Te Ao Māori / Covid 19

Auckland Council launches effort to co-ordinate Covid-19 support for Māori

18:26 pm on 2 April 2020

The Auckland Council's emergency management team now has a new Māori function which will manage enquiries relating to Covid-19 by iwi, hapuu marae and whānau.

A view over the suburbs of Auckland. Photo: nataliacatalina/123RF

Pouwhakarae will ensure targeted support is given to Māori communities across Auckland.

General Manager of Māori Outcomes, Tania Winslade, said among the biggest concerns for Māori at the moment was how to manage tangihanga and look after kaumatua.

[https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/covid-19 See all RNZ coverage of Covid-19

"We're listening to Māori and being led by what they tell us," she said.

"At this stage they say they need support with fundamentals like fit-for-purpose communications; how to plan and deal with agencies in an appropriate way for them; tangihanga; how to support whānau, particularly kaumatua during this time.

"Iwi are also looking to provide leadership and we will support them, if they want us to."

  • If you have symptoms of the coronavirus, call the NZ Covid-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 (+64 9 358 5453 for international SIMs) or call your GP - don't show up at a medical centre

The new function will direct whānau to the appropriate agencies depending on their requests or concerns.

Parks, Arts, Community and Events Committee Chair Councillor Alf Filipaina said it will give Māori in Auckland a place to have their voices heard.

Pouwhakarae will ensure that Māori communities in Tāmaki Makaurau have a platform to voice their needs and that they receive appropriate support as we face the challenges of Covid-19 together.

All information and requests from whānau, iwi, hapū, marae, and Māori can be sent to AKGEOCpouwhakarae@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

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