Auckland gym gets $12,000 penalty for defying New Zealand’s vaccine mandate

The Oliver MMA gym in Auckland has been fined $12,000 for defying New Zealand’s COVID-19 mandate and remaining open to unvaccinated exercisers.

Workplace and safety agency, WorkSafe, found the combat sports gym in violation of the New Zealand Government mandate that requires all gyms and businesses to ensure staff and patrons are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The fine, of $4000 for each of three infringements were issued in in December for breaches of COVID rules.

As reported by the New Zealand Herald in December, WorkSafe Head of Specialist Interventions, Simon Humphries advised “this business has continued to operate in breach of the rules. That’s not fair to the high number of businesses and organisations who have changed how they operate to keep people safe

However, Oliver MMA owners Steve and Krissy Oliver, told the publication that they intend to remain open for the foreseeable future after hundreds of New Zealanders had been turned away elsewhere.

A defiant Krissy Oliver was reported as saying "it doesn't actually matter what MBIE (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment) or the police say to us at the moment, it's not going to change what we're doing.

"We could get arrested, we could get thousands and thousands of dollars worth of fines, but the parents coming to the door are saying if you guys get fined we'll fund-raise for that.”

The pair were also reported as having stated “we care about them (our members) and have put in extra measures to ensure that we are helping them to get the right support and to be there for them.”

Subsequent reports suggest that the New Lynn gym’s stance has seen it welcome an "influx" of children and new members, with Krissy Oliver going on to explain “we're getting kids who have been kicked out of their rugby teams and tag teams, adults kicked out of their gyms. They're all coming to us.”

Oliver went on to note that she didn't know the household vaccination status of the children using the gym, but estimated about half of them have unvaccinated parents or family members who have been unable to bring them to other sporting activities like swimming.

Under New Zealand’s red and orange COVID alert settings, gyms and indoor recreation facilities like dance and yoga studios can only open if they follow vaccine pass requirements.

Children under 12 are exempt from the rule but sports and recreation activities often require vaccinated parents to be in attendance.

Image: The Oliver MMA gym (top, credit: Google Earth) and the gym's 'All Welcome' message displayed on its Facbook page (below).