Pacific communities in New Zealand's main city centres are encouraged to seek support amidst the nationwide lockdown.
Meanwhile, the government has urged church leaders to advise their congregations to get tested for Covid-19, hastening to add that Pasifika peoples are not being judged.
Pacific Peoples Minister Aupito William Sio urged church leaders to advise their congregations to get tested Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas
The Whānau Ora commissioning agency Pasifika Futures said families in need of immediate assistance, could access packages of household items and food supplies.
Director Craig Sionetuato said increased funding had allowed the support.
Those living in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch can enquire with the Pasifika Futures website.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said hope and hard work will get Pasifika back to a sense of normality.
Ardern spoke at a virtual meeting last night with community leaders about key Covid-19 messaging.
Pacific Peoples Minister Aupito William Sio also spoke at the meeting, saying church leaders should advise their congregations to get tested, after it was revealed an infected person attended Sunday service.
"We're not blaming anybody other than the virus. But we really do need the cooperation of our church leaders, particularly when there is a positive test in and amongst your congregation."
Aupito was adamant Pasifika will not be judged based on their ethnicity.
Concerns for vulnerable families
A Pacific health and social service provider in Auckland is worried about the effects of the city's fifth lockdown on vulnerable families.
The chief executive of The Fono, Tevita Funaki, said that before the latest Covid-19 outbreak, many whānau had been getting back on their feet after earlier pandemic disruptions.
He said the latest developments will be a real setback for them and they were likely to experience increased levels of anxiety and stress, especially for those who cannot work from home.
"We're very concerned around the level of hardship of families. I think families were starting to get back into the normality of things, economically."
Funaki said The Fono was gearing up to provide more food, financial, welfare and mental health support.
He noted that families with children will be facing extra stress with schools reverting to online learning.
"In the previous lockdowns we see slight prevalence in terms of increased distress in mental health, and also the rate around family violence."
Funaki said The Fono will also be keeping a close eye on rates of family violence.