Message for Ara Learners

27 April 2022

Ara to put Covid-19 Vaccination Policy into abeyance

Following Government changes to vaccination mandates and updates to our risk assessment, Ara proposed to put its Covid-19 Vaccination Policy into abeyance. Consultation began on 8 April 2022, when kaimahi (staff) and ākonga (students) were provided with Ara’s updated risk assessment and policy statement. Between 8 and 14 April 2022, more than 500 people provided feedback on the proposal.

Following consideration of feedback, the changed risk to Ara’s community from the pandemic, the latest advice from Government, and Ara’s updated risk assessment, a decision has been made.

The outcome of these analyses and feedback is that Ara will put its Covid-19 Vaccination Policy into abeyance. Abeyance means the policy exists but is no longer current, nor enforced.

This means Ara will discontinue the current general mandatory vaccination requirement for all kaimahi and ākonga. Requirements under the Public Health Order must still be followed, which means staff and students in areas specified by the Public Health Order still need to be vaccinated.

This change will mean from Monday, 2 May 2022, mandatory vaccinations are only required for activities where the Public Health Order still applies. These areas are:

1. Health practitioners providing in person health services
2. Workers who carry out work where health services are provided to members of the public by 1 or more health practitioners and whose role involves being within 2 metres or less of a health practitioner or a member of the public for a period of 15 minutes or more
3. Workers who are employed or engaged by certified providers and carry out work at the premises at which health care services are provided

13 April 2022

Ara taking submissions on suspending its COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

Ara proposes to suspend its vaccination policy from 2 May, 2022. This will mean all students, staff and visitors will be able to visit Ara even if unvaccinated.

You can read Ara’s revised position statement and risk assessment here.

If you’re a former or prospective student and would like to provide information to help us with this decision, please email your submission to ContactCentre@ara.ac.nz by 12pm Wednesday, April 20, 2022.

Note: existing students can submit feedback via the form on MyAra – you can find the link to the form in Darren’s update posted on Friday, 8 April on the Message Board.

Please tell us:

• If it’s the right time for Ara to put the vaccination policy into abeyance (suspension)
• If you’d like to see Ara continue to maintain its other Covid-19 protection measures, regardless of if they’re mandated by the Government or not (e.g. masks)  
• Any suggestions you have to support ākonga (students) and kaimahi (staff) wellbeing regarding Covid-19
• Any other information you think is relevant to Ara’s proposed change.

28 March 2022

We’re still at Red

Aotearoa is still at Red. The next review of the traffic light settings is on 4 April 2022.

Although the peak of the Omicron outbreak has passed in Auckland, in Te Waipounamu, we’re still in the thick of it. Please keep up the great mahi of washing your hands, wearing your mask and staying at home and getting a test when you have Covid-19 symptoms.

Self-isolation

If you test positive for Covid-19, you now need to isolate for at least 7 days while you recover. Your 7 days start from Day 0 — the day your symptoms started or the day you got tested.

For more information and advice about self-isolation, including advice for Household Contacts, please visit the Unite Against Covid-19 website: https://covid19.govt.nz/isolation-and-care/if-you-have-covid-19/

The government is removing most vaccine mandates - what’s happening with Ara’s vaccination policy?

From 11:59pm on Monday 4 April, some government vaccine mandates will be removed. Health and disability sector workers will still be covered by a government vaccine mandate.

Ara’s vaccination policy will come into effect. All staff and students on campus will still need to be fully vaccinated and will need a security card linked with their My Vaccine Pass to enter Ara buildings that aren’t open to the public.

Ara is in the process of assessing its vaccination policy. Any adjustment to, or complete removal of, the vaccination policy must go through a formal consultation process. Our vaccination policy now needs to reflect our changed environment, including Omicron being the dominant strain and the improved ability to access and use Rapid Antigen Testing. We’re currently incorporating advice and instructions from Te Pūkenga and the Tertiary Education Commission into our plans.  

25 February 2022

Kia ora koutou

6,137 new community cases were recorded in Aotearoa yesterday. As at 1pm yesterday, Canterbury had 750 cases and South Canterbury had 21. At Ara, we now have 20 cases within our learning community.

The rapid increase of cases means we moved into Phase 3 of the Omicron response at 11.59pm last night. At Phase 3, the focus is on safely managing Covid-19 at home so we can keep hospital beds free for people who need medical treatment. 

I know for many of you, the sharp rise in community case numbers may be unnerving. Many of us will be concerned about the impact of Omicron on our own or our loved one’s lives. It’s starting to feel as if the Covid-19 experiences in other parts of the world are finally landing on our own shores. Please, if you are concerned about your learning situation, speak with your tutor or contact student support services.

In times like these, it’s important to remember that Ara has planned for this moment. We’re in great shape with the vast majority of us being fully vaccinated and therefore, we’re less likely to experience serious illness. With kindness and care, we’ll get through Omicron.

I want to thank you all for playing your part in keeping each other safe and well. 

Please remember, at Phase 3:

Close Contacts

• At Phase 3, Close Contacts don’t need to isolate. If you’re notified that you’re a Close Contact, monitor your symptoms for 10 days. If you develop symptoms get a test, and isolate until you get your result.
• From today, if you’re currently a Close Contact and are part way through isolating, you can stop isolating — you don’t need a negative test. 

Household Contacts

• If you live with someone who’s tested positive for Covid-19, you’re a ‘Household Contact’ and need to isolate for 10 days.
• You must get a test on Day 3 and Day 10 of your isolation.
• If you develop symptoms, get a test sooner.
• If you test positive, you’ll need to isolate for 10 days.

Testing

• You should only get a Covid-19 test if you have symptoms or you’re a Household Contact.
• PCR (swab) tests will be used for people who need it most, and rapid antigen tests (RATs – saliva tests) will be more available.

If you test positive

• If you test positive for Covid-19, you’ll isolate for 10 days. You’ll be sent a link to complete an online form, which will help identify locations you have visited and people you’ve come into close contact with.
• If you don’t have a mobile, you’ll be contacted by a contact tracer or a health provider.
• You can leave isolation after 10 days — you don’t need a negative test.
  What to expect if you test positive for COVID-19
  If you test positive for COVID-19 | Health Hub

Contact tracing and locations of interest

• Locations of interest will not be used at Phase 3.
• Contact tracing will focus on high risk contacts of cases. If you test positive, you’ll be supported to notify people you’ve spent time with while infectious.

Help while self-isolating

• If you are self-isolating because of Covid-19, help is available if you need it. You can get help to access essential supplies like food or medicine, or access to clinical care if you need it to isolate safely.
  Help when you are self-isolating

Ngā mihi

Darren Mitchell
Acting Chief Executive

23 February 2022

Kia ora koutou

You may have heard there are confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Ara community. The health and wellbeing of our students, staff and community is our top priority.

What we’re doing

• We are currently working to identify and communicate with close contacts.
• Ara will continue to remain open for all teaching and learning
• For learners, refer to MyAra for further updates

What you need to do

In the interim, to reduce your risk of becoming a Close Contact:

• Wear a mask
• Keep your distance
• Use the COVID Tracer App with Bluetooth enabled and scan everywhere you go
• Stay home if you’re sick and get a test
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow
• Clean or disinfect shared surfaces regularly
• Improve ventilation
• Make sure you have a plan in place for if you catch COVID-19.

Ngā mihi

Darren Mitchell

Acting Chief Executive

21 February 2022

Kia ora koutou

COVID-19 cases are increasing in our community. To slow the spread and continue to protect yourself, your whānau, and your community, it is important to keep up the healthy habits we know:

• Wear a mask
• Use the COVID Tracer App with Bluetooth enabled and scan everywhere you go
• Stay home if you’re sick and get a test
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow
• Clean or disinfect shared surfaces regularly
• Improve ventilation
• Keep your distance
• Make sure you have a plan in place for if you catch COVID-19.

Contact tracing

Ara is now helping the Ministry of Health with contact tracing. If someone tests positive and they’ve been at Ara while infectious, we’ll help to identify and contact their Close Contacts.

To help us do this, make sure you use the COVID Tracer App, with Bluetooth enabled, to scan the QR codes as you move around campus.

If Ara contact tracers call you, please help them. They are acting in accordance with and on the instruction of the Ministry of Health. All information you share will only used for the purposes of contact tracing and will be stored securely.

Close Contacts

We’ve heard some people are self-isolating who don’t need to. To clarify, you need to self-isolate if you have COVID-19 symptoms (get tested!) or if you’re a Close Contact.

You’re a Close Contact if you have had contact with a person with COVID-19 when they were infectious. Close Contacts are at higher risk of getting COVID-19.

Read more about Close Contacts here.

Ara is open!

Ara is still open! Where possible, your classes will continue to be delivered face to face, at Ara, so you can make full use of Ara’s resources and equipment and connect with other learners.

In some cases, this won’t be possible. In this case your classes will be delivered online, for example, via Moodle. Your tutor will communicate this to you via Moodle with as much notice as possible.

Stay home if you’re sick

If you have cold, flu or Covid-19 symptoms, you should get a test. You must stay home until you get a negative result. Call your doctor or Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice about getting tested. 

If you’re having a test, let your tutor know then use this link to notify Ara’s Health, Safety & Wellbeing team.

Masks

All face coverings must now be masks, attached to the head by loops around the ears or head.

Ara students must wear masks in all indoor areas except when eating, drinking, or exercising.

The exceptions to this include:

• You’re communicating with a person who is deaf or hard of hearing and they need to see your mouth
• You have a physical or mental illness or condition or disability that makes wearing a face covering unsuitable
• Students and tutors can remove their masks when carrying out a learning or teaching activity that means they can’t wear a mask, like singing or playing a wind instrument. You must stay 2 metres away from others.
• Tutors can remove their masks when teaching or presenting if they can stay 2 metres away from others

Vaccinations

At Red, all learners, colleagues and visitors to Ara must be fully vaccinated. Some people will need to have a booster to be considered fully vaccinated.

If you haven’t already, you can link your My Vaccine Pass to your student ID at campus security.

More information 

You can find out more about the Red traffic light status and how it impacts tertiary institutes here: 

https://covid19.govt.nz/traffic-lights/life-at-red/education-at-red/tertiary-education-at-red/ 

If you have any concerns or issues about the vaccination policy, please call the Ara contact centre on: 

Phone: 0800 24 24 76 

Email: info@ara.ac.nz 

Hours: Monday – Thursday:  8:00am – 5:00pm 

                Friday: 9:00am – 4:30pm 

26 January 2022

On Monday 24 January 2022, New Zealand shifted into red setting on the COVID-19 Protection Framework. At the red setting only vaccinated people (learners, staff and visitors) can enter Ara sites.   

We will be taking an enforcement approach to application of the policy as this is now a mandate from central government.   

Please note that there are some exemptions to the vaccination regulations including: 

• People accessing the Health Centre 
• Whānau and tamariki accessing Early Learning Centres 
• Secondary students accessing the campus for the purposes of: 
• A secondary-tertiary programme held on Ara premises (dual-enrolments) 
• A school learning programme part of which is held on Ara premises (STAR programme) 

We have developed these frequently asked questions (FAQs) in response to potential questions, and to guide you through the process to register your My Vaccine Pass to enter an Ara site.  

If you have any enquiries or questions, please contact the Ara Contact Centre phone 0800 24 24 76 or email info@ara.ac.nz. The hours are Monday – Thursday: 8:00am – 5:00pm and Friday 9.00 am to 4.30pm. If you are not vaccinated, please make contact with Ara as soon as possible so that we can identify potential solutions quickly.  

24 January 2022

Kia ora learners, 

On Monday 24 January New Zealand shifted to the red setting under the COVID-19 traffic light system. As a result, only vaccinated people (learners, colleagues and visitors) can now enter Ara sites. We will be taking an enforcement approach to application of the policy as this is now a mandate by central government. As a result, you will need to show your My Vaccine Pass to enter any Ara site. There will be security on site checking passes. 

Please note that there are some exemptions to the vaccination regulations including: 

• People accessing the Health Centre 
• Whānau and tamariki accessing Early Learning Centres 
• Secondary students accessing the campus for the purposes of: 
  • A secondary-tertiary programme held on Ara premises (dual-enrolments) 
  • A school learning programme part of which is held on Ara premises (STAR programme) 

Later this week we will be writing to inform you about how to register your Ara access pass to ensure on going access to campus facilities on a regular basis. 

Please do not send or upload any details to Ara right now as we will have a very specific process in place to manage registration. If you have already sent information through, this will not be stored, and you will need to resubmit it once the formal process is in place. 

Masks are Mandatory 

It is mandatory to wear a mask on site at Ara when you are indoors, and you must maintain 1m physical distance from others. We know mask wearing makes a difference in reducing the spread of the virus so please ensure you follow this rule. You may need to take a break outside more regularly to make it easier to manage mask restrictions.  

Unwell – stay home and take a test 

Please stay home if you have any COVID -19 symptoms. If vaccinated these might be quite minor. Make sure you get tested and stay at home until you receive your results. 

More information 

You can find out more about the red traffic light status and how it impacts tertiary institutes here: 

https://covid19.govt.nz/traffic-lights/life-at-red/education-at-red/tertiary-education-at-red/ 

If you have any concerns or issues about the vaccination policy, please call the Ara contact centre on: 

Phone: 0800 24 24 76 

Email: info@ara.ac.nz 

Hours: Monday – Thursday: 8:00am – 5:00pm 

                       Friday: 9:00am – 4:30pm 

You may be feeling uncertain about what is happening, and it is important to remember to be kind and supportive of each other during these challenging times.  We will be providing regular updates so keep an eye on your email. 

We look forward to welcoming you on site to Ara for a new year of study. 

23 January 2022

NZ Moves to Red COVID setting

This morning (Sunday 23 January) the Prime Minister announced that New Zealand will move to the red setting under the COVID-19 traffic light system at midnight tonight as a result of community spread of Omicron.  This means that Ara will be operating at Red from tomorrow (Monday 24 January) and while we will be operating as normal there will be a number of additional restrictions in place. This includes:

1. All learners, staff and visitors to all Ara sites must be fully vaccinated to come on site. If you are not fully vaccinated you will not be allowed on site. Please make sure you bring your My Vaccine Pass with you to Ara to ensure access. As per Government guidelines, this policy does not apply to:

• Secondary school students, when they are participating in a secondary-tertiary programme, or a school learning programme hosted at Ara Institute of Canterbury Ltd sites.
• Clients who are accessing health services at an Ara Institute of Canterbury site
• Children enrolled at the Early Learning Centres at Ara Institute of Canterbury site
• Parents or caregivers of children enrolled at Early Learning Centres unless they are a volunteer or worker at the premises
• Children under the age of 12 years and 3 months
• Any person who has a Government approved COVID-19 vaccination exemption

2. Any learners that are not fully vaccinated or covered by the exemptions above must not come on-site and should contact their department to discuss options.

3. Any colleagues that are not fully vaccinated must not come on-site and should contact their manager to discuss options.

The Ara COVID-19 working group has been developing plans to manage a shift to the Red setting, we will be in a position to confirm further details with you on Monday 24 January.

In the meantime, you are encouraged if eligible to get a vaccine booster. It is mandatory to wear a mask and maintain distancing requirements. You should also track your movements and if you have any COVID symptoms then get tested and isolate as per the Government guidelines.

14 January 2022

In late December Ara made the decision to implement a requirement that all learners, Ara staff and visitors, to all Ara Institute of Canterbury sites, must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a Ministry of Health approved vaccine exemption by 14 February 2022.

We want to make the compliance process as smooth and as easy as possible, and we are currently finalising the details of implementation. Once these are confirmed we will share them with you. This information will be provided in sufficient time for you to meet any compliance requirements before the policy comes into effect on the 14^th February 2022.

We want to reinforce that this is not a no jab/no study policy.  It is our genuine intention to work with every unvaccinated learner to identify ways that they can continue to maintain access to education as far as is reasonably possible.

If you are unvaccinated and require support, we encourage you to contact us and provide your details. To do so, or if you have any other questions, you can contact us on 0800 24 24 76 or info@ara.ac.nz.  We appreciate your patience as we complete the process for implementing the vaccination policy. Any enquiries lodged with us will be responded to as soon as the process is finalised.

22 December 2021

Ara Institute of Canterbury has made the following decision regarding COVID-19 vaccination for anyone attending our campuses or undertaking face-to-face activities on our sites or campuses. This includes staff, students, contractors, visitors and members of the public. Specifically:

Ara will implement a requirement that all learners, Ara colleagues and visitors, to all Ara Institute of Canterbury sites, must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a Ministry of Health approved vaccine exemption by 14 February 2022. For those people receiving Pfizer vaccines, this will mean they must have had their first vaccination by 24 January 2022.

We have developed these frequently asked questions (FAQs) in response to potential questions. These will be updated as more questions and answers arise.

We are currently working through the practicalities of managing implementation and as soon as details are confirmed we will share that information through our Ara channels.

In the interim you can contact us from 10 January 2022 with any questions on 0800 24 24 76 or info@ara.ac.nz.

FAQs

What is the Ara COVID 19 vaccination policy?

Ara Institute of Canterbury has made the following decision regarding COVID-19 vaccination for anyone attending our campuses or undertaking face-to-face activities on our sites or campuses. This includes staff, students, contractors, visitors and members of the public. Specifically:

Ara will implement a requirement that all learners, Ara colleagues and visitors, to all Ara Institute of Canterbury sites, must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have a Ministry of Health approved vaccine exemption by 14 February 2022. For those people receiving Pfizer vaccines, this will mean they must have had their first vaccination by 24 January 2022.

Why has this decision been made?

Ara made the decision following completion of a health, safety and risk assessment and a consultation process where most of those who provided feedback supported the decision.  The key reason behind this requirement is to ensure that Ara is providing a safe environment for everyone on campus. Vaccination is the best way to achieve this.

How will this decision be implemented and enforced?

We are still finalising the practicalities of managing implementation of this requirement and as soon as details are confirmed we will share that information with you so you can prepare for any requirements. 

Have we engaged with our Treaty partner?

Yes, we have engaged with local Ngāi Tahu hapū representatives.

What proof will I need to show?

You will need to show your My Vaccine Pass or a Ministry of Health approved vaccine exemption.

What date does this requirement come into operation?

Ara requires learners and colleagues to have their first vaccination by 24 January 2022 and be fully vaccinated by 14 February 2022.  

What does fully vaccinated mean?  

This means that you need to have had a full course of any of the COVID-19 vaccines that have been approved by a government health authority or approval authority. A full course of some of the approved vaccines is one dose only.

You can have a combination of different vaccines if that combination is an approved course in the country you received them. Each of the vaccines must be on the list of approved vaccines.

The booster is not a requirement for “full vaccination” at this stage, but the status of this may change and we will keep you updated with requirements.

Will medical exemptions be accepted?

Yes, a Ministry of Health approved vaccine exemption will be accepted.

How can I get support to assist me with this change?

You can contact us from 10 January 2022 with any questions on 0800 24 24 76 or info@ara.ac.nz.

You can also talk to your manager, tutor or programme leader to access additional support.

I do not want to be forced to be vaccinated. This decision impacts my freedom of choice.

We acknowledge that vaccination is a personal choice. However, anyone who is not fully vaccinated or does not have a Ministry of Health approved vaccine exemption will be unable to enter Ara campuses or facilities. This includes but is not limited to teaching and learning spaces (such as workshops, classes, labs, tutorials, meetings, exams and assessments), libraries, student services, student accommodation, gyms, offices and research and related activity settings.

If I have a negative COVID-19 test within 24 hours can I come on campus?

Not at this time. A negative test will not change your vaccination status. You will need to be fully vaccinated or have a Ministry of Health approved vaccine exemption. Ara will continue to be guided by Ministry of Health scientific information and Public Health Orders. Ara is considering the feasibility of using rapid antigen testing as a way of supporting unvaccinated colleagues and learners to continue their engagement. Further guidance on this will be available in the new year.

I have already commenced study at Ara but do not want to be vaccinated. Can I complete my studies?

It is our genuine intention to work with learners who are unable or do not intend to be vaccinated, to establish a pathway forward. We will try to identify options that work for the individual and their whānau and ways that we can continue to maintain their access to education as far as is possible.

We recommend that you talk to your tutor or student advisor about your decision and any options. Make sure that you take good advice before making any final decisions. 

I have not enrolled and want to study at Ara, but I am not vaccinated.

You will need to be fully vaccinated to enrol for study at Ara. You can contact us from 10 January 2022 with any questions – 0800 24 24 76 or info@ara.ac.nz.

Will unvaccinated people be able to access health services?

Ara recognises that some people accessing services and/or education at Ara sites are legislatively exempt from vaccination requirements and cannot be excluded on the basis of their vaccination status. They include:  

• Secondary school students engaging in their programmes at Ara;
• Clients accessing medical services (Health Centre, Osteopathic Clinic);
• Clients accessing early learning centre services;
• Children under the age of 12 years and 3 months; and
• Those people who are medically exempted by the Ministry of Health.

I am a caregiver with children enrolled at the Early Learning Centre. Can I drop children at the Early Learning Centre on campus?

Ara recognises that some people accessing services and/or education at Ara sites are legislatively exempt from vaccination requirements and cannot be excluded on the basis of their vaccination status. They include:  

• Secondary school students engaging in their programmes at Ara;
• Clients accessing medical services (Health Centre, Osteopathic Clinic);
• Clients accessing early learning centre services;
• Children under the age of 12 years and 3 months; and
• Those people who are medically exempted by the Ministry of Health.

If I withdraw from Ara and then change my mind and get vaccinated, can I re-engage?

Yes. If enrolment for your chosen course or programme of study is still available.  We recommend that you talk to your tutor or student advisor about any changes to your circumstances.

Where can I find information on the vaccine?

Getting vaccinated is a personal choice and it is important you make an informed choice. We encourage you to get advice from a trusted source like the Ministry of Health, the Government’s COVID-19 website (https://covid19.govt.nz/covid-19-vaccines/) or talk to your doctor.

Who can I talk to in Ara to get more information on this?

You can contact us from 10 January 2022 with any questions on 0800 24 24 76 or info@ara.ac.nz.

You can also talk to your manager, tutor or programme leader to access additional support.

I am a secondary school student engaged in learning courses at Ara and I am not vaccinated. Can I still complete the course?

There are specific instances where students will not be required to be vaccinated, as set out in the COVID-19 Public Health Orders.  The policy states that it will not apply to secondary school students who are completing their studies at Ara sites.  This applies to:

• Secondary students participating in a secondary-tertiary programme held at tertiary education premises (“Dual Enrolments”).
• Secondary students participating in a school learning programme of which part is held on tertiary education premises (“STAR Enrolments”).

Are other tertiary institutes enforcing vaccination?

All institutes are considering mandatory vaccination, and many have already implemented this requirement.

Kia ora Ara students

COVID-19 vaccination requirements to study at Ara

As at 3 December 2021

The following information is subject to change and will be regularly updated.

As you make your study decisions, it’s important you read this information on COVID-19 vaccinations and what it might mean to you.

To study some programmes at Ara, you now need to be vaccinated against COVID-19. As this is also being considered for all programmes in all New Zealand polytechnics (including at Ara) you need to be prepared for changes:

Vaccination requirements at Ara at this time – for both new and returning students

Programmes where you now MUST be vaccinated against COVID-19 to study at Ara and/or complete your placements in a setting covered by the ‘Vaccinations Order’:

Students in these scenarios must have their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine before the close of 1 January 2022. This is required as part of the Government ‘Vaccinations Order’ (COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order 2021):

• Early Childcare Education
• Health and Wellbeing
• Medical Imaging
• Midwifery
• Nursing
• Osteopathy (Musculosketal Health)
• Social Work

Programmes where you may need to be vaccinated to study at Ara:

Students on these programmes have close contact with others as part of their course-work. Under the New Zealand COVID-19 Protection Framework (the ‘traffic lights’), vaccination is required for those who provide services that require close contact. This could affect your study in:

• Beauty Therapy
• Hairdressing and Barbering
• Hospitality, Cookery and Bakery
• Massage Therapy
• Sport, Nutrition and Health Promotion

Ara is currently reviewing these programmes to determine if students enrolled in them will need to be vaccinated. Please continue to check this page for updates.

Vaccination may also be required for students who have work-based learning such as placements, apprenticeships, internships, etc as part of their study. For example, if the business you are based at requires their employees to be vaccinated, then you will need to be vaccinated too. 

Visiting parts of our Ara campuses:

There are parts of our Ara campuses where you will need to be vaccinated to visit as part of complying with Government requirements. These places currently include, (but there may be more soon):

• Ara gym facilities
• Ara cafes

Making your study decision:

Please email the Ara Contact Centre team on info@ara.ac.nz in the first instance if you have questions about how your vaccination status will affect your study decision – now and in the future. Even if you don’t need to be vaccinated yet, this might change either before you start, or partway through your course.

Making your vaccination decision:

Ara strongly encourages all staff and students to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as part of helping to protect the health and safety of ourselves, whānau, friends and our communities.

Getting vaccinated is a personal choice and it is important you make an informed choice. We encourage you to get advice from a trusted source like the Ministry of Health, the Government’s Covid-19 website or talk to your doctor.

You do not have to share your vaccination status with us. However, if we ask you and you don’t provide that information, we’ll assume you’re not vaccinated. This could impact on your study if vaccination is required. 

Getting ready to study at Ara in 2022:

We know it isn’t easy to keep up with vaccination rules and regulations while things are changing. We are here to help you work through what you need to know so you can make a study decision that’s right for you.

If you’re partway through a programme where you now need to be vaccinated, you will have been (or soon will be) contacted to discuss what you need to do before returning in 2022.

For further information, please email info@ara.ac.nz in the first instance. Or you can phone us on 0800 24 24 76 – thank you for your patience if there is a delay in answering your call. Returning students can also make contact with their tutors.

Important: If you choose not to get vaccinated against COVID-19 we cannot guarantee you will be able to complete your programme of study.