The call came at 10.00am on Friday that Māori hauora provider in Murupara, Te Ika Whenua Hauora, had 24 hours to set up a vaccine clinic for Super Saturday.

Not long after, Ange Anderson, Te Puni Kōkiri Senior Advisor for Waikato-Waiariki, sprang into action to support Te Ika Whenua Hauora to get the clinic up and running in record time.

A Murupara local, Ange called upon her whānau, regional connections, and Te Puni Kōkiri kaimahi to help in any way they could.

“We were getting groceries, organising consent forms, and at 8pm on Friday we were at the marae prepping 200 hāngi to give out to everyone who got vaccinated. On the day, we transported people to and from the clinic and supported with admin and logistics. It was a real team effort.”

103 people were vaccinated on Saturday, a huge 5% of the town’s total population, and a big boost for Murupara which, as at 7 October 2021, had the lowest vaccination rates in Aotearoa.

“It was positive to see such a great turn out, just two days after a successful day of vaccinations at the Murupara clinic,” said Ataraita Jacob, Regional Director for Waikato-Waiariki.

“Super Saturday showed how our community can come together at the drop of a hat.”

Murupara is a snapshot of the spirit of Super Saturday, an example of the manaakitanga and whanaungatanga shown throughout Aotearoa. Te Puni Kōkiri kaimahi throughout the motu supported vaccine clinics, and kaupapa Māori health providers in their rohe, as organisers and volunteers ready to lend a hand wherever it was needed.

Super Saturday’s success came down to the hard work of Māori health providers, iwi organisations and marae, community groups, frontline workers, and the thousands of volunteers.

If you haven’t had a chance to get vaccinated yet, head to Karawhiua.nz and use the Vax Now function to find a clinic open near you. Haere tonu, Aotearoa!

Murupara kaumātua waits for his vaccination on Super Saturday.