March 19, 2020
Covid-19 like Endeavour invasion
The Maori Party’s Tāmaki candidate is comparing the Covid-19 pandemic to the arrival of the Endeavour in 1769 and demanding the Government put the country on a war footing to respond.
John Tamihere, who heads west Auckland social service delivery agency Waipareira Trust, says the virus will cause mayhem if it gets into Māori communities, and there seems to be no plan if that happens.
As Minister for Civil Defence, Māori Health and Whānau Ora, his election rival Peeni Henare is uniquely positioned to act.
Mr Tamihere says the Government should release whānau ora funds so agencies like Waipareira can distribute hygiene and sanitation packs together with warm clothing and bedding into their communities.
Whānau ora providers are hard-wired into deprived communities and can deliver goods and service far more efficiently than state agencies.
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