COVID-19 Updates

At Tech Futures Lab the health and safety of our learners, partners, staff and wider whānau is our number one priority.

In order to make sure we can keep everyone safe, we’ve outlined all the processes, protocols and potential changes that may take place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns around Aotearoa.

COVID Alert Level Protocols

The Red, Orange and Green levels in the COVID-19 Protection Framework Traffic Light System each have different requirements and activities that are allowed. Some details around Orange and Green levels relating to tertiary institutes are still being confirmed, however here is what we at The Mind Lab & Tech Futures Lab have in place now.

Red Level

  • Lab access will remain closed to students under the Red level COVID-19 Protection Framework for the remainder of 2021. For easy planning and some certainty, all classes will run online until the end of January 2022.
  • At the Red level, as per the Government requirements, all those coming onsite (learners, staff, and any others) will be required to provide proof of vaccination through their My Vaccine Pass.
  • When face-to-face classes can resume there will be online variations of all face-to-face sessions offered, and your Programme teams will give you details on the online learning option as and when these come up.
  • For those coming onsite, the capacity of our learning space will be determined based on 1m distancing, and public health measures such as scanning in, signing our H&S register, and wearing face masks will be required and closely monitored.
  • To keep everyone safe we are avoiding handshakes, hugs, hongi, high fives, and fist pumps.
  • Stay home if you’re sick, awaiting COVID test results, considered close contact, or identified as being at a location of interest.
  • Wash your hands regularly, cover your nose and mouth with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough/sneeze.

Vaccinations

  • As mentioned, anyone coming onsite to our HQ at 99 Khyber Pass Road, Grafton, Tāmaki Makaurau will be required to provide proof of vaccination through their My Vaccine Pass.
  • No students will be turned away from enrolling in 2022, or disadvantaged if they choose to learn online, as our programmes are primarily taught online. We will do our best to ensure any face-to-face learning experience is as similar as possible for those learning online.
  • All staff at The Mind Lab and Tech Futures Lab who are onsite, or interacting with any learners, are fully vaccinated.

Please visit the Government’s COVID-19 website if you have any further questions regarding requirements, and we will continually update this webpage as new information is provided to us.

If you have any questions regarding these protocols and processes, please get in touch with us at kiaora@techfutureslab.com or call (09) 964 4444.

Support for you

Questions & Concerns

If you have any questions or concerns about COVID-19 or the lockdown, please let your Programme Lead, Programme Manager or Programme Coordinator know. We will keep you all updated if there are any further details that emerge.

Hardship Allowance For Learners (HAFL):

The Hardship Fund for Learners from the Ministry of Education is intended to support those who have been most impacted by COVID-19 to help keep them in study. Support is available to those who are enrolled or applied to enrol prior to the 31st August (COVID-19) and are currently still enrolled.

Students can apply by filling out the Hardship Fund Application Form and emailing it to studentsupport@themindlab.com.

Mental Health Resources:

References: www.business.govt.nz/covid-19/operating-at-alert-levels/