Napier Port takes hardline stance for all workers, visitors to be vaccinated

Napier Port CEO Todd Dawson has announced a hard-line stance for vaccinations. Photo / Supplied

Napier Port has taken Covid matters into its own hands and announced a controversial move to make vaccinations mandatory for all workers and visitors at the port.

It is understood to be the first port in New Zealand to take such a stance.

Earlier this year, the Government made it mandatory for frontline port workers who work closely with international ships to get the Covid jab.

However, following consultation with private companies and its own employees, Napier Port has now announced its own mandate that all workers and visitors to the port must be vaccinated.

A deadline for people to get the jab has yet to be set down but the port wants to see "this requirement fully in place" by December 31.

It is understood more than 500 people work at the busy port in different capacities, both for private companies and the port itself.

The port confirmed there was no firm decision around what would happen to workers who did not abide by the new rule, and that would be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

A Rail and Maritime Transport Union Hawke's Bay branch spokesman confirmed the announcement had "impacted some of the employees" and was not entirely well-received.

The spokesman did not want to comment any further.

A ship docked at Napier Port. Photo / Warren Buckland

Napier Port chief executive Todd Dawson said the decision was firstly about safety.

"We did this to protect our people and to play our part in protecting the community by raising vaccination rates," he said.

"Our commitment to discharging our health and safety obligations will see us doing everything practicable to keep people safe."

He said it was also about helping reach 90 per cent vaccination targets set by the Government.

"To maximise economic recovery in a post-lockdown New Zealand, we have to enable businesses to be viable and sustainable," he said.

"Realising the national vaccination target of 90 per cent and over will require not only individuals choosing to become vaccinated but supporting businesses to implement mandatory vaccination policies in a legitimate and effective way."

Dawson said the feedback during consultation was mainly positive "and a small number have expressed concerns related to potential impacts on their operations".

He said it had been a huge task getting to this point.

"Even for a well-equipped business like ours, at times over the past six weeks introducing this policy has been all-consuming, with its own challenges," he said.

"If other businesses are able to benefit from our experience we would like to offer our support and learnings."

The port is also planning to roll out mandatory Covid testing for all its employees on the port with its own saliva PCR testing unit, not just frontline workers who already undergo mandatory testing.