Teenaa taatou katoa. Kia mataara tonu e te iwi, kua hoki mai anoo te taniwha terepaa ki waenganui i a taatou, me manaaki tonu i ngoo taatou whaanau me ngoo taatou hapori whaanui. Maa taatou katoa e kaupare atu i teenei mate. Maa taa taatou whai i ngaa ture whakahaumaru ka ora ai te iwi.

In the wake of news that COVID-19 has crossed the border, Kiingi Tuheitia reminds all whaanau living in Waikato and Taamaki to be vigilant. With most of the Waikato-Tainui rohe now at Alert Level 3, Kiingi Tuheitia asks everyone to carefully follow the lockdown measures that are in place for our protection. He reminds us that the wellbeing of our people is paramount, and the best way to look after our whaanau is to stay home as much as possible, get tested if you have any symptoms, and keep encouraging everyone to get vaccinated. 

While the news has focused on the two new cases discovered in the Waikato, case numbers in Taamaki remain steady with 33 yesterday and 28 today. It is of particular concern to learn that two peepi have contracted the virus, showing that Delta does not discriminate. Today, the Prime Minister announced a road map to incrementally reduce Alert Level 3 restrictions in Taamaki.  For now, Taamaki remains at Alert Level 3 for another week. However, several key changes to this setting will come into effect tomorrow: 

• Outdoor catch-ups with one other household allowed at a limit of 10, with masks to be worn when not eating and distanced while eating.
• Early childhood education will reopen with bubbles of 10. All teaches must be tested. 
• More recreation is allowed, with activities such as going to the beach, bowls and hunting allowed as long as it is outside and at a 10 person maximum

The rest of the country (outside of the Waikato) will remain in alert level two but the 100 person gathering cap lifted. The spread of Delta into the Waikato demonstrates how essential the Taamaki borders are, how elusive the virus is, and how important it is we get vaccinated. Authorities decided it was too difficult to stand up a border around the Waikato. Instead, police have increased their presence and are patrolling Waikato roads conducting spot checks. They will be making sure people are only travelling for essential reasons. Until we know how widely the virus has spread it is critical that Waikato whaanau stay home as much as possible and don’t take any unnecessary risks.

Finally, we want to acknowledge all the whaanau who turned up in Waikato and Taamaki to be tested and get vaccinated. In this paanui, you will find details of where you can find testing and vaccinations centres near you. 

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 have been 81 new cases of COVID-19 in the Auckland community since our last paanui, including 29 today. 
• Of these 29, eight remain unlinked.
• Yesterday, two cases were discovered in Waikato. Although the Waikato cases are linked to each other they have not been linked to the Auckland outbreak. 
• Last night, most of Waikato joined Taamaki on Alert Level 3 for the next five days. The map below shows where Alert Level 3 is in place. Click on it to follow a link to the COVID-19 website where you can check your address. 
• This takes the total cases linked to this outbreak to 1,349.
• There are 30 cases in the hospital, five of whom are in intensive care. 
• There are still a number of known contacts in self-isolation who may test positive in the coming days.
• There are still restrictions around crossing the Alert Level boundaries, including a negative COVID-19 test when you are leaving the Auckland region for elsewhere. Click here for more. 
• The full list of locations of interest is here.
• It is important that whaanau check any 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.

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. If you live in Taamaki and your booking is not until October, you are encouraged to look at the website again to see if there is an earlier date. 
• A number of vaccination buses, drive-through and walk-in vaccination clinics are popping up across the motu including those listed below.
• Efforts are being made to increase the 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 now receive the vaccine. For more information on how to make a booking for 12-15-year-olds please click here.  

Walk-in vaccination clinics

The following is a list of walk-in vaccinations run by the Waikato DHB and their providers. No need to book - just check the schedule below and drop in. The DHB will be adding more dates and locations here as they firm up their schedules. Vaccinations are free, safe and the best way to protect the whaanau. You can also be vaccinated at a range of other locations across Waikato, including GPs and pharmacies. See Healthpoint for those options.

Te Papanui Trust Vaccination Clinic 

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.

Raglan Rugby Grounds Car Park
Cross Street
Monday 4 October
10am-4.30pm

Claudelands Event Centre
Claudelands, Hamilton
8am-8pm until further notice

Founders Theatre Carpark
Entrance off Norton Road and exit onto Tristram Street. 
Monday-Sunday     
8am-8pm

South Waikato Pacific Islands Community Services
1 Maraetai Road, Tokoroa
Tuesday-Thursday
10am-3pm

Walk-in or drive-in vaccination clinics

The Maaori-led operated vaccination centres are:

• Henderson Vaccination Centre, 28 Catherine Street, Henderson 
• Taamaki (Glen Innes) Vaccination Centre, 261 Morrin Road, St Johns 
• Manurewa Vaccination Centre, 81 Finlayson Avenue, Clendon Park, Manukau City 
• Pukekohe Vaccination Centre 6 Roulston Street, Pukekohe, Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm, Sat: 8am-12pm
• Takanini Vaccination Centre, 98 South Rd, Takanini 
• Papakura Marae Drive Through Vaccination Centre Mon-Fri: 8.30am-3pm, 29 Hunua Road
• Manurewa Marae Vaccination Centre, 81 Finlayson Avenue, Clendon Park, Manukau City

Taamaki Makaurau - Shot Cuz Vaccination Bus

For information on where the vaccination buses will be, check out the Facebook pages of these provider partners:

• Manurewa Marae
• Waipareira Trust
• Huakina Trust 
• Ngaati Whaatua 

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.

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).