The Associate Minister of Health admits Māori Covid-19 vaccination numbers have stalled but believes the new booster dose will be useful.
Associate Minister of Health Peeni Henare Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
A second booster will be available in the next few weeks to at-risk people who meet the criteria.
Only between 50 to 60 percent of Māori in many DHBs have had a booster shot, according to Ministry of Health data.
Peeni Henare said Māori health providers have been pushing tooth and nail to encourage Māori to protect themselves against the disease.
"They'll continue to educate our people, which is one of our biggest challenges.
"Vaccination is the end goal, but actually the journey is the education of our people to better health services."
Henare said many families have suffered as Covid spreads across Northland.