The Wairarapa Iwi-Led Covid-19 Vaccination Campaign Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Rangitāne o Wairarapa, Te Hauora Rūnanga o Wairarapa, and Whaiora in partnership with the Wairarapa DHB have banded together to support an iwi-led Covid-19 vaccination campaign throughout Wairarapa. Māori vaccination rates aren’t yet what they need to be, but we are doing everything we can to raise the vaccination rates. Press release from Iwi Leaders
Ngā kaimahi
In August, Ngàti Kahungunu and Rangitàne iwi leaders were concerned about the increasing number of whànau who are reluctant or unsure about taking the Covid-19 vaccine. They came together to amplify their message. The Rangitàne o Wairarapa Chairman, Tiraumaera Te Tau, said: “Getting vaccinated is the best way we can keep our whànau safe against Covid-19.”.
Jake Carlson, Ngài Tùmapùhia-à-Rangi, is the kaitiaki clinic manager of Tekau mà iwa. He is a paramedic. Prior to this role he worked for Wellington Free Ambulance and was the Wairarapa Regional Manager. His entire team is made up of Màori staff. The Màori Wardens are an important part of the Tekau mà iwa team. They welcome whànau to the clinic and support the pop-up Hauora clinics. They are like a korowai of protection for our whànau and communities.
Kahungunu ki Wairarapa General Manager, Tai Gemmell, said: “If you are unsure about the vaccination, please ring your iwi or Màori providers Te Hauora and Whaiora. They are more than ready to help you with the information you might need to make the right decision.”.
Tekau mā iwa iwi-led vaccination clinic On the 2nd of July the iwi-led vaccination clinic, Tekau mà iwa, was opened. It is located at 195 Chapel Street, at the rear of Whaiora. Tekau mà iwa means nineteen. Tekau mà iwa refers to 19 ways to whakaora, or to restore health. The essence of the name, Tekau mà iwa is wellness. The name was gifted by a group of rangatahi that formed a focus group, after coming out of the nationwide level 4 lockdown (2020), to talk about their wellbeing. The clinic is open on Friday and Saturday. Outside of these days, kaimahi are in the community standing up pop-up Hauora Clinics.
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Ko te tiaki i te whànau o Wairarapa tà tàtou mahi Caring for our people is what we do.
Pop-Up Hauora Clinic: McJorrow Park The first pop-up Hauora clinic was on the 3rd of October at McJorrow Park, Masterton. Our whànau came and asked questions to our clinical staff, some got vaccinated, others sat and ate kai while our tamariki played kì o rahi.
Name the Pahi Kāhi Competition Tekau mà iwa bought a pahi (minibus) that travels throughout Wairarapa for the pop-up Hauora clinics. A ‘Name the Pahi Kàhi Competition’ was run to get the whànau involved. Hundreds of creative and hilarious names were submitted. Maxine Hemi won with the name, Te Rau Hauora. Te Rau Hauora was the Màori Battalion Canteen. It was a place for our freedom fighters, far from home, to gather to hear the latest news, while having treats such as tea and biscuits and other supplies. Tekau mà iwa resonated with the whakaaro, “Te Rau Hauora will be the pahi that gives life back to the children”. 2nd prize went to Toi Walker who submitted the most and funniest entries. 3rd prize went to Rob Stockley with ‘Pahi Korimako’, the perch of the bellbird protecting our most vulnerable. He aha te mea nui? He tàngata.
