COVID-19 is hitting our world, nation and communities hard.
The Government and the Ministry for Pacific Peoples’ (MPP) priority is the health and safety of all New Zealanders with a focus to stamp COVID-19 out and keep it out.
Things in New Zealand are evolving rapidly, and the MPP team is working around the clock to try and get the information from the Government to Pacific communities.
Our aim is for you to stay aware, informed and educated as much as possible as this situation rapidly evolves.
As the situation unfolded last week, MPP Regional Partnership teams began delivering letters and providing pamphlets at churches and community groups in preparation for essential meetings with stakeholders.
Northern Region Senior Advisor Yara Richmond says the teams are connecting with some community groups to discuss emerging issues they are hearing/seeing in their communities, including accessing information, understanding how they can be supported health wise, financial support, and social support.
“We will be advising around some of the Government packages and what organisations/support is available to support,” she adds.
In terms of stakeholder engagements, Yara says teams are trying to reach out to stakeholders who work with Pacific and ascertain information from them.
“This information includes how well-prepared families are, employment support if a family member loses their job, or is made redundant; and to ensure organisations are connecting with families and individuals.”
Last Wednesday, the Pacific Leadership Forum, a council of leaders from the Pacific community, met with MPP Chief Executive Officer Laulu Mac Leauanae, where the creation of a core group of Forum and community members was discussed – this group will work with the Ministry to communicate with the Pacific community how to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Last Friday, MPP facilitated a talanoa between church leaders and clinicians to see how best to deliver key health messages to Pacific communities.
Last week, the New Zealand Government launched its Unite Against Covid-19 campaign.
This hub of knowledge is providing the most recent updates and helpful information for all New Zealanders and we are referring people to this website.
However, MPP is working to translate these key messages around COVID-19 into the languages of Samoa, Kiribati, Cook Islands, Rotuma, Tonga, Tuvalu, Tokelau, Niue and Fiji, which can be found HERE.
A Pacific Advisory Board is also currently being set up by Government to address Pacific specific issues.
We all need to do what we can to contain COVID-19, protecting all the peoples of New Zealand by minimising the spread of the virus.
By minimising our interactions, we minimise the ability of the virus to spread.
Please contact MPP if you have any concerns or queries about COVID-19.