Summary Expect a few firecrackers at midnight when Auckland moves to level 3.2, with shops able to open and larger gatherings allowed. Air NZ is introducing vaccine proof or negative test requirements for travellers from mid-December.
Retail celebration Shops and libraries can open in Auckland from tonight, although odd, self-inflicted haircuts and dark roots will remain a feature as hairdressers’ doors remain shut. Gyms, bars and clubs will also remain shut. Medsafe has also approved a booster dose of Pfizer vaccines for people aged over 18, at least six months after the second dose.
Proof or test Air NZ has announced it will require vaccine proof or a negative test within 72 hours for travellers to fly from Dec 14. The new rules will remain in place until at least March, and follow what the airline describes as overwhelming demand from passengers and staff who want to keep themselves safe.
MPs return MPs based in Auckland and Hamilton will be able to return as the new week in parliament begins today, after a rule change. Previously, Speaker Trevor Mallard mandated a five-day isolation rule that made the Wellington commute difficult. Several MPs remained in Wellington, but a number chose to stay home.
Traffic disruption Anti-vaxx protestors trying to force a quick end to covid restrictions are on track to blockade Auckland’s border, disrupt traffic in cities around NZ and march on Parliament today. The government has foreshadowed November 29 as freedom day.
Weed killer value An industry group for NZ’s pesticide companies has released a commissioned report on the benefits of weed killer glyphosate to the NZ economy, as the government considers banning it. The NZIER report estimates herbicides are worth up to $8.6 billion to NZ agriculture, with an average impact on output of up to 20%.
ETS participants ranked The Environmental Protection Authority has published its first list of NZ’s largest emitters under new rules introduced under ETS reforms. Farmer-owned Fonterra leads the list along with the likes of family-owned natural gas company Todd Energy, and meat companies Silver Fern, Affco and Alliance Group. The meat companies were included as emissions are accounted for when animals are slaughtered rather than while they are actually producing methane emissions. Z Energy is listed as responsible for almost twice the level of emissions as its nearest competitor, BP. Genesis Energy and NZ Steel were responsible for the biggest emissions among coal importers.
Foot down Car dealer Armstrong’s is considering a dual listing in NZ and Australia next year. Founded by Rick Armstrong in 1993 and now led by CEO Troy Kennedy, Armstrong’s operates 15 dealerships selling 16 vehicle brands in Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland. Armstrong’s CEO Troy Kennedy suggested the company’s future was in electric, hybrid and more efficient cars, saying: “The business is at a scale with the right systems and leadership team in place to put our foot down on emerging opportunities as New Zealand’s vehicle fleet starts to go through significant structural change in the race to put more Reduced Emission Vehicles on the road.”
Succession Jim Delegat is stepping down from the chair of the eponymous winemaker, but will still have a hand in driving Delegat Group’s strategy alongside incoming managing director Steve Carden. Delegat has been at the core of building the winemaker into a billion-dollar company and will remain an executive director when he hands over the chair to Alan Jackson in February, contributing to its strategic direction and key projects. The handover coincides with the arrival of Carden as managing director, who reshaped state-owned Landcorp Farming beyond maximising on-farm returns into adding value beyond the farmgate.
Markets update The Dow Jones industrials fell off its record high reached in earlier trading to be up overall by 0.15% in early afternoon Monday trading in the US, with the Nasdaq climbing 0.1%, and the S&P 500 remaining flat. The boost was provided by the successful passage of US President Jo Biden’s massive infrastructure bill late during NZ’s weekend, raising share prices for related industry groups such as steelmakers, construction machinery, heavy construction, cement, transportation equipment and metals distributors. London’s FTSE 100 closed 0.05% lower, with gains from mining and gold companies offset by losses from large dollar earners, including Unilever, British American Tobacco and Diageo, as the pound gained strength. The Stoxx 50 dropped 0.2%, the CAC was up 0.1% and the DAX was down 0.1%.
