He kura tuu winiwini, he kura tuu wanawana, he kura i tangihia, he kura kua riro ki te tohu o Kaiwaka e!

E tangi ana te ngaakau ki teeraa i paangia e te KOWHEORI-19 kua riro tiitapu atu ki te poo. E kui, e haere koe ki oo mana, ki oo wehi, ki oo tapu, ki ngaa maatua tuupuna e poowhiri nei i a koe ki te aahuru moowai o Hawaiki. 

Over the weekend, we as a country experienced our first fatality as a result of the Delta outbreak. The deceased was a kuia in her nineties who had an underlying health condition, but whose passing was nevertheless hastened by COVID-19. The grief of the whaanau pani, which would have been immense at any time, was compounded by the fact that the risk of transmission meant they were unable to be at her side while she was hospitalised. Kiingi Tuheitia speaks the words in all of our hearts as he sends them our deepest condolences as they face the loss of their taonga at this incredibly difficult time. 

This tragic event is a reminder that the virus takes lives. Although Delta doesn't discriminate, Maaori and Pasifika are more susceptible to its fatal consequences. Since COVID-19 first entered Aotearoa in 2020, Maaori have made up only seven percent of the total cases, but twenty-two percent of the total deaths. This most recent passing serves as a reminder that we simply cannot be complacent - we must do whatever it takes to protect our whaanau, hapuu and iwi. 

Fortunately, the steps we need to take are simple, and they are laid out in front of us: wherever you are in the country, adhere to the restrictions of the relevant alert level. Stay at home as much as possible, wear your mask when you need to leave home, and keep a distance of two metres from others in public places. These steps will get us through this current outbreak, but it is still important that we protect ourselves against the inevitable resurgence of COVID-19. Vaccinations are the very best tool we have to protect ourselves, and anyone over the age of 12 can now book theirs here.

Today it was announced that all New Zealand outside of Auckland will move to Alert Level 2 at midnight on Tuesday. Kura across the motu will open on Thursday 9 September, Auckland's Alert Level will be reviewed next Monday. While Waikato continues to progress through the alert levels, we know that our whaanau in Taamaki are still in lockdown. So whaanau, please keep connected and please be kind to each other.

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

• Auckland remains in a strict level 4 lockdown for at least another week while everywhere else is in Alert level 3. 
• Daily case numbers have continued to decline over the weekend, with 20 new community cases reported on Monday. 
• This brings the number of cases to 821: 804 in Taamaki (114 of whom have recovered) and 17 in Te Whanganui-a-Tara (three of whom have recovered.) 
• There are 40 cases in hospital, six of whom are in ICU. 
• Over the weekend, we heard of the first fatality of this outbreak, a kuia in her nineties who was unable to be ventilated due to an underlying health condition. 
• 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

Taamaki has a northern and southern border 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. 
• A number of drive-through and walk-in vaccination clinics are popping up across the motu including Papakura Marae
• 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 

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
• may be 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.

Youth Community Mental Wellbeing Fund

• Social media campaigns 
• Virtual support – including practical support for organisation to move virtual (e.g. Zoom licences or data plans)
• Virtual support – peer to peer, group forums, training for peer support
• Initiatives that alleviate distress for youth (this could be a practical focus such as period poverty initiatives) 
• Outreach, self-help, practical advice to manage distress (e.g. navigation to services)

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

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.