Covid-19 vaccination requirements at the University of Waikato
On this page
- Covid-19 vaccination requirements at the University of Waikato
- What it means for students
- What it means for staff
- Information about our venues
- Information for visitors
- Student FAQs
From 14 February 2022, the University of Waikato requires all staff, students and contractors to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to work and study on campus.
A Ministry of Health issued My Vaccine Pass will be accepted as evidence of appropriate vaccination or exemption. This provides certainty for everyone that the University can remain open as a safe place of study and work, no matter what level of the traffic light system we are at.
What it means for students
Where provided to us, verification of your Covid-19 vaccination (or exemption) will be held in MyWaikato, and will be held in accordance with privacy legislation.
Only students who have provided evidence of vaccination will be permitted to enrol in papers that are delivered exclusively face-to-face. Students who choose not to be vaccinated or do not wish to share their vaccination status will be able to study online where appropriate.
Under Ministry of Health mandates specific programmes require students to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 in order to undertake internships, placements and practicums, these programmes include teaching, nursing, social work and others. More information on this mandate can be found here.
Unvaccinated students will need to work with their intended School to identify papers that can be delivered remotely. University student support services will still be available to you via online mechanisms. Please refer to the FAQs below, or contact the Student Services team if you have any questions about the vaccine requirement and what it means for you.
What it means for staff
Evidence of your Covid-19 vaccination (or exemption) will be held in Āku Mahi, and will be held in accordance with privacy legislation.
The University will engage with all staff who are yet to provide or who choose not to provide evidence of vaccination individually and in good faith. We understand that some staff have concerns related to vaccinations and we will talk with those staff to understand what their concerns are and what the impact of being unvaccinated may be on their role.
Information about our venues
As part of operating at the Orange setting of the traffic light system, vaccine passes are now required for anyone entering our campus hospitality outlets (cafes), the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, UniRec gym, the University pools, and for all external bookings of any University venue.
Accessing Student Health Services, the Hamilton campus pharmacy and Unimart do not require vaccine passes as they provide essential services.
Information for visitors
Please see the below information if you plan to visit one of our campuses or sites.
Information for all visitors
We ask all visitors to please be vigilant with your use of the contact tracing QR codes around our buildings.
Face coverings are required in the following locations:
- All cafes/retail spaces
- All reception areas
- Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts (Hamilton campus)
- Student Health Centre (Hamilton campus)
- UniRec (Hamilton campus)
- Tauranga campus Student Hub and social learning spaces
Face coverings are also strongly recommended indoors and in places where you can’t physically distance.
More information about our operations as part of the traffic light system can be found here.
General University business
From 14 February 2022, all visitors to our campuses and sites for general University business will need to be able to provide evidence of vaccination. We will not hold your vaccine information; however, we do ask that you confirm you are vaccinated with your University contact before coming onsite. If you are unable to provide evidence, online meetings can be accommodated.
External bookings
As above, as part of operating at the Orange setting, visitors to our campuses and sites for external bookings will need to confirm with their University contact that everyone attending the booked event has provided evidence of vaccination. We will not hold this information but it is important that you take responsibility for ensuring everyone is compliant.
Public events
Visitors to our campuses and sites for public events that are not organised by the University of Waikato, for example, Weetbix Kids TRYathlon, will need to comply with any vaccine requirements set by those event organisers.
Recreational visits
Anyone who visits our campuses and sites for recreational purposes, such as for outdoor exercise, does not need to confirm they are fully vaccinated.
Why can’t I come to campus as an unvaccinated student/staff member/contractor, but I can as an unvaccinated member of the public coming for a walk or a coffee or to use the library? What’s the difference?
The University is not able to mandate vaccinations for members of the public accessing our grounds for recreational purposes, or in our retail venues which are separate businesses. When the University re-opens in the New Year the Library will be able to welcome members of the public under the traffic light system.
Why does the University’s decision only apply until 30 October 2022?
We expect that the status of Covid-19 in New Zealand and the Government’s response may change over time and once the majority of the country is operating with My Vaccine Pass. This date is to allow for any change in Government response that the University might need to align with, and is in line with the teaching dates for B Trimester.
I don’t intend to be vaccinated. Can’t I just provide a regular negative test result?
The University does not have the capacity to establish and monitor a regime of regular testing as a basis for use of our campuses.
Doesn’t requiring students to receive a vaccine in order to access their tertiary education go against the Code of Pastoral Care/individual rights etc?
No, this decision does not infringe the rights of individuals. The University will continue to make a range of programmes and papers available online for those students who choose not to be vaccinated.
The University has an obligation under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 to provide a safe environment for staff, contractors, students and visitors, and we must show we have taken steps to reduce the overall risk of contracting or spreading Covid-19.
If I am not allowed to attend class in person, how can I continue my study? What measures will you take to guarantee access to tertiary education to those who choose to remain unvaccinated?
There is no vaccination requirement for enrolling in our NET coded papers, which are offered online, as well as FLEXI papers, which are delivered both online and face-to-face; however, any unvaccinated students must only attend online classes.
It is important to note that the University is not able to guarantee that all programmes and papers you wish to study in your programme will be available online.