Paula Rawiri, Te Puni Kōkiri Deputy Secretary applauded the more than 250 kaitono and thousands of kaimahi who had worked tirelessly over that time. “Their efforts have saved lives,” she said. 

“I am very proud of how our people have worked together. Kaitono have met the challenge of COVID-19 with massive energy, determination and passion.  Along the way they also embraced the associated needs for keeping whānau safe.”

MCCF was established for the period October 2021 to 30 June 2022 to mobilise and provide urgent funding support for rapid vaccination activities, to build resilience of vulnerable Māori communities and help hapori Māori to manage the impact of COVID-19.

Since it was established, the Māori first dose vaccination rate increased from 69% to 91% and the second dose rate from 49% to 88%.

Kelly Dunn, Te Arawhiti Deputy Chief Executive – Partnerships, acknowledged the tireless work of kaitono and that it has been “great to see such important mahi done for the benefit of whanau, hapū and iwi.”

“Kaitono have spent the last several months improving vaccination rates and increasing community resilience – it has been humbling to see how much they have been able to achieve with the assistance of the Fund.”

In June 2022, providers closed off their activities and developed their final reports to document what they had delivered.

Fund managers at Te Puni Kōkiri and Te Arawhiti have reviewed the benefits the funding has enabled and identified lessons learned for the future. This mahi has been led by an independent kaupapa Māori provider.

Read the Evaluation report .

This evaluation will be used to shape future government policy advice, including how ‘by Māori for Māori’ solutions can achieve better outcomes and value for government initiatives.