The year of COVID A Ngāti Tama Reponse

In March of this year when the country moved into Alert level 4, Ngāti Tama and its Trustees prioritised the health and wellbeing of whānau and team members. Our Covid-19 response plan saw the operational team check in on 100% of members that we had contact information for. We provided 417 relief grants to whānau in New Zealand and abroad and distributed 333 kai packs or kai vouchers to Ngāti Tama whānau throughout Aotearoa. Some whānau suffered loss of income and work, some felt isolated and disconnected in lockdown, some lost loved ones during that time, and our thoughts are with them.

Ngāti Tama’s response was swift and far reaching. Ensuring that Ngāti Tama whānau feel supported and not alone during the lockdown was our paramount concern. Ngāti Tama will continue to administer Covid-19 relief for our whānau as the impacts continue to be felt.

We are also pleased that the collective work of the eight Te Tauihu iwi has come into sharper focus as a result of Covid-19. A recovery plan to focus on the kai, housing and work needs of Te Tauihu whānau has been initiated by the GMs of Te Tauihu iwi and it is heartening to see this work progress and develop.