Marae update - 30 August 2021

As many of us look ahead to a move to Alert Level 3, Kiingi Tuheitia reminds whaanau that we can each contribute to the wellbeing of the collective by staying home, sticking to the rules and getting vaccinated. Not only will this protect our immediate communities, it will also support the efforts of our whaanau in Taamaki, who will remain at Alert Level 4 for now. 

Whether you're at Alert Level 3 or 4, we know that the lockdown restrictions are beginning to take a toll on many whaanau. We encourage you to contact us on 0800 TAINUI if you need any support. We have also included a link to our Te Reo Uukaipoo resources - we hope that these will help whaanau use this period of isolation to strengthen their use of the reo in their whare. 

After nearly two full weeks at Alert Level 4, we are also thinking of our essential workers who have continued their mahi at hospitals and medical centres, supermarkets and dairies and of course the frontline services that keep our communities safe. Because of them, the rest of us have been able to stay safe in our bubbles while still being able to access the essential services we need to get by. 

Kia kaha tonu taatou ki te whai i ngaa tikanga haumaru, ki te kaainga, ki aa taatou mirumiru hoki. Remember to wear your masks, wash your hands, and stay at home.

Key updates

• There are 53 new cases today, bringing the total to 562. This includes 547 cases in Auckland and 15 cases in Wellington.
• Thirty-seven cases have been hospitalised and of those five are in ICU. Two are in a stable condition while three have been ventilated. 
• All of Aotearoa south of the Auckland boundary will move to Alert Level 3 at 11:59pm on Tuesday 31 August. 
• Scanning or signing remains mandatory at public venues and events, and masks must also be worn in public. 
• The locations of interest list has shrunk from over 500 locations to 450. 
• While the historical locations are being removed, it is important to note that new locations are being added and whaanau should continue to check the list. 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. 

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 30 can book their vaccination now at Book My Vaccine. 
• Efforts are being made to increase vaccination rate of essential workers, prioritising those in customer-facing roles.
• Extensive research and testing has 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 

NCEA dates

Energy hardship 

• use your best endeavours to pay at least 80 per cent of each named employee’s ordinary wages or salary; and
• pay at least the full amount of the subsidy to each named employee; but
• where the ordinary wages or salary of a named employee as at 16 August 2021 is lawfully below the amount of the subsidy, pay the employee that amount.

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 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

Applying to cross the Alert Level Boundary

When the rest of the country south of Auckland moves to level 3, the ability to move across alert level borders will be limited. Police checkpoints will be set up to prevent needless travel. Whaanau should continue to make sure that their movements are solely for necessary reasons. Businesses need to provide their staff with proof of eligibility to travel across an Alert Level Boundary, such as the documentation generated by MBIE’s Business Travel Register. 

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.