Nearly one week into the new normal of our traffic light system, whaanau throughout the motu have been adjusting to the new framework and the difference it makes to our daily lives. For many whaanau, this difference looks like greater freedom as their vaccination passes allow them to visit more places, or visit the same places with fewer restrictions. Meanwhile, the opposite is true for whaanau who do not have their vaccination pass, as they are unable to access certain places and services under the Orange and Red settings that are in place across the country.
This new reality is a difficult one for us to navigate, with division and discord already seeping into our communities. Kiingi Tuheitia reminds us all to stay strong in our principles of aroha and manaaki, and not to allow decisions around vaccination to drive us apart. Although the vaccination is undoubtedly the best way to protect our whaanau, hapuu and marae from the threat of COVID-19, it is a decision that should be made with confidence. We have been working hard alongside our Maaori health providers and Waikato DHB to give our whaanau that confidence, and we will continue to do so until all of our whaanau are vaccinated.
An article published today confirmed that daily vaccination numbers have increased since the new system was introduced and that rates for young Maaori and Pasifika have been climbing over the past few weeks. This is good news as we look ahead to the lifting of the Taamaki border next week when the virus is expected to spread much further throughout the country.
From 15 December – next Wednesday – our whaanau in Taamaki will be able to leave the city for the first time in months. While we celebrate this milestone with them and look forward to being reunited with friends and whaanau members over the holiday period, our King acknowledges the role that the border has played in containing the virus and protecting our communities. Our Taamaki whaanau have held the line and endured a 107-day lockdown, and in doing so have given the rest of the country much-needed time to prepare.
When the borders open next week, iwi around the country will be holding their breaths to see how quickly COVID-19 will spread into their rohe. We know that iwi in Te Tai Tokerau are taking steps to protect their vulnerable communities, establishing checkpoints in partnership with NZ Police to sight the vaccine passes and/or negative test results of those travelling north out of Taamaki. Kiingi Tuheitia supports these efforts and encourages all residents of Taamaki to be considerate and cautious when making plans to leave the city. Many of our most vulnerable and isolated communities are still working hard to raise their vaccination rates, and cannot afford to have COVID-19 brought to their doors until their level of protection is higher.
As always, this paanui includes information about vaccination centres throughout Waikato and Taamaki and we encourage whaanau who are not yet fully vaccinated to visit a local clinic, ask their paatai about the vaccine, and get the jab. |
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Key updates
- There have been 188 new community cases of COVID-19 since our last paanui: 145 in Taamaki, 19 in Waikato, 13 in Bay of Plenty, six in Te Tauihu, three in Northland, one in Taranaki, and one in Waiariki.
- Of today's 90 cases, 46 are Maaori.
- Today's cases include 71 in Taamaki and nine in Waikato.
- Of the nine new cases confirmed in the Waikato overnight, six are in Te Kuuiti, one in Ootorohanga, and two locations are under investigation.
- There are 74 people with COVID-19 in the hospital including six in ICU/HDU.
- There are active cases in 13 of the country's 20 district health boards.
- The virus has also been detected again in a wastewater sample taken in Tairaawhiti on 6 December, following positive detections on 1 and 2 December.
- Eighteen of the 20 district health boards have passed the 90 percent vaccination rate for first doses in the eligible population, while five have passed the 90 percent vaccination rate for both doses.
- Taamaki borders will open from Wednesday 15 December. People travelling out of the city will need to be fully vaccinated or provide a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of departure.
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Under the new framework, lockdown measures have been lifted and it’s only a matter of time before positive cases of COVID-19 spread even further in our hapori. The hope is that our health system will not be overwhelmed, and will remain ready to support those who require hospital level care, but most people who contract COVID-19 will be able to isolate safely at home. Everyone who tests positive for COVID-19, and their household, will need to stay at home and avoid contact with others, including whaanau. Being prepared is about people, conversations, connections and knowing what to do. Being prepared will mean your whaanau and hapori can help each other if needed. Below are some things to consider when making a plan. Here is a helpful checklist for getting ready and a timeline about what to expect if you need to self-isolate.
Make a plan
- Have a sit down and chat with your whaanau about what might happen if someone in your whare tests positive for COVID-19 and you are asked to isolate together for up to 14 days.
- Have a think about who are the friends/whaanau/community groups outside of your home who could be good support (e.g. to pick up shopping). Top up on your essentials – key medicines and kai.
- Prepare your whare – if someone gets COVID-19 it may mean that there are certain parts of the house that will need to be set aside for that person. Ensure everyone in the whare knows the go and no-go zones for them. This may mean that that person gets their own room and bathroom for this time.
- It might be hard to have certain parts of your whare set aside just for those whaanau who have COVID-19. Have a chat with health workers and community support groups about how you can best set up and manage your home to make sure everyone is being taken care of and that you are able to lessen the risk of COVID-19 spreading to other members of your whaanau too.
- Have a think about what cleaning products you might need to ensure good hygiene in your whare to help reduce the spread of the virus. It may also mean that the cleaning regime for your whare has to step up a few notches during your isolation period.
- Think about games and entertainment for the whaanau during an isolation period. We know living together in close confined spaces can be hard. Find ways to keep everyone’s spirits up by finding fun things to do together.
Vaccinate
- We know you have heard this a lot, but vaccination is the best line of defence in this COVID-19 world. Clinics are available for those that haven’t had a chance to get the jab yet. Read the paanui below for more details on where to get vaccinated.
Reach out
- The iwi has supports in place through our amazing Maaori health providers for whaanau living with COVID-19. If you need help or need support to help manage to isolate at home with COVID-19 don’t hesitate to ring on 0800 TAINUI.
Stay safe
- Again, when out and about remember the key rules of staying safe during COVID-19 – wear a mask, practise social distancing and wash hands regularly.
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The nation has now moved into the protection framework. Taamaki is at the Red setting while the rest of the Tainui region is at Orange. Click here to see the interactive map of the settings across the country.
The COVID-19 Protection Framework relies on a combination of high vaccination rates, vaccination certificates and public health measures to minimise the spread of the virus, allowing schools to remain open and most businesses to continue operating at each setting – and increased freedoms for fully vaccinated people.
Vaccination certificates, known as My Vaccine Pass, is the key tool that allows our businesses, kura, and public places such as libraries to remain open. The government has signalled for some time now that vaccinated New Zealanders will enjoy greater freedoms, and today we are living this reality. For Maaori this will be particularly challenging as we still have many whaanau who are yet to get vaccinated. In the new system they will miss out on everyday things – things like eating in restaurants, getting a haircut, going to the gym and attending concerts, festivals and sports games. This mandate will apply to customers and clients of these businesses, as well as their kaimahi. We continue to encourage whaanau to keep having koorero with those who are undecided about vaccination and to be patient and understanding.
For whaanau who have downloaded My Vaccine Pass, please check in with our kaumaatua and other whaanau members who might struggle to get their pass printed out or on their phone. There are three ways to get the pass: online through My Covid Record, over the phone by calling 0800 222 478, or in person at a participating pharmacy. Click here to find a pharmacy near you. |
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The traffic lights are replacing the Alert Level system and are intended to provide a flexible approach to managing COVID-19 in the community. Traffic light colours for districts are decided by taking into account things like vaccination coverage, COVID-19 transmission in communities, and the capacity of the health and disability system.
Marae will continue to decide whether to permit gatherings. If gatherings are permitted, decisions will also need to be made on whether those who are unvaccinated will be able to use marae or attend gatherings. These decisions rest with the leadership of the marae.
To support marae to make these decisions the following documents have been created:
COVID-19 Protection Framework Marae Booklet
COVID-19 Protection Framework Marae Summary |
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| For tribal members who are in need of urgent help please call us on 0800 TAINUI. Our tribal leaders will be sharing updates about supports directly from our Facebook page, so please visit us there too. |
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Taamaki Whaanau
After more than 100 days of lockdown, Taamaki whaanau have moved into the protection framework at the red level setting. We are still here to support whaanau and we want to collate as much information about Taamaki whaanau needs so our response can be coordinated. Click on the link below to fill in the survey and if you have any paatai please call 0800 TAINUI.
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Vaccinations
- Free booster doses are now available to anyone aged 18 or older who received their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago.
- People aged 18 and older can now access the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
- AstraZeneca is for people who can’t have the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for medical reasons and for those who would like an option other than the Pfizer vaccine.
- Anyone over the age of 12 can book their vaccination now at Book My Vaccine.
- A number of vaccination buses, drive-through and walk-in vaccination clinics are popping up across the motu including those listed below.
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| For more information on vaccines click here |
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Walk-in vaccination clinics
The following is a list of walk-in clinics run by the Waikato DHB and their providers. No need to book - just check the schedule below and drop in. Otherwise, you can book by visiting Book My Vaccine and selecting the closest clinic to you, or by calling 0800 28 29 26. The DHB will be adding more dates and locations here as they firm up their schedules. You can also be vaccinated at a range of other locations across Waikato, including GPs and pharmacies. See Healthpoint for those options. |
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North Waikato
Ngaaruawaahia Railway Station
120 Great South Road
Tue 7 Dec & Thu 9 Dec
1pm-7pm
Raglan Rugby Sports Club
3 Cross St, Raglan
Sat 11 Dec & Sun 12 Dec
10am-3pm
Putaaruru Rugby Club
Nola Street
Thursday 9 Dec
2pm-7pm
Glenview Holiday Park
Sloss Road, Tokoroa
Friday 10 Dec
10am-12pm |
Matangi Hall
478 Tauwhare Road
Tuesday 7 Dec
10am-3pm
Gordonton Hall
1024 State Highway 1B
Thursday 9 Dec
10am-3pm
Te Uku Hall
38 Matakotea Rd, Raglan
Friday 10 Dec
10am-3pm
Glenshea Park
Park Ave, Putaruru
Sunday 12 Dec
11am-4pm |
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Kirikiriroa
Fairfield Baptist Church
1101 Heaphy Tce, Fairfield
Thursday 9 to Friday 10 Dec
10am-3pm
Frankton Rugby Club
Rifle Range Road, Swarbrick Park
Thursday 9 to Friday 10 Dec
10am-3pm
Countdown Hamilton
Corner of Anglesea and Liverpool
Thur 9 & Fri 10 Dec
10am-3pm
Western Community Centre
46 Hyde Ave, Nawton
Sat 11 Dec & Sun 12 Dec
10am-3pm
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The Needle Exchange
16 Vialou St, Hamilton
Thu 9 Dec & Fri10 Dec
10am-5pm
Dinsdale Countdown
Whatwhata Road, Dinsdale
Thu 9 Dec & Friday 10 Dec
10am-3pm
Garden Place
Hamilton Central
Sat 11 Dec & Sun 12 Dec
10am-3pm
Matamata
New World Matamata
45 Waharoa Rd, Matamata
Sunday 12 Dec
10am-3pm |
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Ootorohanga
Countdown Ootorohanga
123 Maniapoto St
Tuesday 7 Dec to Friday 10 Dec
10am-3pm |
Ootorohanga St Davids
Crn of Ranfurly and Turongo Street
Wed 8 Dec 2pm-7pm
Thu 9 Dec 10am-4pm |
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COVID-19 testing centres
Extra testing sites have been established throughout the motu. Visit Health Point to find the closest site for you and your whaanau.
Me maumahara!
- 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.
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Waikato
Claudelands Event Centre
Claudelands, Hamilton
7-days a week
10am-6pm
Ngaaruawaahia
Ngaa Miro Health Centre car park
Mon, Wed, Fri 11am -6pm
Tue & Thu 8am-3pm
Sat 9am-2pm
Ootrohanga Sports Club
Orahiri Terrace, Ootorohanga
Monday - Sunday
10am-12pm |
Waahi Whanui
17 Parry Street, Huntly
Thu 9 Dec - Sun 12 Dec
9am-3pm
Te Kuuiti
Centennial Park, William St
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
10am-2pm
Wed 3pm-7pm
Taumaranui
Miriama Club, Miriama St
Thu 9 Dec - Sat 11 Dec
10am-2pm
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Maaori-led vaccination clinics
The Maaori-led operated vaccination centres will be participating in the GotYaDot campaign
- 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
- Takanini Vaccination Centre, 8 Great South Rd, Takanini
- Papakura Marae Drive Through Vaccination Centre, 29 Hunua Road, Papakura.
Taamaki Makaurau - Shot Cuz Vaccination Bus
For information on where the vaccination buses will be, check out the Facebook pages of these provider partners:
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COVID-19 testing centres
Extra testing sites have been established throughout the motu. Visit Health Point to find the closest site for you and your whaanau.
Me maumahara!
- 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.
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