On the ground...
In March 2020, when news broke that a Covid-19 Level 4 Lockdown was imminent, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Hinemanu me Ngāti Paki ki Mōkai Pātea (the Rūnanga) sprang into action.
Food and hygiene products were purchased, boxed at Winiata Marae, and delivered to kaumātua in the local Taihape Area before lockdown began, and a Tangihanga Policy was written with consideration for a whānau member in palliative care. Designed to help bereaved navigate tikanga and law within trialling Lockdown restrictions, it was later adopted by other iwi too.
Volunteers contacted all 60+ year olds on the Ngāti Hinemanu database to ascertain if they had whānau support or personal needs. Weekly calls assured them help was near, and assistance - including transport for shopping or medical appointments - was provided.
He aha te mea nui o tēnei ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata!
Alternating weekly distributions of ‘Wellbeing’ and then ‘Kai’ boxes followed for kaumātua in P.N, Marton, Bulls, Whanganui and Taihape. This list grew to accommodate others in need; regardless of age or race.
Two fully furnished, self-contained units were established at Winiata Marae for anyone needing to isolate. Social media updates disseminated key information and doubled as a lifeline for whānau requiring help. The Rūnanga advocated for a ‘no questions asked’ referral to the Taihape Foodbank on behalf of the whole community.
In 2022, the Rūnanga distributed 40 Winter Resilience packages to assist whānau through the looming Covid winter. Recipients received fully installed heat pumps, or three loads of firewood, or a $1000 grant to cover household, vehicular or school expenses.
Rēhita Mai
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