Vaccinators are going whare to whare with Pfizer shots in the Far North to make sure nobody misses out.
Te Iringa man Grant Tahere's vaccination. Photo: RNZ / Sam Olley
The region's population has been identified as one of the most vulnerable to Covid-19 complications with large proportions of elderly people and Māori, who are at high risk of hospitalisation from the virus.
Yesterday the prime minister reiterated her call for innovative plans to vaccinate Pasifika and Māori.
Today, in a newly-loosened lockdown at level 3, Te Hau Ora O Ngāpuhi and Hato Hone St John had an answer.
Every week from now on they will be teaming up for a hīkoi to homes, where Māori and Pasifika who have missed out on jabs so far, live.
Te Iringa man Grant Tahere (Ngāti Tautahi) got his first Covid-19 vaccine at the end of his driveway this morning.
"It's a great thing where the health authorities come to the people, actually where they live, for those that can't make it into town."
Newly-vaccinated Kaikohe man Simon Tenamu (Ngāpuhi) said the service made it much easier to get immunised.
"I was gonna have to take a day off work, so the fact they're here, it's beautiful. The more that get it the better eh."
One of today's stops was a Turners and Growers orchard at Waipapa to innoculate staff, mostly Ni-Vanuatu RSE workers.
They described it as a lockdown highlight.
Ni-Vanuatu RSE workers after their vaccinations. Photo: RNZ / Sam Olley
One worker, Grabriel Ham said: "I just want to keep my family safe back in Vanuatu.
"When, sometime, I go home, they're gonna be safe. I am not going to take the corona back home."
Grabriel Ham is relieved to be protecting his family back home in Vanuatu. Photo: RNZ / Sam Olley
The new door-to-door kaupapa also involves visiting hesitant whānau.
Te Hau Ora O Ngāpuhi chief operating officer Tia Ashby (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Te Āti Awa) said this meant "addressing some of the barriers to accessing a physical, clinical site by bringing the service to them at home".
"Some have been a bit hesitant to come in due to [the fact] it's a level four lockdown and they felt coming into an area where there's a lot of people, they might actually get Covid-19. Other reasons are, whānau may not have vehicles or they may be immobile."
And for anyone who is on the fence, Grant Tahere has something to say after his first dose today.
"It is a life-threatening health issue, not just in New Zealand but all over the world, so don't hesitate."