PM urged to reconsider regional opening for Tairawhiti

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Chamber of Commerce president Paul Naske says the Prime Minister should reconsider a “regional approach” and take Tairawhiti down to Alert Level 2 sooner than other districts.

Mr Naske and National East Coast MP Anne Tolley both say they want the district to get back to work.

This week Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern again rejected a regional approach where rural provinces like Tairawhiti, with no recent cases of Covid-19, could have economic activity loosened from lockdown restrictions.

Mayor Rehette Stoltz also wants to boost the economy but favours a more cautious approach..

“We are very keen to get our local economy and businesses up and running as soon as possible but alongside that, we have to balance the health and safety needs of the Tairawhiti residents,” she said.

“I do respect the alert levels introduced by the Government, and I will be engaging with the Government and having those discussions going forward.

“The Prime Minister made it clear that once we are in Level 2, they might consider region-wide approaches.

“I will definitely support an approach where we as a region can safely operate in Level 1.

“But with that will come regulations to control regional movement as we would not want to take the chance of re-introducing Covid-19 into Tairawhiti.

“Those logistics will have to be sorted before that approach can be taken.”

Mr Naske said the chamber was keen to get the region back to work.

There was a strong case for a regional approach.

“I would encourage the Prime Minister to reconsider.”

Mrs Tolley said the district had a very low presence of Covid-19 and no evidence of community spread as shown by continuous testing.

Tairawhiti should be able to “open up for business”.

“What is the difference? If building, forestry, takeaways and supermarkets can manage it, why can't other businesses?”

Mrs Tolley, also the Deputy Speaker of the House, said people had managed their own safety well.

“I have felt from the start that a ‘one in, one out' system could have been allowed for more food outlets.

“The Government doesn't seem to realise the carnage that is awaiting our local small and medium-sized businesses after seven weeks with no income.”

The Prime Minister said she may consider a regional approach in the future.