Summer events depend on 90 percent vaccinated, says deputy mayor

The near future of the tourism and events industry in Waipā and nationwide depends on the country hitting a 90 percent vaccination rate, according to Waipā’s deputy mayor.

Deputy mayor Liz Stolywk, who also runs the Mighty River Domain at Lake Karāpiro, said for the summer events season to go ahead as planned, New Zealand needed to get vaccinated quickly.

Events had been on hold since August and the District’s tourism and event operators were ready to spring into action, Stolwyk said.

“The tourism sector has been one of the industries that’s been the hardest hit — we haven’t been able to operate since mid-August.”

Stolwyk said many medium-to-large events were effectively stuck in limbo until Alert Level 1.

“For us in the events industry, we need to be in an environment where we can have over 100 people, and that’s only achievable at Level 1.”

She said it seemed likely event organisers would begin requiring attendees to provide proof of a double vaccination, meaning festival-goers would need to get sorted soon to catch the summer festival season.

“More festival organisers will be introducing requirements of full vaccinations for youth to be able to go to summer festivals.”

She said one of the keys to unlocking the 90 percent vaccination rate was getting through to youth, and Stolwyk called on parents like herself to get their kids vaccinated.

“Our youth need an extra push to get vaccinated, and as parents we need to help our young ones along a little. We need to encourage our teenagers to get out and get their vaccinations.”

Stolwyk also praised Waipā on the vaccination effort so far, calling Waipā’s vaccination rate “so close” to the finish line.