MEDIA RELEASE: TE MANAWAROA O NGĀTI HINE
13 AUGUST 2020
Te Manawaroa o Ngāti Hine COVID-19 Emergency Response Taskforce are supporting local whānau, marae, hapū and hāpori to prepare following confirmed COVID-19 community transmission and Te Tai Tokerau rohe now sitting at Level 2.
The Taskforce was established in March this year as an emergency response to COVID-19 after recognising the immediate impact lockdown was having on whānau and hapū in both rural and urban communities.
Chair of Te Manawaroa o Ngāti Hine, Pita Tipene, emphasised the collectives on-going readiness after an emergency meeting was held yesterday to assess both the national and local implications. He said that Te Manawaroa o Ngāti Hine had learnt much through the challenges of the first wave of COVID-19 and underscored the need to remain calm and take all responsible steps to protect and support whānau members.
Ngāti Hine Health Trust CEO, Geoff Milner, said the re-emergence of COVID-19 within Aotearoa was concerning. “It was a case of when, not if”. However, the response from Te Manawaroa was immediate to implement local initiatives to empower whānau, hapū and marae. COVID-19 testing stations have been reactivated at Ngāti Hine Health Trust in Kawakawa and across Te Tai Tokerau.
Dr Mataroria Lyndon, Clinical Lead reinforces key health messages to minimise transmission of COVID-19 during Level 2: “It is important to maintain hand hygiene practises, ensure social distancing and wear a mask when you’re in public spaces. If you’re unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms contact Healthline or your local GP.”
Challenges from a cultural perspective were identified in the first wave of COVID-19, particularly the hui-mate protocols implemented nationally. Te Manawaroa o Ngāti Hine prepared a Marae Guidelines Tool Kit for marae and hapū to support Level 2 conditions.
We are now working again with our marae to respond to this second wave of COVID-19. In partnership with Te Maara o Hineāmaru, the Marae Guidelines Toolkit is being redeployed to support marae and hapū in their decision making processes for hosting hui in Level 2 conditions.
Link to: Contact Tracing App
Link to: Marae Guidelines Toolkit for Level 2
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For general media enquiries, contact:
Erana Fenton communications@nhht.co.nz
Te Manawaroa o Ngāti Hine Reference Group media interviews:
Pita Tipene | Mobile: 021 404 047
Geoff Milner | Mobile: 027 535 6646
Mataroria Lyndon | Mobile: 021 269 3304
Te Manawaroa o Ngāti Hine Operations Team Lead contact:
Jonette Chapman Mobile: 027 533 9528
For the Ngāti Hine Support Line, call: 0800 737 573
Check out these Facebook social media pages for updates
Ngāti Hine a Hineamaru https://www.facebook.com/NH.Hineamaru/ Ngāti Hine FM https://www.facebook.com/radioNgātihinefm/