Lake Wanaka Tourism GM, James Helmore, Ignite Chair Pete Eastwood and Board member Bridget Legnavsky yesterday attended a meeting with Mayor Jim Boult, Ministers Phil Twyford and Kelvin Davis, along with representatives of our local business community, to discuss the impact on COVID-19 on the Southern Lakes Region. Tourism is our region’s lifeblood and the impact of the pandemic will have a very significant impact on our town.

It was a sobering meeting. There was no sugar coating the fact that we are facing the largest economic shock likely to face our generation.  The government support package is the cushioning for the immediate shock and businesses need to be planning for a longer term change. This should involve working with professionals, banks and landlords.  Start these conversations early and keep the communication open. 

There was a genuine concern for the welfare of the people these business decisions will impact including those on visas and the type of support services they will be eligible for.  Mental health and financial support services will be stretched and of vital importance. 

The local accommodation sector also stressed the importance of a winter ski season and the support this will offer to our region, plus the ability to breathe some fresh air, exercise and keep smiling, something we will all need in the coming months. 

You can find updated info and resources below. 

Whats new?

It’s apparent from our conversations with local businesses in the last 48 hours that one of the main areas of concern is the mental health and welfare of staff impacted by COVID-19 due to loss of job or reduced income. The group has been working closely with the Council Welfare Team, local social agencies and Ministry of Social Development to ensure there is sufficient capability and resources for this. We will be continuing our efforts to ensure this is a priority. So where do people go if they need help now? Please direct your staff to these areas.

NZ Residents or Citizens - If you need assistance your first port of call is Work and Income (WINZ). Call 0800 778 008 - NOTE: WINZ has now closed its offices and all enquiries should be directed to the 0800 number. If you also need social assistance (food, counselling and other support), please see below advice.

Migrant workers - There is currently no assistance available for migrant workers on a national level. Locally our social agencies have done great work in mobilizing to provide interim support by identifying those most in need. We are in the processing of establishing a register of vulnerable migrants to better talk to this group of people and put in place a system for help. In the meantime, social support for migrants should be directed to Citizen's Advice Bureau on 

03 442 6799 (local) or 0800 367 222, Salvation Army or Happiness House in Queenstown and Community Networks in Wanaka. These agencies are now taking the contact details of this group of people and will ensure that they are included on the register.  Click here to fill out the Volunteering Central contact form.

Immigration - We will continue to work with Immigration New Zealand to provide urgently-required information for businesses and employees on visas-see below.

General Mental Health Support - COVID-19 is changing our daily lives. It’s important to look after our wellbeing and the wellbeing of our whānau and community as we get through this – together. For support and links for help click here.

On-going support- Following yesterday’s meeting we are working with the local social agencies, the Regional Commissioner for the Ministry of Social Development and MBIE to work through how government may be able to respond further to the issues businesses are experiencing in the Southern Lakes. We will continue to update you when we know more.

Other important updates;

Free online (via ZOOM) business support training sessions. 

Tuesday 24 March at 3:30pm.

Anderson Lloyd - on employment and workplace law. Numbers will be limited to allow for Q+A opportunities but multiple sessions will be held. More information here: COVID-19 Business Seminar: Employment Law, Contract Law and Health & Safety

Starting on Monday, 23 March

We all need to stay on the ball and keep building that resilience muscle as we move together through this new territory. To assist with that Queenstown Chamber of Commerce has organised a recurring Zoom video gathering "Stop and Slow Down for 20 minutes". Session times: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays starting from Monday, 23 March, 12-12.20pm and 7-7.20pm. More information here.

Immigration - Have questions about the impact of COVID-19 that aren’t currently answered on the website or on business.govt.nz? Please email your questions regarding immigration to ceo@queenstownchamber.org.nz  with IMMIGRATION QUERY in subject line. Your questions will be collated immediately and sent to Immigration NZ who have committed to respond to the Chamber within 24 hours. Please ensure you include your business name and contact details along with your questions.

Visa Info: If you are made redundant while on a work-based visa, the effect on your immigration status will depend on your visa conditions. All visa conditions remain in place despite the current Covid-19 outbreak and must be complied with. Click here for some advice from Anderson Lloyd on what to do.  

Reminder to apply now for the Wage Subsidy. The Government has put together a COVID-19 Wage Subsidy for employers in all regions.It’s to support your business if you are impacted by COVID and face laying off staff or reducing their hours because of COVID-19. More information about the Wage Subsidy

Next update: Tuesday 24 March, 2pm. We will continue to update the one on-line platform here over the weekend if new information comes to light.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Naomi at Ignite Wanaka on 021 942 502 or naomi@ignitewanaka.co.nz or James Helmore at Lake Wanaka Tourism on 021 229 1607 or james@wanaka.co.nz

Warm Regards,

Ignite Wanaka Board and Team

We are here to help so if you have any concerns, or are not getting the support you need, please contact us.