Children, Shared Custody and the Covid Vaccine
On 1 December 2021 the Covid-19 Response Minister, Chris Hipkins, announced that Covid-19 vaccinations for children aged 5 to 11 years are expected to start before the end of January 2022. The dose to be provided will be lower than that provided to adults. The Pfizer vaccine is already being administered to children of this age in America. This will become increasingly important as the Delta variant has shown that zyoung people, particularly those who are unvaccinated, are more susceptible to contracting it and requiring hospitalisation.
The Future of Adoption Law in New Zealand
The Government is in the midst of a review of current adoption laws signaling potential change on the horizon for adoption in New Zealand.
The review stems from criticisms that the law as it stands, (largely unchanged since the Adoption Act 1955 was enacted 66 years ago), is increasingly unfit for purpose because it fails to accurately reflect modern societal values and adoption practices. The Government’s intent is to modernise the existing legislation to reflect contemporary expectations, values, and adoption practices and ensure consistency with principles of other child-centred legislation.
What you need to know about the My Vaccine Pass
A My Vaccine Pass is an official record of your Covid-19 vaccination status for use in New Zealand. Having a pass will allow you to access certain events, entertainment and dining facilities, and other venues operating under the new Covid-19 Protection Framework (traffic light system) which comes into force in New Zealand on Friday 3 November 2021.
Worker availability - is 24/7, 365 legal?
A recent decision of the Employment Court is set to change the working hours and structure of ‘wharfies’ (waterfront workers) around New Zealand, after a stevedoring contractor which operates around the country has had availability provisions in their employment agreements declared unlawful.
Discretionary Bonus Payments - a significant win for employers
On 26 October 2021, the Court of Appeal released their decision Metropolitan Glass & Glazing Limited v Labour Inspector, Ministry of Business and Innovation and Employment which overturned the previous employment court decision.
