Jo Raphael: We need clarity on essential workers

The Wiggles Emma, Lachy, Anthony and Simon. Photo / File

OPINION

I've been known to chuckle along to a bit of Russell Howard humour.

He's a funny guy and talks a lot of sense.

The UK comedian's in the country at the moment all in the name of comedy.

In fact, he did a gig in Tauranga on Sunday.

I get it. He's a big name, likely to attract the numbers, deemed "good for the economy".

Same with the Wiggles. I'm not really the target audience but I know some small people who are mad for them and who have parents who would do anything to give the wee ones an hour or two of joy.

The Wiggles' first tour in New Zealand since before lockdown appeared to be in jeopardy after the minor issue of quarantine seemed to get overlooked.

But hooray! The gig's back on – with 12 spots miraculously opening up to accommodate the Wiggles and their team. Anxious parents around the country are simultaneously breathing a sigh of relief.

However, international artists Sean Kingston, Kolohe Kai, Steel Pulse, and Chaka Demus were scheduled to perform this year but three weeks out from the One Love festival in the Bay of Plenty, it was announced they are no longer able to attend due to ongoing travel restrictions and low stock for quarantine spots.

There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to why some acts are admitted and others are not.

An Immigration New Zealand spokesperson told NZME recently all requests for a border exception for individuals in the arts and entertainment industry are assessed against the same 'other critical worker' criteria as any other request for a worker, as set out in immigration instructions.

Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi was at pains to reiterate that the country's borders remain closed.

It's also unclear if the Government deems local cruising essential – after having granted luxury passenger ship Le Laperouse an exemption by the Ministry of Health to enter New Zealand. But only 25 per cent of the crew had their visas accepted.

Faafoi said the approval was given on the condition the ship got the necessary visas from Immigration New Zealand. He went on to say the ship should have waited for decisions on visas to be completed before it set sail.

All that may be true but surely some clarity, from both ministries, should have been given to the ship's managers and crew, regarding its obligations. Now the ship faces having to turn back or docking and then sending away its portion of the crew who were denied their visas.

The recent community Covid-19 positive cases prove just how fragile our new normal is, so a balance needs to be reached between our public health and our economy - and the Government needs to be crystal clear about it.