The Wairarapa Iwi-Led Covid-19 Vaccination Campaign

The Wairarapa Iwi-Led Covid-19 Vaccination Campaign

Nga¯ti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Rangita¯ne o Wairarapa, Te Hauora Ru¯nanga o Wairarapa, and Whaiora in partnership with the Wairarapa DHB have banded together to support an iwi-led Covid-19 vaccination campaign throughout Wairarapa. Ma¯ori 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

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.”.

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 ma¯ 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.

Nga¯ kaimahi

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.

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 Ka¯hi 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.

Pop-Up Hauora Clinics: O ¯ noke and Paetu¯mokai

On the 24th of October, Tekau mà iwa went to Ònoke. The day was opened by Matua Abe, Aperahama Matenga, Ngàti Hinewaka, with karakia. Corrina Ngatai, a much-loved Nurse Practitioner from Paetùmokai Featherston Medical worked alongside the rest of the team.

The following weekend the Tekau mà iwa team was in Paetùmokai Featherston. Wairarapa Black Power supported the Government’s vaccine drive by hosting the pop-up Hauora clinic. The day was full. There was hangi, entertainment by Keepa Smith, Ngàti Moe, Ngàti Parera, cricket and a bouncy castle. Many young people, Màori and Pacific Islanders got vaccinated.

Anaru Gaoa, a Black Power representative, said he hoped to provide a welcoming space and encourage those who wanted to get vaccinated against Covid.

Wai-Bush Vax Clinic

On the 6th of November, staff from Tekau mà iwa, DHB, and Tù Ora stood up a pop-up clinic at the Wairarapa Bush game. Although the weather was wet it did not deter people from getting vaccinated.

Whiria te hono, paiheretia!

Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Wha¯nau Day: Sunday 14th November, 10am-4pm, Trust House.

Kahungunu ki Wairarapa with tautoko from Tekau mà iwa and the greater hapori hosted a day of fun for all our whànau.The day was full of activities including bouncy castles, weaving with Te Rito o Wairarapa, entertainment by Keepa Smith and lots more.

Tekau mà iwa had their kai and coffee cart at the event, and a vaccination station for anyone that wanted to kòrero with the team or get vaccinated.

What is the plan moving forward?

Until the end of December, Tekau mà iwa will be standing up pop-up clinics in the community, speaking at Hui, Wànanga, AGMs and in the community when requested. The focus is 40 years and younger. We have several strategies.

We acknowledge that until each DHB in Aotearoa reaches a 90% vaccination rate, Covid in our communities is possible. We are also aware that some of our whànau do not want to be vaccinated. We want to emphasise that we are whànau and we want to find ways to keep everyone safe. Please help us do this.

Find a COVID-19 Vaccination Centre near you

If you want to find your nearest centre, go to Bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz

How to get in touch with Tekau ma¯ iwa?

Address: 195 Chapel Street, Masterton

Days and Hours of Operation:

Friday and Saturday, 9.30am - 4.30pm Phone: 0800 282 926 Email: xix@whaiora.org.nz FB: www.facebook.com/Tekaumaiwa