TLDR & TLDL: The Government looks set to have to forge ahead on November 29 with a reopening well before the ‘fringe’ DHBs of Tairawhiti and Northland have even hit a 90% first dose rate, let alone a second dose.
One way it may reduce the risks is by creating a double-vaccination ‘boundary’ around Auckland for the summer, which would put a big dampener on plans for a ‘normal’ ‘Kiwi summer’, and/or leaving the rest of NZ at level two, both of which are currently not expected by exhausted and frustrated double vaccinated voters in Auckland and elsewhere, and would have large social and economic effects. (See more on that below, including stats on when the ‘last’ DHB is set to go over 90% — spoiler alert the best case scenario is mid January and more likely February)
Elsewhere in scoops and news overnight, a Chinese diplomat warned NZ overnight that Beijing thinks Australia will inevitably try to get hold of nuclear weapons to go with its new nuclear-powered submarines. (Stuff)
Coming up today, I’ll be focused on Reserve Bank of New Zealand Governor Adrian Orr’s speech on housing due later this morning, and the Reserve Bank of Australia’s big interest rate announcement later this afternoon. Remember, the RBA was effectively forced to back down on its defence of a 0.1% three year interest rate last week.
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