Covid-19: Northland businesses feeling the crunch as Waitangi Day events canned

Friday, 4 February 2022

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says Northlanders should continue to encourage people to get vaccinated, and responds to the cancellation of 2022 Waitangi Day celebrations.

Businesses around Paihia and Russell are feeling the crunch as would usually be a bustling Waitangi Day weekend dawns.

In person Te Tiriti commemorations on both the upper and lower marae have been cancelled as local hapū take Covid-19 precautions.

The area, which is usually so full that cars are parked up on the kerb, is now eerily quiet, according to business owners.

Vinnie Pivac, the owner of the restaurants Zane Grey’s and the Pizza Shack in Paihia, said at this point, he was used to the disappointment after months of Covid-19 restrictions.

Te Tiriti commemorations usually draw in visitors from around the country. (File photo)

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In January, Northland was moved back to the red traffic light setting after just three days at orange due to a community outbreak of Omicron.

Zane Grey's restaurant in Paihia had large group bookings cancelled after Waitangi Day events were called off.

“I just had a little laugh – but we now have to get on with it,” he said.

“Get on with the day-to-day survival and stop worrying about the disappointments.”

Crowds gather early in the morning at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds to celebrate the signing of Te Tiriti. (file photo)

Pivac had large group bookings cancelled after Waitangi Day celebrations were called off.

That was a huge low to business, he said.

The Duke of Marlborough is projecting a big loss in revenue compared to previous years.

“We were hoping for those domestic tourists to come up anyway, but with the [forecast] clouds, wind and rain, I don’t think that’s likely.”

Pivac was glad there was light at the end of the tunnel though, after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced international tourists would be let into the country later in the year.

Coming up to 2022, he had a plan to walk away from the place and avoid bankruptcy, he said, but now that announcement had been made, the team would fight to keep it alive.

“We just need a little support over winter – go out, spend the weekend away.”

Just down the road at the Admirals View Lodge, the 11 rooms that were normally fully booked at this time of year sat empty.

Owner Penny Davidson-Boles said not only were there fewer people around, she had to drop the rates she was charging people in order to get business.

“Between Auckland Anniversary weekend and Waitangi Day, this should have been two of our busiest weeks in our season.”

If there was a good summer season later in the year when tourists came in, that would be great, she said, but questioned how many businesses would make it until then.

Duke of Marlborough co-owner Riki Kinnaird said the weekend was going to be a train wreck for businesses.

The Duke was forecasting revenue to be down by 50-60 per cent due to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds closure, and warnings around travel.

“The Government now needs to provide targeted support for Northland businesses who have effectively been in forced lockdown since last August and now need help to get to next Christmas.”