Coronavirus: Aucklanders must 'Be Kind' as economic fallout brings tough times

Friday, 7 August 2020

Auckland became a ghost town during the level 4 lockdown, with deserted streets, motorways and beaches. (Video first published in March 2020)

OPINION: If there was such as thing as a coronavirus “sweet spot”, maybe we are living it now.

For the price of admission, you can join the tens of thousands of people pouring into Eden Park to watch the Super Rugby Aotearoa spectacle, the country’s top players doing their thing, at times, on a weekend afternoon.

Where else in the world is that possible? Or even simpler pleasures, such as a trip to a park or beach, without so much as a thought about Covid-19 protection.

However, even if community transmission of the virus can be kept at bay, Aucklanders face challenging times as the economic consequences begin to ripple across the city.

* Auckland Council contract cleaners to get living wage following Covid-19 pay cut

The messages that guided Auckland through lockdown, will take on a new importance.

* Grant Robertson: Mortgage holidays could be extended, wage subsidy back if needed

Job losses have begun by the thousands, at Air New Zealand, Auckland Airport, retailers including The Warehouse, hospitality and Auckland Council.

That is even before the likely end on September 1, of the Government’s Covid-19 wage subsidy which has only temporarily preserved an unknown number of jobs.

Going domestic rather than global has attracted fans in unprecedented numbers to Eden Park Super Rugby games.

Auckland will, more than ever, become a city of haves and have-nots, between those with an income sufficient to secure a roof over their head, put food on the table and lead healthy lives, and those without.

No-one knows how deep the economic slowdown will be, but one Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) estimate suggests another 40,000 Aucklanders could lose their jobs.

Auckland Council’s The Southern Initiative (TSI) believes a disproportionate number will be in the poorer south and west communities, already with higher-than-average joblessness.

While the economic safety net will be a government responsibility, Aucklanders will need to dust off the lockdown “kindness” mentality in ways that might be testing.

Auckland’s construction waste could become a job-creator in a Covid-19 recovery plan in south Auckland.

Community services, and events will become more important to support spirits, and Auckland Council may need to do more – notwithstanding the financial constraints of its Covid-19-hit Emergency Budget.

It might also become a time for radical ideas, such as the proposals being developed by TSI for a new focus on higher value, green and high-tech jobs, preferably in locally-owned enterprises.

A raft of ideas, some already proven on a small but important scale, may end up being put to the incoming government or council for backing, and positive public sentiment will help that process.

An example floated by TSI is a large-scale recycling centre in the south, that could find new value in up to 1.6 million tonnes of largely-commercial waste that goes into landfills.

TSI envisages local enterprises, re-using the materials, could be part of a cluster.

It is not rocket science, and only an increase in scale on Friday’s announcement that the Government has granted $10 million to the council to pump-up community recycling centres, creating 50 new jobs.

There remains also the risk of tougher water use restrictions, with Auckland’s water storage dams near 60 per cent full, compared to a norm of almost 86 per cent, with manufacturing cuts a summer possibility.

Maybe in summer it will be time to consider fare-free public transport days, or offer free entry to attractions such as Auckland Zoo, using tickets distributed in targetted areas.

These sort of initiatives would normally be certain to spark criticism about wasting public money – but where Auckland is heading is probably anything but normal.

Auckland Council should not forget its part in improving daily life in communities that may struggle, no matter how tightly it might want to keep the purse strings.

The most important role though will be played by Aucklanders.

This is not a time to be gloomy, but a time to be thoughtful, and be aware of the unseen stresses that may be developing in lives of those around us. It is that simple message – Be Kind, Stay Calm.