The Sport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson has announced that urgent maintenance of turf and care for plants in
non-plantation nurseries will soon be able to go ahead under Level 4 restrictions.
“The Government has agreed that urgent upkeep and maintenance of biological assets will be able to go ahead after the
Easter Weekend. This includes non-plantation nurseries, stadia turf, and golf and bowling club turf maintenance.
“The criteria and conditions under which this maintenance can go ahead are being urgently developed by the Ministry for
Business, Innovation and Employment.
“I understand the implications if the maintenance does not occur regularly, including for community organisations, which
is why we have moved quickly on these decisions.
“However I ask those wanting to undertake the maintenance to wait until the criteria has been published – we need to
ensure there are clear guidelines for the health and safety of the community and turf management workers. There will be
clear restrictions on any activity that is allowed,” Grant Robertson said.
“We have been making good progress in our fight against COVID-19, but we are still at Alert Level 4 and we cannot be
complacent and risk undoing the excellent progress we have made so far.
“So I reiterate to all those who are wanting to undertake the maintenance – please do not do so until the guidance has
been issued. Please stay home this long weekend but you can start to plan and prepare for urgent maintenance to get
underway soon,” Grant Robertson said.
MBIE will release the criteria after the Easter Weekend.