COVID-19 updates 16 April 2020

As of the morning of the 16th of April 2020 there are still 26 confirmed cases in Northland and yesterday nationally there were 6 new confirmed and 14 probable cases of COVID-19. The total number is now 1,386, of which 113 are Māori. There are 13 people in hospital with COVID-19, three are in ICU and two are in critical condition. In total there have been 66,499 tests processed in New Zealand with 1,347 of these tests having been done in Northland. District Health Boards are working with their teams to increase testing capacity, including mobile testing in some places. ​

Huge Mihi to Simon, William and Tim Eriksen, Andy Ham and Mark Hunter of NEAT MEAT (www.neatmeat.com) for the manaaki they have shown to our Ngātiwai marae by giving us this meat to distribute.

The team from Neat Meat were only too willing to support Ngatiwai in feeding their kaumatua and vulnerable whanau who are finding times difficult during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Big mihi to our Motairehe Marae Trustee Martin Cleave for establishing this valuable relationship for us, and hope we continue this in support of our whānau.

To our Oakura Marae Trustee Simon Mitchell and Matapouri marae Trustee Aperahama
Edwards thank you for your efforts again.

To our whanaunga James Caldwell and Rukuwai Tipene-Allen Maori Television\’s Te Ao News, thank you for your awesome coverage of this humbling mahi we are doing in collaboration with Neat Meat.​
Click here to see the story by Te Ao 

​The Ministry of Health is urging providers more than ever to make sure influenza vaccination is made available to the greatest extent to these communities, particularly kuia, koroua and hapū māmā. It’s no secret that Māori immunisation rates are historically lower than those of the wider population. From today, 15 April, Northland DHB will be running clinics in Whangārei and Kerikeri to support General Practice efforts to provide vaccination for the eligible population. These clinics are open to children and adults and will be held at:

• Child Wellbeing Hub at 22B Commerce Street, Whangārei from Monday to Friday, 10am to 1pm
• The Turner Centre at 43 Cobham Road, Kerikeri from Monday to Friday, 10am to 1pm.

The \”A\” Team from Te Manawaroa o Ngati Hine were busy at the weekend helping us deliver manaaki packs to the community.  They have also been busy all over the motu, click here to see how busy they have been!

The New Zealand Māori Council Executive Director, Matthew Tukaki announced resources and support available for all New Zealanders through the Council. These announcements cover a range of different kaupapa that whanau might find useful during these times.     

The Council have been working hard over this Level 4 lockdown period including intervening on behalf of 241 whanau regarding wage subsidies, tenancy issues and the health system. They have reached up to 1 million people over the last four weeks, directly connecting for COVID-19 information and they have held 42 online Zoom hui. More information here: http://maorieverywhere.com/

https://youtu.be/OT86AhjlYwE

​The Ministry of Health have launched a social media campaign targeted at Māori communities online. You can watch the video on the Ministry of Health Facebook page here. This week the Ministry also kicked off their ‘​Getting Through Together’ online platform has a lot of information and resources about how to take care of your mental health. You can find some extra help and support from trained counselors by either calling or texting 1737.