Te Akitai Waiohua August 2020 Update 

October 30th Update: The Latest Te Akitai Waiohua Panui for October 2020 has been released and can be found here.
As of October 5th, all of Aotearoa is operating at Alert Level 1.

September 30th Update: The latest Te Akitai Waiohua Panui for September 2020 has been released and can be found here.

August 26th Update: The latest Te Ākitai Waiohua Panui for August 2020 has been released and can be found here.

Tāmaki Makaurau will stay at Alert Level 3 until August 30th at 11:59pm where it will drop to Alert Level 2 with gathering restrictions still in place. Auckland and the rest of New Zealand will then remain at Alert Level 2 until September 6th where the government will then review the situation.   

Information on the COVID Tracing App can be found here.

The general election for the government has also been delayed and is now officially being held on Saturday 17 October 2020. For more information, you can visit here.

Tāmaki Makaurau transitioned to Alert Level 3 on August 12th at 12pm  with the rest of New Zealand moving to Alert Level 2 until 12am Saturday 15 August 2020..

This means that alert level restrictions will be back in place over the three day lockdown period. Further information can be found here and here.

The shift to Alert Level 3 follows the identification of four new active cases through community transmission in the Auckland area.

For now we have to return to our usual hygiene and social distancing practices, so please continue to keep yourselves and each other safe whanau.

Te Akitai Waiohua June 2020 Update 

June 8 Update: New Zealand will be shifting to Alert Level 1 on Tuesday 9th June 2020 at 12am, You can find more information here.

One month has passed since New Zealand entered Alert Level 3 to prevent further COVID-19 cases. Currently, we are three weeks into Alert Level 2 with bars, restaurants and domestic air travel now operational and gatherings of 100 being permitted.

Although there are less restrictions, the appropriate hygiene and distancing practices still apply and isolating yourself if you feel unwell is still widely encouraged.

How long will Alert Level 2 last?
Alert Level 2 is scheduled to continue until a decision is made by the government on 8 June 2020 on whether it is safe to drop to Alert Level 1.

What am I allowed to do during Alert Level 2?
For a full list of up to date rules and regulations on Level 2, you can read the official COVID page here. 

The latest Te Ākitai Waiohua Panui for June 2020 has also been released and can be found here.

A COVID-19 Contact Tracing App has been unveiled by the Ministry of Health to track interactions you have with the people and places you visit. You can find more information here.

COVID-19 related resources for those in Tāmaki Makaurau can be found here. 

Te Akitai Waiohua May 2020 Update 

May 18 Update: Changes to Tangihanga during Alert Level 2 can be found here. Information regarding future Maori employment can be found here.

May 11 Update: We will be shifting to Alert Level 2 on May 14. For a more in depth look at life under Alert Level 2, you can click here.

It has been just over a month since New Zealand entered Alert Level 4 Lockdown to slow down the progress of the COVID-19 outbreak. Now in Alert Level 3 there is a little more freedom for some to return to work and school or access food, online goods and services.

However, the rule to remain at home if possible is still widely encouraged to ensure the spread of COVID-19 can be managed.

How long will Alert Level 3 last?
Alert Level 3 was scheduled for two weeks before a decision could be made by the government on what happens next. Whether New Zealand remains at Level 3, goes back to Level 4 or drops to Alert Level 1 will likely be tied to any progress made with slowing down the virus.

What am I allowed to do during Alert Level 3?
For a full list of up to date rules and regulations in regards to Level 3, read the official COVID page here.

The latest Te Ākitai Waiohua Panui for May 2020 has also been released and can be found here

A government response action plan was also developed in April to establish an initial framework for protecting the health and well-being of Māori communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can find more information here.

Resources for those in need of assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic are available here

Noho kainga, Noho haumaru, Noho ora mai 
Stay home, Stay safe, Stay well

Te Akitai Waiohua April 2020 Update (COVID-19)

A lot has happened since our last update. With the arrival of COVID-19 we have had to shut down Te Ākitai Waiohua operations and delay future projects. This has also resulted in Pukaki Marae being closed until further notice.

The latest Te Ākitai Waiohua Panui for April 2020 has also been released and can be found here

7 April Update: Useful welfare articles for whanau have been released by the government which can be found here, here and here.

What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is an infectious disease that affects the human respiratory system. Like the flu, COVID-19 can be transmitted from person to person. Scientific evidence confirms that COVID-19 is spread by droplets. When an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, they may generate droplets containing the virus. These droplets quickly settle on surrounding surfaces.

People may become infected by the virus if they touch those surfaces or objects, and then touch their mouth, nose or eyes. That is why it is really important to regularly wash (for at least 20 seconds or the length of time to sing the happy birthday song “Hari Huri Tau” twice) and thoroughly dry your hands and to also cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing.

But did you know:

- SARS-CoV-2 is the name of the virus that causes COVID-19
- Coronavirus is the group or type of virus that SARS-CoV-2 belongs to
- SARS-CoV-2 is a novel or new coronavirus meaning there is no human immunity to it. This means the virus can spread to and be spread by anybody
- It can take up to 14 days before a person starts feeling sick and showing symptoms of COVID-19. In that time a person could unintentionally be infecting other people they come into contact with.

Why is COVID-19 such a risk?

The virus affects the body by entering the lungs and killing lung cells to replicate itself. This triggers the body's natural immune response that causes inflammation and creates fluid in the lungs. Inflamed lungs filling with fluid is known as pneumonia, which leads to breathing problems that prevent oxygen from getting to the body.

The common cold or flu does not normally lead to pneumonia unless a person already has a vulnerable or compromised immune system. However, COVID-19 comes from a novel coronavirus and can lead to death from pneumonia or other related complications, such as organ failure due to a lack of oxygen, depending on how a person’s immune system responds.

This is why people at high risk from COVID-19 tend to be older, obese or have diabetes and high blood pressure where the immune system, lungs and organs may be vulnerable. It also highlights the need for medical respirators, which allow the body to receive oxygen when the lungs cannot function properly for breathing.


What can be done about COVID-19?

There is currently no vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 but there are various ways to prevent the spread of the virus including:
- Regularly washing your hands
- Avoiding contact with your eyes, nose and mouth
- Covering your coughs and sneezes
- Keeping your distance from other people
- Self isolating and away from crowded places or anybody that has a fever or cough
- STAYING AT HOME

Key information about COVID-19 can be found here on the official government website. In addition, there is also information for Māori which can be accessed here

Please keep safe and stay at home whanau.