Richard Grant
[FYI request #17782 email]
Dear Richard
I refer to your official information request dated 1 December 2021 for:
“Under the guidance for public sector workplaces on the business.govt.no website
(https://www.business.govt.nz/covid-19/covid-19-protection-framework/services/) in “red” regions
“Workplaces are open with working from home encouraged if appropriate to the workplace”.
This request for information relates to how agencies are treating staff who are located in “red” regions
and who are able to work adequately from home. Please can you advise which of the agencies for
which you are responsible (including Crown Research Institutes) are encouraging such staff to work
from home, and which are not?”
Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development will operate in the following
conditions under each different traffic light:
Work at Red: People are strongly encouraged to work from home and only work from the office by
exception. No visitors are permitted.
Work at Orange: Offices are open – with some caution to ensure 1 metre distancing. Consider
alternative arrangements for visitors.
Work at Green: Offices are open – no restrictions on workplace access.
Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities also follows the COVID-19 Protection Framework guidance. Kāinga
Ora staff in regions that are under the “red” setting of the COVID-19 Protection Framework are encouraged
to work from home. I have included an internal Kāinga Ora document which provides information on this
policy.
The Government continues to refine how it is applying the new system, so we will adapt as we go. We will
ensure we keep aligned to Government and public service expectations to keep everyone safe at work.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information about
how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely
Hon Dr Megan Woods
Minister of Housing
