Tēnā koutou ngā uri o Ngāti Rangitihi.
We are two weeks into the COVID-19 Alert Level 4 rāhui. We are so thankful our people are following the regulations and staying home, staying safe and ensuring our kaumātua are looked after.
We held a live Q&A on Facebook with Te Mana administrator D’Arcy Stoneham on Wednesday 8 April. We had lots of our whānau tune in for this and ask questions. For those who missed it, you can still view a playback of the Q&A video here.
D’Arcy is part of the team who have been working very hard to ensure our kaumātua have the support they need right now. From all of us at Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi Trust – thank you to D’Arcy, Alana and Rita for all your efforts.
Here is a summary of the type of support we are providing for our kaumātua and those at risk.
- Delivering pre-packed kai packages from our friends at The Food Company.
- Weekly deliveries of chicken – so far this has been delivered to two third of Ngāti Rangitihi households.
- Putting together and delivering care packages with essential supplies: flour, milk powder, sugar.
- Delivering hygiene packs from Te Arawa Whānau Ora – more to come.
- Doing grocery shopping – leaving it at the front door.
- Providing car rides if kaumātua need to go to the Doctor.
- Checking in on our kaumātua by phone to see if they are ok.
- Showing our kaumātua how to use technology.
Our Te Mana community support staff are essential workers and are equipped with all the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) they need to keep themselves, our kaumātua, and all those considered at risk, safe.
During these times, it is important that we focus our support efforts on where it is most needed, and that is supporting our kaumātua. If you, or any of our whānau need assistance or have ideas of what other support we could be providing, please let us know.
- Phone: Alana Hunter (027 557 4453) or D’Arcy Stoneham (027 557 4456)
- Email us at: info@ngatirangitihi.iwi.nz
- Send us a message on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ngatirangitihi
Likewise, we need more helpers to take these on-the-ground Matatā initiatives and replicate this in the regions where our kaumātua are located. If you are in Whakatāne, Rotorua, Hamilton, Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch, and can help, please contact Te Mana Trustee, Donna Semmens: email donna.semmens@yahoo.co.nz or phone 027 344 7768
If you are at home and wondering how you can help, there are some simple ways:
- Phone your nanny and koro – ask if they are ok. Keeping connected is important.
- Resist the urge to awhi – it’s not forever, but it’s important now so we can fight COVID-19.
- Offer to do groceries for kaumātua in your family and those at risk.
- Encourage your kaumātua to call their moko if they want to kōrero – don’t visit.
Ngāti Rangitihi, let’s unite in our efforts to fight COVID-19.
We hope you have a safe Easter break and spend the time to connect with your whānau, whether that’s online or with those in your bubble.
He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.