Te Arawa Whānau Ora CEO Lorraine Hetaraka is calling for hapū and iwi to take the lead in our response to wave two of COVID-19.
“We should not be sitting waiting for the ‘positive test to be confirmed’ we need to be actively preparing to keep our whānau, hapū and iwi safe.”
Te Arawa Whānau Ora are meeting with stakeholders about a co-ordinated approach to making testing stations more accessible to whānau on the ground.
“We need access to testing this should be in locations accessible to whānau; and hapū, iwi should be central to engaging effectively with at risk whānau.”
Te Arawa comprises a much higher proportion of Māori people living here in comparison with the national average.
Te Arawa has a substantial Māori population aged 12 to 19 with 51% of the population identifying as Māori with a high proportion of Māori who are most deprived (on low incomes, have long term conditions, reside in overcrowded and substandard housing and transient).
Te Arawa has a high number of Koeke who are particularly at significant risk and live in some of the most rural communities.
“They can locate at risk whānau and provide transport, support whānau to access and manage anxiety.”
“They can also support them to access other social services which they may need.”