Some of the country’s largest companies will be able to introduce rapid antigen testing to their critical worksites this
month after the Government responded to calls from the business community to allow rapid tests to be imported into New
Zealand.
More than 25 companies sought emergency approval from the Government last week to allow rapid surveillance testing to
get underway in New Zealand, providing an additional layer of health protection for employees and helping to ensure
workplace continuity.
Today the coalition of businesses confirmed a $3 million-plus order for 300,000 Abbott PanBio COVID-19 Ag Rapid tests to
be imported into New Zealand, after the Government, the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the
Ministry of Health gave their support for trials to begin.
“This is all about businesses wanting to do the best they can to protect the health and safety of their teams, and in an
environment where you have community transmission of the virus, rapid testing becomes a critical part of that,” said
Auckland Airport Chief Executive Adrian Littlewood.
“Rapid antigen tests are also key to ensuring the continuity of critical worksites, those that provide the essential
services and products that keep our country going.
“We thank the Government, MBIE and the Ministry of Health for their quick response to our request to import rapid
antigen tests and we look forward to working with them as our essential workforces start using the tests in the days
ahead,” Mr Littlewood said.
The Abbott PanBio COVID-19 Ag Rapid tests, procured via medical supplies wholesaler and distributor EBOS Healthcare, are
expected to start arriving New Zealand from 21 October 2021 and will be distributed to the businesses taking part.
Funded by participating companies, the tests will be trialled across a range of sectors including manufacturing, primary
industries, energy, food production, telecommunications, freight, aviation and aged care.
Auckland Airport plans to introduce the rapid tests for a range of operational employees, but will initially focus on
daily testing for essential employees working on critical infrastructure projects, such as airfield safety officers
overseeing upgrades to the fuel pipeline on the airfield.
Mainfreight Managing Director Don Braid said: “Mainfreight has successfully introduced rapid testing in worksites in 26
countries around the world and we intend to replicate regular testing across our 83 sites in New Zealand, in the
interests of our people and customers.
“We would like to acknowledge the way businesses have come together to work with Government Ministers, the Ministry of
Health, and in particular MBIE to make this happen.”
Foodstuffs North Island Chief Executive Officer Chris Quin said: “At a time where the challenge of Delta in New Zealand
is greater than ever, it’s been renewing for everyone to be able to work together across government and business to
enable this additional testing solution. We need to do everything we can and this is a positive step in helping to
further look after our teams in stores and in the supply chain New Zealanders depend on.”
Rapid antigen tests are used widely overseas as an additional tool to curb the spread of COVID-19, providing on-the spot
results in minutes to help identify chains of transmission, provide reassurance to employees and ensure workplace
continuity.
The tests, which will not take the place of existing PCR tests for border workers or those who are experiencing
symptoms, provide results in about 15 minutes, unlike PCR tests which can take days to return results. They generally
cost about $10 to $15 each.
Genesis Chief Executive Officer Marc England said rapid antigen tests would boost protection of staff at power plants
such as Huntly, which plays a critical role in New Zealand’s energy network.
“The immediacy of rapid antigen testing will add another layer of protection to the saliva testing we already have in
place. Huntly’s specialised workforce play an essential role in New Zealand’s energy security; antigen testing will give
our staff reasonable confidence before they step on site that they are safe to do so, and ensure the plant remains
operational.”
The companies taking part in the trial include: Mainfreight, Foodstuffs North Island, Genesis, Hynds Pipe Systems,
Mercury, Summerset Group, Wellington Airport, Christchurch Airport, Sky NZ, Queenstown Airport, Spark, Vodafone, The
Warehouse Group, ANZ Bank, Contact Energy, Fulton Hogan, Countdown/Woolworths NZ, Fletcher Building, Carter Holt Harvey,
Meridian Energy, DHL Express NZ, Air NZ and Auckland Airport.
About the test:
Name: Abbott Panbio COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test Device
Application: Nasal
Result time: 15-20 mins