22 Sep 2021

Covid-19 briefing: Vaccination rates, student credits and MIQ spots

2:13 pm on 22 September 2021

The Covid-19 Response Minister has given more details on vaccinations, help for Auckland students and the latest MIQ room releases at today's Covid-19 government briefing.

Watch it here:

There were 23 new community cases reported today.

Hipkins said three quarters of the total eligible population in New Zealand have now received their first dose, and 40 percent have received their second dose and are now fully vaccinated.

In Auckland 1,753,105 doses have been administered so far - 1,144,713 are first doses and about 608,000 are fully vaccinated.

Hipkins said 53,000 doses of the vaccine were administered nationally yesterday, with 21,000 of those in Auckland.

About 52 percent of Māori have had a first dose, along with 67 percent of Pacific people, 91 percent of over-65s, and 80 percent of 40-64 year olds.

Hipkins said he had asked health officials to consult on a potential requirement for the majority of healthcare workers to be vaccinated. That includes emergency departments, primary care and those working in aged residential care facilities.

Hipkins said the government was aware that students in Auckland have been spending increased time at higher alert levels, so he was increasing the entitlement for learning recognition credits for them.

They will now be able to get one such credit for every four other credits they get, up to a cap of 16 for NCEA level 1 and 12 for NCEA levels 2 and 3.

He is also adjusting the threshold for certificate endorsement to 44 credits at merit or excellence level, rather than the 46 credit threshold in the rest of the country.

"This isn't the last opportunity that they will have to gain support."

He said he want to thank parents, teachers and whānau for the work they have done to help students this year.

Hipkins also said the next MIQ voucher release will take place at 6pm NZ time on Tuesday and is for about 3000 rooms.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs