Covid 19 Delta outbreak: Bay of Plenty's lagging jab rate a concern under new traffic light system

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces the government's traffic light system. Photo / Marty Melville

Things could "get ugly" if the Bay can't rapidly lift its lagging vaccination rates to take advantage of freedoms offered under a new traffic light system for managing Covid-19 outbreaks, a business leader says.

The Bay of Plenty District Health Board area has one of the lowest full vaccination rates in New Zealand, but the DHB says it is committed to doing whatever it takes to boost jab numbers.

Some business owners are relieved a plan is in place to open up the country but an iwi leader is worried the 90 per cent population target does not take Māori into account.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern yesterday announced the country would move into the traffic light system when each district health board has 90 per cent of its eligible population with both doses of the vaccine.

In the Bay of Plenty area, 61 per cent of eligible people have received both jabs and about 81 per cent have had their first dose.

This was higher than only the Lakes, Taranaki and Tairāwhiti DHB areas on 60 per cent double dosed.

The Bay had an eligible population of 216,941 with 85,584 not yet fully vaccinated.

Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Matt Cowley liked the "simpler approach" of the new system and called it the "right move".

But he raised concerns around it only coming into effect when vaccination targets were met for DHBs.

"It could get ugly if Tauranga is stuck in the old lockdown framework when Delta arrives here because our region cannot meet the 90 per cent vaccination level. People are already emotionally exhausted after 18-months of Covid-related issues and restrictions."

Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Matt Cowley. Photo / NZME

He described the approach to vaccine certificates as "fair and reasonable" but said it would impact small businesses who would now need to pay someone to police customers entering the premises.

"It's a significant extra cost, especially if you have two entrances. You wouldn't want to put someone too young and inexperienced who has to deal with any disgruntled unvaccinated people."

Tauranga City Council commission chairwoman Anne Tolley said she was "extremely concerned" the region continued to "lag so far behind" in vaccine rates.

She hoped the new framework and that higher vaccination rates would mean "a lot more freedoms" would help increase uptake.

Tauranga City Council commission chairwoman Anne Tolley. Photo / NZME

While the system was "a bit complex" and placed "a lot" of responsibility on employers, Tolley said at face value it was about getting back to "business as usual in a Covid environment".

Priority One chief executive Nigel Tutt said while the system made "some sense" businesses would want "much more clarity" and boosting jab rates needed to take priority.

"Getting vaccination rates up to 90 per cent is where the focus needs to lie."

Tourism Bay of Plenty chief executive Oscar Nathan said the region had "quite a way to go" to try to meet the Government's new target.

"Collectively we must now strive for the high vaccination target that's been set. Our sector relies on open borders, both domestically and internationally, so this is the only way forward."

"Our operators are resilient and innovative, but there are only so many lockdowns and restrictions any business, no matter how successful, can sustain."

Nathan said there was a chance of "building on domestic travel" if vaccine uptake increased.

The Rising Tide and Our Place Tauranga area manager Lisa Rooney said there was "relief among staff" who had previously felt "incredibly anxious" about working in hospitality with Covid-19 spread.

After speaking with the business owners, she was confident they would opt to use vaccine certificates when the new system was implemented in the Bay.

"Staff feel less anxious about it and we do support it. We want to keep customers and staff safe."

Waimarino Adventure Park owner Blair Anderson. Photo / Supplied

Waimarino Adventure Park owner Blair Anderson had many questions as to how the system would roll out and was waiting for further guidance to be made available in the coming days.

His initial reaction was "mixed" but said the move was "a start" as it would help open up the country.

"I think it is positive but I would love to see how a business implements this guidance."

"Have we been waiting for something like this? Yes."

One Love festival director Glenn Meikle, of Reggae Love Ltd, felt positive following the Government's announcement.

He said they were in the process of working through information and putting a plan in place.

"It's great that we know where we are at now. And now we can try and meet these targets so we can get on with summer."

"We are now looking at what we need to do to make One Love happen."

Ngāi te Rangi chairman Charlie Tawhiao believed it was a "highly vaccination dependent system".

"It is more carrot than stick. And the carrot is there to encourage more vaccination."

But Tawhiao said he was concerned that the 90 per cent target did not take vaccination uptake of Māori communities into account.

"A blanket vaccination rate is not going to guarantee that Māori are in as safer a position than the population as a whole."

Ngāi te Rangi chairman Charlie Tawhiao. Photo / NZME

And like many other iwi leaders across Aotearoa he said his "sole focus" was on protecting Māori in the Covid-19 response.

"Whatever system the Government puts in place, it cannot be at the cost of Māori lives."

He said there was a "natural, understandable" resistance from some Māori surrounding vaccination.

"That has a lot to do with our history and trauma. People are naturally wary of a system that colonised them."

It was important to engage constructively with those on the fence about vaccination, rather than pointing fingers or ostracising individuals, he said.

Bay of Plenty DHB Covid programme operations manager Brent Gilbert de Rios said it was "focussed on" providing vaccination opportunities in the lead up to Christmas - particularly to those in rural areas.

He said most areas with lower vaccination rates were rural with smaller populations where access had been a barrier.

"Convenience and easy access is key – which is why we are committing to do whatever it takes to bring people options and opportunities."

While they had been "really pleased" with support from the business community, de Rios said "it is going to be even more important now that we work closely together to increase uptake".

The Ministry of Health was approached for comment.