Oamaru Pacific Island Community Group Inc.

Supporting Pacific Peoples through a COVID-19 recovery plan

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/supporting-pacific-peoples-through-covid-19-recovery-plan

beehive.govt.nz The Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio says the Government is backing Pacific Peoples with a $195 million Pacific package to support the recovery and rebuild of Pacific communities from the COVID-19 pande

Malo lava le galue aiga, kainga Pasifika i Waitaki, thankyou for your hard work keeping our families and community in Waitaki safe. You have been amazing and we're proud of our community for our zero confirmed Covid cases so far. A huge achievement all round 🙌👊.
We are now in Level Two. Please continue to stick to our Level Two rules and Stay Safe.
Malo aupito, faafetai tele lava, Fakafetai lasi, Vinaka vakalevu

Ministry for Pacific Peoples

Tālofa,

Te Gana Tuvalu - Fakafouga o fakamatalaga i te COVID-19

EPISODE 4: WATCH LIVE AT 5PM, presented to you by Sueina Lisati

In this week's episode we talk about:
- 00:20 - Alert Level 2 key messages
- 01:34 - Dr Esela Natano talking through some key messages from the Ministry of Health - Manatū Hauora
- 03:34 - Update on Visa extentions from Immigration NZ
- 04:58 - Messages from The Generator, Vaka Tautua and Emerge Aotearoa Group on support for our Pacific communities
- 06:18 - Le Va - Respect your bubble
- 07:19 - A message from Ministry of Social Development NZ on the Winter Energy Payment
- 08:24 - Family time with the Malaga's

Ministry for Pacific Peoples

Talofa lava,

Gagana Samoa - Lipoti lata mai i le COVID-19

EPISODE 4: WATCH LIVE AT 2PM, presented to you by Tavai Meni

- 00:20 - Alert Level 2 key messages
- 01:48 - Dr Siro Fuatai talking through some key messages from the Ministry of Health - Manatū Hauora
- 03:59 - Update on Visa extentions from Immigration NZ
- 05:41 - Messages from The Generator, Vaka Tautua and Emerge Aotearoa Group on support for our Pacific communities
- 07:03 - Le Va - Respect your bubble
- 08:01 - A message from Ministry of Social Development NZ on the Winter Energy Payment
- 09:21 - Family time with the Fepulea'i's

Ministry for Pacific Peoples

Malo e lelei,

Lea Faka Tonga: Fakamatala fakamuimui ki he COVID-19

EPISODE 4: WATCH LIVE AT 3PM, presented to you by Kitekeiaho Tuakalau

- 00:20 - Alert Level 2 key messages
- 01:55 - Dr Staverton Kautoke talking through some key messages from the Ministry of Health - Manatū Hauora
- 05:15 - Update on Visa extentions from Immigration NZ
- 06:47 - Messages from The Generator, Vaka Tautua and Emerge Aotearoa Group on support for our Pacific communities
- 08:08 - Le Va - Respect your bubble
- 09:05 - A message from Ministry of Social Development NZ on the Winter Energy Payment
- 10:18 - Family time with the Tu'itupou's

Ministry for Pacific Peoples

Here are the key messages following Health Minister Hon David Clark and Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield's update about the rules for tangihanga and funerals in alert level two.

Great to help Wellsouth and SDHB today with our community testing. Well done to all that participated and helped out yesterday.

What an amazing day in Waitaki, with WellSouth and general practice teams carrying out surveillance testing for Corvid-19. Alliance Pukeuri employees and the Pacifika community volunteering to be tested to help us be sure there is no undetected community spread. We are in this together and we couldn't be more proud of Southern's efforts to conquer Covid.

Help support local businesses team

Whoop! Go Waitaki!!!

Get the What's Open Waitaki app at https://waitaki.glideapp.io/

Thank you for doing your part to keep our community safe.

The Total NZ confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases increased by nine to 1,440. There were no new Pacific cases reported today, so the number remains at 66.

Stay home and keep safe in your own home and bubble.

MOH COVID-19 cases
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-current-situation/covid-19-current-cases

https://covid19.govt.nz/

Cultural values aid in response

An insightful piece in the Otago Daily Times by Hana Halalele. Hana talks about our Pacific Cultural Resilience that comes in to play in these unprecedented times.

Malo lava Hana for telling it as it is.

Stay safe and stay home to save lives

odt.co.nz Strengthened by cultural resilience, people leaving lockdown must not lose sight of what their sacrifice has accomplished, writes Hana Halalele,...

Talofa everyone, thankyou all for hanging in there. Have had a wee break from fb the past week, but not a day goes by when we don't think about our community. We are nearly there. Stay home, save lives, malo lava le onosai ♥️.

Talofa lava everyone
Please feel free to utilise this Helpline service for any welfare needs including food, household goods, services. It has been set up by our Emergency Operation Centre to give support those of us may need during this pandemic. 0800 322 4000. This helpline is operating 7 days a week from 7am to 7pm.
Or Pm Hana Halalele if you need a hand with accessing it.
Fa'afetai lava, malo aupito

NEED HELP? Anyone in Otago who needs assistance in relation to emergency food, household goods/services or any other welfare-type requests can call 0800 322 4000. This helpline is operating 7 days a week from 7am to 7pm.

Gary Kircher - Mayor for Waitaki

UPDATE ON SATURDAY: We are back on one again. Check my post - Back to One

The following was posted on Friday:
We had a confirmed ‘probable’ case of Covid-19 in Waitaki but after multiple tests and investigation, it has come back as NEGATIVE. So some graphics may show Waitaki as having one case, but we are back to zero! But let’s not get complacent, and please let’s keep doing the right things. Waitaki, you rock! Let’s stay home and save lives!!! ❤

Waitaki District Council

Good morning Waitaki. As the early hours get a little chilly, know that delivery of firewood for home heating is considered an essential service. You can arrange to have your firewood delivered to your house. Just take sensible precautions to protect you and the delivery person from exposure to COVID-19, like avoiding any physical interaction and keeping a distance of 2 metres.

Check wood for Guinea Pigs before burning.

Save lives and stay home folks 🙌🤗

I thought I should take a screenshot of today’s summary of Covid-19 cases in the Southern DHB region which covers Otago and Southland. As I have said before, it is only a matter of time before there is a number in that circle for Waitaki, and whether it is a 1, 2 or something else, it will happen. Please keep acting as though there is Covid-19 in our district and in your town, as that is the only way to limit spread.

And if you are one of the bulletproof super-humans who is ignoring the rules and deliberately doing things which increase risk of spreading the disease, then please stop. Stop being a selfish human being, and start taking responsibility. Start showing some care for yourself, for the people around you, and for your community. The time to act is now, and all you have to do is... nothing! Stay home, save lives. It doesn’t get much simpler!

If you have to go out, please stay 2m from others. Please do not use your car unless you are travelling to an essential service or back to your bubble. Please wash your hands regularly and thoroughly. Please be kind to others.

Waitaki District Council

NEED HELP? Anyone in Otago who needs assistance in relation to emergency food, household goods/services or any other welfare-type requests can call 0800 322 4000. This helpline is operating 7 days a week from 7am to 7pm.

Unite against COVID-19

covid19.govt.nz This website has everything you need to know about COVID-19 in one place. Learn the simple steps you can take to unite against the virus and slow its spread. Find out what help is available and get the latest updates.

Gary Kircher - Mayor for Waitaki

Media release from Council:

Local Open Business Directory for Waitaki

With the aim of providing Waitaki with comprehensive information in the current COVID-19 Level 4 situation, the Waitaki District Council has launched a ‘What’s open in Waitaki’ page on its website, www.waitaki.govt.nz

Intended to eventually be a full list of all local businesses that are staying open during Level 4, the page is part of the wider COVID-19 Waitaki Response page, which includes information on Council Services and facilities, support for people and businesses, and now also a directory of open businesses in Waitaki.

The current list includes businesses such as Medical Centres and Pharmacies, Vets, Food and Service Providers, Service Stations and Transport options.

Economic Development Manager for WDC Gerard Quinn wants to let Waitaki know that the current listing is just the start. “We are still working with local businesses to fill this list and encourage everyone who wants to be included to get in touch with us,” he said. All open businesses in Waitaki who wish to be included on these lists are invited to register their details with Waitaki District Council by emailing [email protected] . Please advise your location, contact details and a website link so people can check for any specific conditions.

Business owners are reminded that it is the business’s responsibility to ensure they are acting according to the law while staying open. If businesses are uncertain about whether or not they can continue to operate they are urged to contact MBIE by emailing [email protected] or calling 0800 22 66 57 (9 am to 5 pm).

Waitaki District Council

KERMIT THE TENT As of today, April 1st, there is a bright green tent by the side door of Oamaru Hospital's Emergency Department (ED).

This tent is kindly supplied by St John
• The purpose is to provide an appropriate clinical space for hospital staff to see persons that may have Covid-19 or other infectious conditions
• There will be security presence around the tent
• No one is to enter this tent unless directed to by an ED staff member
• ED staff members will use this space to take history and swabs where this is clinically indicated
• The purpose of having this tent is to maintain our ED as being Covid-19 free for as long as possible

Public are to present to the side door of ED if unwell. Staff will talk to you through the intercom and may either have you enter ED or be directed to the tent.

Unless it is an emergency - call your GP anytime if you are unwell. There is a GP available at all times.

A big thank you to St John for the loan of this tent!

Ensuring support is available for those most in need - Waitaki District Council

From Waitaki district council page:

OTAGO HELPLINE ACTIVATED

A regional COVID-19 help centre has been set up in Otago for anyone who needs assistance in relation to emergency food, household goods/services or any other welfare-type requests and will operate 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week.

Anyone in the region requiring welfare support should in the first instance email [email protected] or call 0800 322 4000. Cheers to Dunedin City Council, who put their hands up to manage the call centre. Requests will be passed on to the appropriate civil defence teams in each of the district or city councils, who will respond to the welfare needs identified.

Read the full story here:

https://www.waitaki.govt.nz/our-council/news-and-public-notices/news/Pages/ensuring-support-for-those-in-need.aspx

waitaki.govt.nz ​31 March 2020With the country in lock down many minds are turning to the elderly and vulnerable who may be without assistance at this time.Civil Defence and Emergency Management Otago acknowledges that it is natural and admirable to want to support others but is asking that people direct their

Gary Kircher - Mayor for Waitaki

PHOTO FOR EFFECT

Tomorrow, St John will be setting up an inflatable tent in the car park beside the ambulance bay at Oamaru Hospital. (I haven’t seen what it looks like so have chosen this pic for effect). For the hospital to operate safely, it is imperative that there are two areas - green and red, to keep people with suspected COVID-19 away from people with other ailments seeking treatment at the Emergency Department. The tent will be the ‘red’ area (yes, I know these tents are green 🙂) and it will be used to consult with those people suspected of possibly having COVID-19 and to take tests swabs if required. Unless someone is showing severe symptoms of the disease, they will then be required to go home and self-isolate until the test results are back, usually the next day. Please remember that 90% of patients will not need to be admitted to hospital as their symptoms will be similiar to a cold or flu and they can self-isolate at home, or somewhere else will be arranged should their home not be suitable). It is only the other 10% who will need further care, with approximately 2.5% possibly needing to be taken to Dunedin Hospital.

And the best way to avoid all that? Stay home, and if you have to go out to work or the supermarket, please remember to stay at least 2 metres away from other people. If that isn’t possible for those who have to work, ensure that you have appropriate personal protective equipment. Stay safe everyone! ❤

Waitaki District Council

NO Wi-Fi AT LIBRARY: WiFi has been switched off at all Waitaki District Libraries: Ōamaru, Palmerston and Kurow to prevent people gathering and risking exposure to COVID-19 . This is not something we wanted to do as we know how many people rely on this in our communities. However, we have been directed to do so by the National Library who play a role in providing this service, after requests from Civil Defence representatives and Police.

Work and Income - Work and Income

Talofa, Malo e lelei, Bula, Fakalofa lahi atu, Malo ni everyone.

Some notices for our Pasifika aiga/kainga during lockdown, Fale Pasifika are a Whanau Ora provider and have funding to provide some food packages.

If you would like this support please contact Mary Jane Kivalu, Chairperson (021 2536117). There are some questions to answer for their funder (Pasifika Futures), create package and deliver, then they follow up in 14 days.
We will keep you posted with any other avenues for support.

For additional queries re financial assistance you might be eligible for please contact MSD 0800 559 009 or go to www.workandincome.govt.nz; if you're over 65 ring 0800 552 002 or www.seniors.msd.govt.nz.
Stay safe everyone Malo lava le onosai.

workandincome.govt.nz Work and Income are here to help you financially if you're on a low income or not working, support you into work and help you find housing.

Waitaki Community Recreation Centre

Les Mills classes on TVNZ - check out the timetable below! Body Balance, Body Combat and Body Attack - a great mix of strength & flexibility & cardio, and Born to Move - aimed at kids and teenagers (and great for all of us!)

Gary Kircher - Mayor for Waitaki

How's everything at your place, Waitaki? Let me know if you have any problems or questions and I'll see if I can point you in the right direction. Thank you to everyone who is staying home or who has to provide essential services! 👏👏

Gary Kircher - Mayor for Waitaki

Waitaki = 0

It’s not often that I love it when Waitaki has the lowest score, but when it comes to Covid-19, zero is a FANTASTIC score and that is the number of positive cases that we currently have! Last night there was confusion when it was reported that Waitaki had a positive case, and then that same case showed as being in South Canterbury. Both were right, but aren’t right now. After some serious digging around, it turns out that the person in question arrived into Christchurch on his flight from Europe, then made his way to a crib in Lake Ohau Village, and was there for a while. At some stage, he was unwell and got tested in the South Canterbury DHB area, and returned to his home in Christchurch where he has been self-isolating since then.

All of the people closely associated with the person will have been traced and advised they need to self-isolate for two weeks. Any testing of those people will either have been done or will be carried out if they show any symptoms of Covid-19. So we still have zero cases in our district!

BUT... the message is very clear - there have been a number of people travelling in Waitaki who have tested positive. There is a chance that there are people here who do not yet know that they have Covid-19. You may know them. The need to have all non-essential-work people self-isolating is critical to managing its spread.

PLEASE take the lock-down seriously. PLEASE take sensible precautions. PLEASE remember that doing everything right will help save lives. And lastly, please look after yourself and the people around you. We can do this!

Gary Kircher - Mayor for Waitaki

UPDATE: MYSTERY SOLVED - See my next post on this topic.

There are reports that we have a positive case of COVID-19 in Waitaki, but neither the CEO of the Southern DHB nor the CEO of the South Canterbury DHB are aware of it, which is particularly strange. I am doing what I can to track down information and confirm where this happened, but the key message as always is - Don’t panic.

The reported case is of a 20-something year old, who has flown in from Switzerland a week ago. Reports place him in either Waitaki, or South Canterbury. It is possible that both are correct as the area from Duntroon up past Lake Ohau Village is in Environment Canterbury area, so the government says that is South Canterbury, and obviously it is Waitaki. But it is highly unusual for both DHBs to be unaware of the case.

So if it is true, what are the implications? If true, then the medical authorities will carefully track every contact that the person has had and alert them. Those people will be required to self-isolate with stricter rules about staying at their homes. Our Emergency Management Team will provide welfare support, ensuring they have what they need to remain at home and be safe. If they show any symptoms, they will be tested (if they haven’t already been tested) and that will indicate whether they too have been infected. In the case of the Logan Park pupil who went to school while sick, 150 other pupils who were in classes with him were tested - all were negative for COVID-19. In this case, the original positive case will likely have been taken home to recover unless symptoms indicate something more serious. Around 90% of people with COVID-19 are able to recuperate at home, with proper measures put in place to protect others.

So... Please do not panic. IF the case is in Waitaki, it is not a case of community transmission as he flew in with the disease and since became ill with the symptoms showing at that stage. We will know more tonight, or tomorrow so concerns can be alleviated further. If anyone has been in sufficiently close contact with the person, they will have been identified and advised already. Please take care, please stay calm, and please look out for each other. Thank you ❤

Talofa, Talofa lava, malo e lelei, Kia orana, Fakalofa lahi atu, Bula Vinaka, Taloha ni everyone.
Our Prime Minister has announced we are now at Alert Level 3 and will rise to Alert Level 4 in 48 hours.
This means:
-non essential businesses must close
-48 hrs all businesses that provide takeaway services must close doors
-all indoor and outdoor events cannot proceed
- schools will be closed from tomorrow except to kids of essential services like Drs, police, ambo drivers to give them time to plan
-schools will close entirely from midnight Wednesday
-people must work from home to limit contact
-public transport will transition over next 48 hrs

These measures will be in place for four weeks or until further notice.
Please look after yourselves and stay safe
Faafetai lava, malo aupito, Vinaka vaka levu

Gary Kircher - Mayor for Waitaki

It's official:

Saturday March 21st 2020.

Waitaki Aquatic Centre – COVID-19 updates.

We’ve closed our Aquatic Centre until further notice, to support the Government’s fight against COVID-19.

This includes all activities and programmes - ie swim school & squads from 7pm Saturday March 21st 2020.

All pre payments have been automatically frozen for all customers (swim school & squad).

Expiry dates on concession cards & memberships will also be extended.

Please take care, be kind to yourself and others.
We will be sharing more information as it comes to hand via our page - please share and follow our page.

More information

Visit covid19.govt.nz for health concerns and advice

Waitaki District Council

https://www.facebook.com/216619321709111/posts/2793514790686205/

CLOSED We have decided to close all Waitaki district libraries in the interests of keeping everyone safe. For the same reason, the Waitaki Aquatic Centre is also closed, effective immediately. More details to follow.

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Waitaki District Council

Want to help but not sure who to contact? Age Concern Otago's Waitaki office are mobilizing a volunteer army to aid not just people self-isolating but the elderly and those in our community stuck at home. Here's a form so you can let them know what help you can provide. Get in touch right now by calling them on 03 434 7008 and they'll give you more details about where to drop it off and who's doing what.