As our Taamaki and Te Whanganui-a-Tara whaanau continue to grapple with the reality of COVID-19 in their communities, Kiingi Tuheitia urges us all to look to our neighbours across the ocean as a reminder of what can happen when an outbreak spirals out of control. He reminds us that it is paramount that we follow the lockdown rules in order to prevent the worst case scenario from becoming our reality. 

While we continue the course with our lockdown measures and our vaccination roll-out, we cannot afford to become complacent. The Delta variant has spread all over the world, disrupting people’s lives, overwhelming hospital systems, and causing widespread sickness and death.

We don’t have to look very far to see a team of eight million who are entrenched in a fierce battle with the Delta variant. New South Wales has been in lockdown for nine weeks and freedoms won’t be restored anytime soon. For the past week, the state has recorded over 1,000 new cases of COVID-19 every day. Since the Sydney outbreak began in mid-June, there have been over 20,000 local cases reported and over 100 deaths. The skyrocketing number of infections is putting enormous strain on the city's health system. Significantly, younger people are getting sicker quicker and they make up the greater proportion of people in hospitals. This is partly due to higher vaccination rates among older people in New South Wales. 

We continue to stress the importance of vaccination for you and your whaanau. We know Maaori are already more vulnerable to COVID-19 because of the prevalence of health conditions like diabetes and asthma, and as a community, it is vital that we take the opportunity to safeguard our whaanau with vaccination. Anyone over the age of 12 can book their vaccination now at Book My Vaccine.

We acknowledge that many of our whaanau live in Sydney, and they are doing it tough right now, and we encourage anyone who needs support - for any reason - to call us on 0800 TAINUI.

Key updates

• There are 49 new cases of Covid-19 in the community. 720 in Auckland, and 16 in Wellington.
• There are 42 cases in the hospital; 6 of these are in ICU and of those, 3 are on a ventilator.
• At 11:50pm tonight, Northland will join, everywhere south of Auckland is in alert level 3. 
• Auckland remains in a strict level 4 lockdown for another two weeks.
• Aucklanders affected by flooding are reminded that evacuation advice overrides lockdown restrictions. Around 50 to 60 homes have been evacuated. Evacuation centres have been set up in the region.
• Scanning or signing in remains mandatory at public venues and events, and masks must also be worn in public. 
• The list of locations of interest list continues to shrink. This is because historical locations are being removed and the effect of lockdown can be seen as there are fewer new locations added. However, it is still important that whaanau check these new locations. 
• Anyone who visited these locations at the stated date and time must self-isolate, contact Healthline on 0800 358 5453 and get tested. 
• Household members of people who were at locations of interest must also self-isolate until that person has returned a negative test.
• Testing stations remain open and demand has eased. It is important that you get tested if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or if you visited a location of interest at the stated date and time. Visit Health Point to find testing centres near you. 

Applying to cross the Alert Level Boundary

As of 11:59 pm tonight, Taamaki will have a northern and southern border in place. While we have slightly more freedom in the Waikato rohe, we should continue to limit our movements as much as possible, and travel across the border is very restricted and police checkpoints are in place. If you are required to travel across the border for mahi, your employer will need to provide you with proof of eligibility - click below for more. 

Vaccinations 

• Vaccinations are continuing and anyone with an existing booking should attend their appointment unless notified otherwise, or if they are feeling unwell.
• Anyone over the age of 12 can book their vaccination now at Book My Vaccine. 
• Efforts are being made to increase the vaccination rate of essential workers, prioritising those in customer-facing roles.
• Extensive research and testing have confirmed that the Pfizer vaccine is safe for 12-15-year-olds. This age group can receive the vaccine from 1 September, OR eligible parents (those over 40) can book their children at the same time as themselves. 
• Maaori and Pasifika can now book the whole whaanau at one time as soon as one member is eligible. 
• The government assures us that the supply chain is strong and there are enough doses for everyone to be vaccinated. 

Mobile vaccination  

Te Reo UUkaipoo resources for whaanau

Tangihanga

• If your loved one has died from COVID-19 then it will be critical for the Police and/or Health Provider to support you with information on what to do next.  
• If your loved one has died from an unknown cause, a post-mortem will need to be undertaken. The Police will facilitate this process and will liaise directly with whaanau.
• A GP or Medical Practitioner will also need to complete the death certificate.
• Any whaanau wanting to make burial arrangements for Taupiri Maunga urupaa must contact Mr Tumate Mahuta on 0800 TAINUI (0800 824 684).

Taamaki whaanau 

Rent arrears

• You don't need to be on a benefit to qualify for this help.
• It's a one-off payment.
• You'll need to pay the money back. We'll put a repayment plan in place to suit your financial circumstances. 

• are 16 or older
• have signed the tenancy agreement (or you're a tenant by way of a Family Violence Act order)
• have overdue rent you need to pay
• maybe evicted because you haven't paid your rent
• are able to stay there if you pay the rent you owe, eg: 
• your tenancy isn't about to expire
• you can afford to keep paying the rent. 

• sickness or injury, or
• you're in a family violence situation, or
• a victim of violent crime

• getting NZ Super or Veteran's Pension, call Senior Services on 0800 552 002
• a student, call StudyLink on 0800 88 99 00
• getting another payment from WINZ, call 0800 559 009
• not getting any payments from WINZ, call 0800 559 009.

Support for businesses

There are a range of options to support businesses dealing with different circumstances such as having to close or reduce opening hours, any reduction of revenue, or if staff need to self-isolate. Business owners are encouraged to follow the link below to use the financial support tool. There is also a business support helpline where whaanau can ask questions and be guided through the application process.  

• Te Ika a Maaui – 0800 500 362   

• Te Waipounamu – 0800 505 096

COVID-19 testing centres 

• Tests are free (unless part of international travel conditions).
• Take your contact details with you (NHI numbers are helpful but not absolutely necessary).
• You can take a support person but you should both stay in your vehicle unless directed otherwise. 
• You need to isolate at home after your test until you receive a negative result. 

Pop up testing centres 

• No appointment is needed unless otherwise stated.
• Be prepared to wait and do not get out of the car (staff will take a swab through your car window).
• Please be kind to kaimahi and volunteers.