NZEI Te Riu Roa supports the continuation of level 3 restrictions in Auckland and level 2 for the rest of the country
while investigations continue into the recent Covid-19 outbreak. The union also welcomes the extension of wage subsidy
support during this period.
NZEI Te Riu Roa President, Liam Rutherford, says he is impressed at how quickly schools and early learning centres have
responded to the situation.
“Schools and early learning centres in the Auckland region have done an amazing job rapidly shifting back into remote
learning for most children and checking in on tamariki and whānau. I’m certain they will keep doing incredible work over
the next 12 days,” he says.
“It’s really important that we continue to follow the advice of health experts. Ministry of Health advice is that any
school or ECE staff member in Auckland who is vulnerable to Covid-19 should be working from home.”
“I also want to acknowledge how tough the closure of schools and centres is on parents and whānau. I’d reiterate my
advice from the previous outbreak: please be easy on yourselves. Learning and teaching within a lockdown will not look
the same as a usual school day. You don’t need to try and replicate the classroom at home,” he says.
Mr Rutherford says NZEI Te Riu Roa will continue to engage with the Ministry of Education to ensure that children,
whānau and educators are supported over the next 12 days.