Ki te kotahi te kaakaho, ka whati. Ki te kaapuia e kore e whati.

Nei raa ngaa whakamaanawa ki a taatou katoa i ngaa aahuatanga o te waa e paa tonu ana ki a taatou. Ko ngaa kupu aa Kiingi Taawhiao e aarahi nei i te whakatau kia tuu tahi ai ahau ki a koutou, kei ngaa whaanau e noho ana i Taamaki Makaurau i teenei waa. Kia mahara taatou ki ngaa uauatanga e paa ana ki oo taatou whaanau i Taamaki Makaurau, me tuku aroha ki a raatou i teenei waa. 

Kiingi Tuheitia has made the decision to live by higher alert level restrictions as long as Taamaki remains in lockdown. He acknowledges that not everyone is in a position to stand with him in solidarity for the city, but he does encourage us all to remember the sacrifice that Taamaki is making to keep us all safe, and to send them our aroha. 
  
This is the fifth time Taamaki has been at Alert Level 3 or higher – three times more than any other region. The emotional and mental toll this has already had should not be underestimated and we all have a role to play in reaching out and connecting with whaanau and friends in Taamaki. There has been a surge in calls to support lines all over the country particularly from Taamaki, and we urge anyone who needs support – for any reason – to call us on 0800 TAINUI.

As the country outside of Taamaki moves back to a more normal way of life with kura opening and workplaces reopening, we are changing up these daily paanui. On Mondays, we will email all marae with a general update capturing any important announcements or information. On Wednesdays and Fridays we will send a Taamaki-specific paanui, recognising that whaanau living in the city have different needs to those elsewhere. 

Kia kaha tonu taatou ki te whai i ngaa tikanga haumaru a rohe. Remember to keep following the rules of your rohe.  

Key updates

• There are 15 new cases of COVID-19 today, all of which are in Auckland. 
• This brings the outbreak to 855 cases, 218 of whom have recovered. 
• Thirty-seven cases are in hospital, and six of those are in ICU with four being ventilated. 
• Taamaki will remain at Alert Level 4 for at least another week and whaanau are encouraged to stay home, stay strong, and stay kind. 
• The Alert Level 2 rules have been adjusted to reflect the increased risk of the Delta variant. 
• 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 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 rates have decreased which makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the lockdown. Anyone with cold or flu symptoms is encouraged to get tested. Visit Health Point to find testing centres near you. 
• As of yesterday, 2.6 million people have now had their first dose of the vaccine

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 those listed below.
• 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 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. 

Walk-in or drive-through vaccinations   

Mobile vaccination  

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. A repayment plan will be put 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.

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.