Date:  01 April 2022

From 11:59 pm, Monday 4 April, anyone staying or using Department of Conservation (DOC) huts, campsites and sole occupancy facilities will no longer have to show a My Vaccine Pass.

The decision has been made after a thorough health and safety assessment. 

“The assessment determined the COVID-19 risk profile has changed sufficiently to remove the vaccine requirements. This is a result of updated public health advice, the country’s high vaccination rates, the recent Omicron peak, and increasingly widespread transmission with cases declining,” says Deputy Director-General, Policy and Visitors, Bruce Parkes.

“Today’s announcement reflects the updated COVID-19 Protection Framework and the Government’s change in focus to make life simpler and closer to normal while retaining the public health measures that have proven effective to date.

“DOC is also reviewing its vaccination policy for staff, contractors and volunteers and aims to make an announcement next week once the health and safety risk assessment for this has been completed,” says Bruce Parkes.

Advice for visitors

DOC is encouraging people to get into nature this autumn providing they can do so safely. This means following DOC’s Tiaki care code and taking a high degree of personal responsibility and increased planning.

People using DOC facilities should be:

• following Ministry of Health guidelines
• sanitising or washing hands regularly
• where practical wearing a mask and physically distancing around others
• staying at home if unwell, isolating or a household contact.

People considering staying in a DOC hut or campsite can undertake their own risk assessment for themselves and their group:

• What traffic light is the region at – Red, Orange or Green.
• Will there be more vulnerable or unvaccinated people in my group. For example, children under 12.
• What are the sleeping arrangements:
  • hut/campsite capacity, shared hut, sleeping platforms or individual bunks
  • is it possible to camp outside or near a hut, so I can carry tents to use if needed.
• Will it be possible to sanitise hands, wear masks or keep 1 m distance from those not in my group. For example, in huts or when using shared facilities like toilet blocks and campsite shelters.
• Is it likely to be a busy period such as a Saturday night, or holiday weekend.

Contact