In a recent interview Erika Whittome discusses an ongoing Employment Court case involving 33 Air New Zealand staff – mostly pilots –who were placed on unpaid leave for refusing Covid-19 mRNA vaccinations during 2021–2022.
This was due to a company policy, not a government mandate.
Speaking to independent investigative reporter Penny Marie, Whittome, who was an observer at last week’s Employment Court hearing, explains that the staff weren’t fired but were offered “leave without pay”, during which they couldn’t work elsewhere and had no guarantee of being rehired. The group claims this policy breached their rights under employment law, particularly because the company didn’t follow standard risk assessment procedures under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Pilots testified that their decisions were based on safety training and professional judgment, not ‘misinformation’. The Civil Aviation Authority had imposed a no-fly period after vaccination, raising further safety questions. Witnesses also alleged that vaccine promotion was prioritised over genuine health assessments, and internal communications encouraged using psychological methods to boost compliance among staff.
Legacy mainstream media coverage of the case has been minimal, despite its potential to set a legal precedent. Whittome emphasised the importance of independent journalism in covering such cases, as the public may not be fully aware of the issues or the upcoming Royal Inquiry into the Covid-19 response.
The final court submissions are expected to be heard in early April, with a ruling anticipated within three months. The claimants seek compensation for lost wages and damages for being placed on enforced leave.
This article was originally published by the Daily Telegraph New Zealand.
