Ngāti Awa Kaumatua receive their Ngāti Awa Awhi.

Update:

Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngāti Awa have started delivering Ngāti Awa awhi packs. They will continue to do this over the coming days. A shipment of kai and bulk goods is destined for Motiti island on Wednesday.

30 were distributed today, a further 34 will go out tomorrow morning and 14 individual kaumatua packs will go to Motiti on Wednesday.

47 emergency packages are going to highly vulnerable whanau with 7 of these packages being delivered today.

Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngāti Awa will be contacting those kaumatua registered with Omataroa No. 2 Trust, Kiwinui Forest Trust, Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngāti Awa Kaumātua Programme, Ngāti Awa Kaumātua registered with Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa within the next 5 days. If you are not contacted within the next 5 days please call 0800 525 009.”

Covid-19 Response Team established at Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngāti Awa. Update to the Iwi COVID-19 #6

For more information go to https://nash.org.nz/covid19

A COVID-19 response team has been established and will oversee the implementation of the Iwi pandemic response plan. Our focus will be to ensure the safety and wellbeing of ngā uri o ngā hapū o Ngāti Awa. Critical services will be maintained, and the COVID-19 Ngāti Awa Response Strategy will be implemented.

  • Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngāti Awa are not closed with the exception of the Early Childhood Centre. We are still here for you by phone 0800 525 009.
  • Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngāti Awa are operating a triage service for emergency situations.
  • All services will operate as normal, with face to face home visits being replaced by phone calls, and the use of online technology.
  • Existing clients can keep in contact with their kaiawhina, nurses and programme coordinators by ringing or texting the usual cell phone numbers for support.
  • Critical Services such as Care & Protection, Emergency Housing, Family Harm Support are still operating under the usual referral protocols.
  • “Ngāti Awa Awhi” including support packages will be provided directly to Ngāti Awa kaumatua over 65 years. Please contact 0800 525 009.
  • Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngāti Awa will be contacting those kaumatua registered with Omataroa No. 2 Trust, Kiwinui Forest Trust, Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngāti Awa Kaumātua Programme, Ngāti Awa Kaumātua registered with Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa within the next 5 days. If you are not contacted within the next 5 days please call 0800 525 009.

COVID-19 Drive-through Assessment Centre Opens in Whakatāne. Update to the Iwi COVID-19 #5

A drive-through assessment centre for coronavirus (COVID-19) launched today at the Whakatāne War Memorial Hall as a collaborative effort between Te Puna Ora O Mataatua and The Eastern Bay Primary Health Alliance, with support from the Bay of Plenty DHB.

The centre has been set up to allow other medical centres, general practices (GPs) and Whakatāne Hospital to continue providing health services to the public without the threat of COVID-19 transmission.

People with suspected COVID-19 symptoms will be able to drive directly to the centre to be assessed.

“If you have respiratory symptoms, including shortness of breath or a sore throat, or flu-like symptoms you can be assessed at the drive through centre” says Med Central Director Dr Jethro Le Roy. “All assessment will be based from your car to ensure everyone can safely get support and advice without putting others at risk.”

People should ideally seek advice from Healthline 0800 358 5453 or their GP before attending the centre to check whether their symptoms meet the criteria for assessment and will need to arrive in a vehicle as no walk-ins will be accepted. People with symptoms are advised not to use public transport to travel to the centre.

The centre is open at Whakatāne War Memorial Hall, Short Street, on Wednesday 25 March and will be open seven days a week from 9am-6pm, with opening hours likely to change according to community need. Changes to these times will be publicised.

People who use the drive through service will need to drive up to the centre, register their details using the online system, and can then drive up to a triage station to be assessed from their cars. A team of doctors and nurses and support staff will be onsite to help with the process of assessing COVID-19 symptoms, testing, advice and treatment. People are asked for their patience and understanding at this time as this will help support our healthcare staff in carrying out their duties.

The launch of the centre was not publicised until after the first shift to allow a ‘soft opening’ on the first day, allowing staff to test systems and ensure it works well.

If a person is unable to access a vehicle or has other questions or support needs relating to the virus, they can call Te Puna Ora’s local information line 0800 628 228 and press 9 for the dedicated COVID-19 local support line.

PRESS RELEASE

Contact information:

Te Puna Ora O Mataatua & Eastern Bay of Plenty Primary Health Alliance

Contact: Anna Hughes

Phone: 0800 628228

anna.hughes@tpoom.co.nz

Nationwide state of emergency. Update to the Iwi COVID-19 #4

A nationwide state of emergency has been declared at 12.21 today due to COVID-19.

This covers all of New Zealand including the Chatham Islands, Stewart Island and other offshore islands.

Visit www.covid19.govt.nz for COVID-19 information and updates

Key information sources. Update to the Iwi COVID-19 #3

As the current COVID-19 situation continues to develop, we wanted to link you to some key information sources that you can share with whānau.

We are at Level 3 and moving to Level 4 at 11,59pm tonight (Weds 25 March). At this point, only essential services will operate.

The government has confirmed that  

Food will always be available – production will continue, distribution will continue, supermarkets will continue. You will always have access to food.

Medicines will always be available.

Healthcare for those that need it will be available.

Your usual financial support, like benefits, will continue as normal.

Remember, whatever you do must be solitary. Only spend time with those who you are in self-isolation with, and keep your distance from all others at all times.

Sources of current and correct information:

1. https://covid19.govt.nz/ This site provides an All of Government update which is updated on a regular basis and covers a wide range of issues from Public Health, Border Control, Economic Matters, Education, Workplace, Welfare, Travel and Infrastructure matters, etc.

You can also sign up for a daily newsletter of COVID national-level information here: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/i/ADC3F2ED21BCFD3C

2. www.health.govt.nz provides for all health updates and announcements – including information about Covid-19 cases

3. Follow the Unite Against Covid-19 Facebook page to get the most recent and accurate information.

You can find out more about the Alert Level system here: https://covid19.govt.nz/assets/COVID_Alert-levels.pdf

The more informed we all are the more effective we can be at mitigating the spread of Covid-19, stay safe and well. 

He waka eke noa.

Announcement from Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa. Update to the Iwi COVID-19 #2

Ngā mihi o te wā ki a koutou.

At these uncertain times we remain focussed on our iwi response to Whakaari and Covid-19, and are working as quickly as we can to get regular communications out to you. We are working with Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngati Awa to implement our iwi response and we will provide updates as they become available. We are planning for the social, cultural and economic impacts of Whakaari and Covid-19, and recognise that recovery will be long term.

With the new alert levels announced Monday 23 March we are closing the Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa offices and Te Mānuka Tūtahi Marae from Tuesday 24 March.

We will remain contactable via our regular phone numbers 073070760, 0800464284, and email runanga@ngatiawa.iwi.nz, individual staff member’s emails, video and audio conferencing.

Staff will continue working remotely, and we are only expecting the face to face nature of our functions to change.

Some marae have already closed, and we will continue to support tangihanga with Pātaka kai. If you require Pātaka kai and Customary Fisheries permits please contact our office using the contact details above.

Ngā manaakitanga o te waahi ngaro ki runga i a tātau i tēnei wā.

END

Iwi and Council successfully attract funding for major Whakatāne Regeneration projects

media

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

13 March 2020

Iwi and Council successfully attract funding for major Whakatāne Regeneration projects

Te Rāhui Lands Trust, Ngāti Awa Group Holdings Limited, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa and Whakatāne District Council are excited to announce their successful applications to the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF).

Minister Shane Jones announced today that a contribution of more than $36 million will be made towards three significant projects with wide-reaching benefits for the Whakatāne District.

The development of a new boat harbour, the revitalisation of the town centre and riverfront and the transformation of the Whakatāne Army Hall will go ahead as part of a suite of joint applications under the Whakatāne Regeneration Programme.

The Government’s Provincial Growth Fund has committed a  total of $19.6 million to the boat harbour development, $9.6m to the Riverfront Revitalisation project and $7.6 million to Kāinga, (home, village, residence) the transformation of the Whakatāne Army Hall into a vibrant destination for local, national and international visitors.

Ngāti Awa Group Holdings Limited (NAGHL) Chair Paul Quinn says the community is still recovering from the impact of the Whakaari tragedy and so this announcement is gratefully welcomed.

“This is an important opportunity for NAGHL to work with the Trust and the Council as we find ways to contribute, lift productivity and participate in the regional economy together,” he says.

Whakatāne District Mayor Judy Turner agrees, saying the collaboration represents a defining moment for the region and signals an incredible opportunity for economic development and  transformational uplift across the whole District.

“The benefits of both projects to local business and the community are huge. This is about working in partnership and identifying ways we can realise our long-term aspirations for our people,” says Mayor Turner.

“Whakatāne is home to two of the three largest aluminium boat builders in the country. The investment in a new boat harbour will allow us to deliver the fit-for-purpose infrastructure to drive more growth and employment in the marine and tourism sectors.”

“Transforming the town and riverfront areas will increase private sector investment and create a vibrant town centre for our community to enjoy, as well as supporting Whakatāne on the journey to become a world-class small-town destination for tourists,” she says.

It is estimated that through these two projects a total of 930 jobs could be created by 2050 with at least 450 of those roles operational in the next decade.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa Chair Joe Harawira says the Kāinga project will provide a physical ‘heart’ to the Whakatāne town centre and complement the riverside regeneration aspirations.

“Kāinga will promote and celebrate our unique heritage, culture and stories. This new destination will support iwi, wider community, recreational and commercial activities and create a gathering place for manuhiri (visitors) and locals.”

Te Rāhui Lands Trust Chair Brian Simpson says the Trust will play a lead role in the boat harbour development.

“This is a historical moment for us as we undertake this work in partnership to realise our collective goals,” says Mr Simpson.

“For us, it’s about taking a balanced approach. As kaitiaki we will ensure that the mauri of our whenua and the river will be enhanced by the project while also creating a development that will provide a sustainable solution for the marine sector.  The project will deliver intergenerational outcomes for our owners, hapū and the wider Whakatāne community.”

This announcement secures funding to key catalytic infrastructure projects that are seen as essential to unlocking the Eastern Bay of Plenty’s economic future, says Mayor Judy.

 “It’s an exciting time for the whole Eastern Bay. We are delighted at the opportunity to co-invest with Central Government to accelerate these investment opportunities and the benefits they will bring to our region,” she says.

The project partners look forward to engaging the wider community and seeking specific feedback that will go towards shaping the Whakatāne Regeneration projects within the scope of the funding programme.

ENDS

Editor notes:

Benefits from boat harbour and riverfront revitalisation projects by numbers:

  • More than 450 jobs by 2030 (direct and indirect)
  • More than 930 new jobs by 2050 (direct and indirect)
  • More than $80m local GDP growth per annum
  • Opportunity to attract $100m private investment in CBD
  • $111m additional GDP contribution by 2050