April 24, 2020
Auckland Council gives tick to Maori COVID response
Auckland Council’s Emergency Management Group has set up a Māori-focussed team working alongside iwi, hapū, whānau and marae to identify and bridge the gaps in the delivery of welfare services during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Te Pouwhakarae is based on similar Māori-led responses to situations like Whakaari and Kaikōura.
Councillor Alf Filipaina says the importance of having a Māori-led response was recognised early on and council is already seeing positive outcomes.
Since the start of the lockdown Te Pouwhakarae has managed Māori-specific queries and the delivery of welfare parcels, and worked with the Northern Regional Health Coordination Centre to distribute more than 14,000 flyers in English, Te Reo and Tongan with information and government advice around staying safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Council staff supported Whānau Ora providers and marae with the delivery of kai and hygiene packs, and others were were redeployed to make outreach calls to over 700 vulnerable Māori in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development.
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