Pukaha has chosen to postpone its open day in the name of safety. PHOTO/TOM TAYLOR
Pukaha National Wildlife Centre has postponed its annual community open day until early next year.
The event was initially scheduled for October 17, 2021, but would now take place on February 13, 2022.
Pukaha marketing and community engagement co-ordinator Alex Wall said that due to the number of attendees expected, the open day could only feasibly go ahead at alert level 1.
In previous years, the event had attracted from 1200 to 1500 people.
“We are incredibly sorry that we are not able to run this year’s event and wish to thank all of the sponsors, stallholders, charities, volunteers, businesses, and community groups who were planning to be involved,” Wall said.
General manager Emily Court said although large gatherings were possible under the latest government guidance, Pukaha was not confident that it could maintain social distancing at an open day.
“We’re erring on the conservative side and keeping everyone safe,” Court said. “We’d rather do it when we can be 100 per cent confident that it’s the right thing to do.”
Last week, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that there were no longer any restrictions on the number of people who could attend an event at alert level 2, as long as people could stay one metre apart. Attendees of any event were also encouraged to wear a face-covering where possible.
