RNZN COMMUNICATORS ASSOCIATION REUNION

Dear Fellow Communicator,

It is with much regret that I must advise you that the reunion planned for April 2022 will not be held.  

The current situation with the COVID-19 virus in New Zealand and the expected breakout of the Omicron variant into the community are considered such that it would be imprudent to hold the reunion.  While vaccination passports were required to attend the reunion, the vaccinations themselves (including booster shots) do not prevent people from getting infected with the virus, they only make the effects less severe.  With the Omicron variant being far more transmissible if there were an outbreak between now and the reunion it could well affect people’s ability to attend the reunion, or even their willingness to attend it.

You may recall that the RNZNCA Committee postponed the reunion from 2021 to 2022 due to restrictions introduced by the Government.  The committee also postponed making a final decision on the reunion until 17 January, when the Government was due to announce any changes to the COVID-19 Protection Framework (Traffic Lights) system and what the way ahead may be.  This announcement did not eventuate and the plans for dealing with the virus are unknown.  This vacillating by the Government has not given a clear picture of what may be expected over the next few months, particularly not with the Omicron variant lurking in the wings.  

The reunion could be held under CPF Level Orange, but should the Government introduce Level Red in Taranaki or New Plymouth it would have to be cancelled.  In this case, the Association would not be liable for any costs, but people attending may not be able to get their travel costs reimbursed if the reunion could not go ahead.

Accordingly, proceeding with the reunion was considered too risky, not only for the health of members attending the reunion but also for financial penalties being incurred by members not able to get travel cost refunds.

While the decision was not unanimous, it was agreed that we could not continue to put things off and decide at yet another date.  So, the decision was made to call the reunion off; it better to be safe than sorry.

All registration/reunion fees will be refunded to those members who registered.  Reunion attendees are requested to email the treasurer@rnzncomms.org their service number and their bank account details so that funds can be refunded expeditiously.  It is anticipated that all funds will be deposited by the end of February 2022.

Those people with accommodation bookings at the Novotel should cancel their bookings directly with the hotel at the earliest opportunity.

As previously advised, the next reunion will be held in 2024.  The venue for this reunion will be notified in due course.

Gary Houghton

President