Councils around the country are applying the new traffic light rules differently when it comes to people using pools and libraries.
Christchurch's council is among one of the strictest on rules for Covid-19 vaccination requirements for use of its public facilities. Photo: RNZ / Dan Dalgety
From tomorrow some will be asking you to show a Covid passport known as My Vaccine Pass before you can get in, but others will not.
One of those choosing not to require proof of vaccination is Waitaki District Council.
Its website said the new system was "pretty much business as normal".
To use the pool and library in Oamaru you just needed a mask and to scan in using your Covid tracer app.
District mayor Gary Kircher said they were taking their lead from the government.
"We're a district that still hasn't had a Covid case at all and you know there may be a level of complacency. Certainly it's my intention that if Covid is present in our community, that we tighten up those restrictions quite quickly."
Kircher said if it was up to him they would require vaccine certificates, but in this case elected members were leaving it up to council staff to apply the rules.
"We want to make sure those who are just genuinely hesitant, have the opportunity to actually get in there. I think there's enough other restrictions happening that it'll help encourage them."
It was the same situation in Invercargill where most of the council's services would be available to the vaccinated and unvaccinated alike.
But council chief executive Clare Hadley said that could all change after a full meeting of the council considered their approach on Tuesday.
"We have an unusual power in the sense that we collect rates which is effectively a tax. I think that it's something that we should do in partnership with elected members. They receive the feedback from the community and I would like them to be involved in this decision making."
No Auckland Council facilities, such as the Auckland Art Gallery, will be available to the unvaccinated. Photo: Public Domain
At the other end of the country in Auckland it would be anything but business as usual when the traffic lights got switched on.
From 5am tomorrow, gym bunnies would be allowed to work out in council facilities for the first time in months, and from Monday the city's swimming pools would re-open.
The doors would also be flung open at libraries, galleries and museums.
However none of this would be available to the unvaccinated.
Auckland Council spokesperson Claudia Wyss said it was all about keeping people safe.
"We've been really wanting to make sure that we can do absolutely everything we can to protect people in our community who might be vulnerable and also protect children who can't yet have the vaccination because they're under the age of 12."
But the unvaccinated would not be completely shut out.
"We have really popular click and collect services at our libraries and we'll be continuing that, we're looking at providing outdoor seating for Wi-Fi services for people who want to use the Wi-Fi... and for our active week, we're looking at outdoor [exercise] classes."
Dr Wyss said at the red setting, there would still be capacity limits at many places.
She was pleading with Aucklanders to be patient and remember that while council staff were in charge of applying the rules, they were not responsible for coming up with them.
Most of the councils in the Wellington region including Wellington City Council, Hutt City Council and Kāpiti Coast District Council will require people to show a Covid pass to use most of their public facilities such as swimming pools and libraries.
The exception is Upper Hutt City Council will not require a vaccine passport at most of its public facilities when entering the traffic system tomorrow.
The council operates the libraries, civic square, the aquatic centre, and neighbouring cafe.
Chief executive Peter Kelly said it wanted to keep public spaces accessible and equitable for the community. It will however require the passes at its art and recreation centre.