This change will mean that after that date, students who are in a school-organised team or group will not require a vaccine pass to participate. 

Activities held offsite will still be able to have up to 100 participants in any defined space when at Red, as long as spectators and adult participants (coaches, referees etc) are required to provide vaccine passes.

There is no change to the vaccine requirements for staff and volunteers supporting any school activity involving children and young people – they must be vaccinated and may be asked by venue staff to provide evidence of their vaccination.

We are pleased that this change will support all students to participate fully in school life, regardless of their vaccination status.

Vaccine passes where activities are not school based

The Ministry of Education have advised that unvaccinated students may continue to be prevented from participating in some activities if they are participating in a team or group not from their school.

For example, a student playing for a senior club hockey team will still need to provide a vaccine pass if the competition or venue requires evidence of vaccination from all participants.

School Sport New Zealand have also released an update about these changes. 

We will be sure to share further information as it becomes available.