Minister for Māori Development, Willie Jackson, said today the fact that Māori had now surpassed 77% vaccination for one dose, and 61% for two doses was “very encouraging.” 

There is a further $13.25 million left, of the $60 million Māori Communities COVID-19 Fund for Phase One.  Phase Two funding (another $60 million) will be used to support Māori to protect their communities against Covid and respond to the new COVID-19 protection framework.  More information is on the website here.

Minister for Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti Minister Kelvin Davis said it was great to see the wide range of innovative ideas and initiatives that iwi, Māori providers and organisations were delivering.

“We are seeing everything from Tik Tok, kapa haka and music, being used to reach rangatahi and our kaimahi are doing the hard yards and door knocking to drum up vaccinations and answer those important questions whānau have,” he said. 

Contracts with providers cover the following regions:  Te Pou Matakana (North Island) (1) and Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu (South Island) (1), Te Tai Tokerau (11), Tamaki Makarau (5), Waikato-Waiariki (3), Ikaroa-Rāwhiti (2), Te Tai Hauāuru (1) and Te Waipounamu (2).

Associate Minister of Health (Whānau Ora) Minita mo Whānau Ora, Peeni Henare said funding had extended existing arrangements with Te Pou Matakana ($5 million) and Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu ($0.887 million) through 136 whānau ora providers for the South and North Islands.

"Te Pou Matakana has vaccinated over half a million Māori and non-Māori and its 80 providers expect to vaccinate up to 20,000 Māori before Christmas,” he said.  

Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu will build on its Manaaki 20 campaigns and encourage vaccination in six low vaccination areas in the South Island.

Photo credit: Whānau Waipareira