The new framework will replace the Alert Level system once we reach milestone vaccination rates of 90% in Auckland and 90% for the rest of the country.

• The framework has three levels:
  • Green is when there is some COVID-19 in the community
  • Orange will be used to control spread at low levels when it is present in the community
  • Red will be used to actively bring case numbers down if needed

High levels of vaccination will enable the introduction of the new framework and more freedom from things like lockdowns. Read more about the new framework announcement.

Ministers Davis, Henare and Jackson today also announced details of a new $120m Māori Communities COVID-19 Fund.

The fund involves a two-phase approach focused on further mobilising local vaccination initiatives for whānau, and on supporting Māori, iwi and communities to prepare for the new framework.

$60m will go towards accelerating Māori vaccination rates and a further $60m will support Māori and iwi-led initiatives to protect their communities against COVID-19.

Te Puni Kōkiri will be responsible for administering the fund, working alongside Te Arawhiti and the Ministry of Health.

All the evidence shows that vaccination prevents serious illness and fatalities - 97% of cases in the current Delta outbreak here in Aotearoa have not been vaccinated.

Phase One ($60m)

The fund will provide direct financial support to iwi and Māori organisations, to accelerate vaccination uptake over the next two months. Access to the funding for phase 1 activities will begin from 25^th October through to the end of the year.  Rapid vaccination uptake is our priority.

The fund will complement existing vaccination roll-out efforts. It will focus on areas where Māori vaccination rates are low – currently Counties Manukau, Lakes District, Northland, Taranaki and Tairawhiti DHB areas, but these may change over time. 

There will also be a focus on other priority groups including rangatahi, whānau without permanent housing, tangata whaikaha, whānau who are not well-connected to health services and Māori with mental health and addiction conditions and whānau in rural and remote communities.

The funding will help connect vaccinators with whānau and whānau with vaccinators. This includes funding for mobile services, communications, incentives, sites, workforce, events, IT etc.

A Ministerial Oversight Group will oversee the Māori Communities COVID-19 Fund, made up of the Minister of Finance, the Minister for Māori Crown Relations – Te Arawhiti, the Associate Minister of Health (Māori Health) / te Minita mō Whānau Ora, and te Minita Whanaketanga Māori.

Phase Two ($60m)

This fund will support Māori, iwi and communities to respond to the new COVID-19 protection framework which, in some cases, will involve adapting and implementing existing pandemic response plans and resilience planning.

Funding will focus on increasing resilience, ensuring access to information and resources, and supporting locally-led and co-designed approaches to managing and minimising the impacts of COVID-19.

Ministers will agree Phase 2 funding criteria and approach in November and more information will be provided then.

Read more about the Māori Communities COVID-19 Fund.

Māori and iwi organisations who want further information on accessing funding to support initiatives, please email maoricovidfund@tpk.govt.nz.