When Auckland was thrown back into Level 3 lockdown, the super city’s borders became completely unworkable for those working in horticulture and agriculture. Animal welfare issues quickly arose as farmers were unable to get a vet across the border without a five-day wait for an exemption; stock couldn’t be fed; 2.5 million bees starved to death; freight movements were held up for hours at the overwhelmed road blocks.
If agriculture or its Minister genuinely had a seat at the Covid-response planning table, this level of operational detail – which health officials seem ignorant of – might have been sorted out in advance.
