COVID-19: Information for Maori
COVID-19 Information for Māori
Hūtia te rito o te harakeke. Kei hea te kōmako, e kō? Uia mai ki ahau, he aha te mea nui o te ao? Māku e kī atu; he tangata, he tangata, he tangata!
Pluck the heart from the flax bush - where will the bellbird be? Ask me, what is the most important thing in the world? I will reply, it is people, it is people, it is people!
Latest updates
The Government is providing help in a range of ways
Changes to the way Te Puni Kōkiri is working
As tangata whenua, we have specific issues and key areas that are important for us as Māori. Te Puni Kōkiri has set up this dedicated page to provide information and guidance to help support you and your whānau. The page is updated frequently.
You can find information about changes to Te Puni Kōkiri programmes as a result of COVID-19.
You can read more about the many community responses to COVID-19, including Ngāti Awa organising essential supplies for whānau on Mōtītī Island.
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Latest updates
For the latest information on how things work at Alert Level 3, see the covid.govt.nz website.
Tangihanga guidelines
There are now guidelines prepared for marae and tangihanga at Level 3.
You can find factsheets in English and te reo Māori here, under this heading ‘COVID-19 Alert Level 3 – Kei te rāhuitia tonutia te motu'.
COVID-19: Funerals and tangihanga on the Ministry of Health website
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Help for you and your whānau
This link goes to the government’s central website for COVID-19 public information. It is the fastest way to find help and up-to-date information about the COVID-19 situation across Aotearoa.
Direct help in your rohe
We can help connect you to the support you need in your rohe.
Regional networks
The Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) centres in regions can help with urgently needed food and other essential items.
Click here to see a list of telephone numbers for regional centres.
If the local emergency centres cannot help, Te Puni Kōkiri regional teams can connect you directly to the right services and key people in your rohe.
Contact a regional office of Te Puni Kōkiri
Whānau Ora Commissioning Agencies are also responding directly to support whānau:
Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency (North Island)
Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu (South Island) and their #Manaaki20 initiative
This work is supported by the government support packages announced in March 2020.
Announcement for Māori communities
Māori health providers
Māori health providers across the motu are working around the clock to assist you and your whānau.
For information that has been developed by leading Māori health experts for whānau Māori
To find a North Island Māori health provider
To find a South Island Māori health provider
Information for whānau and iwi
There is a dedicated section of the COVID-19 website for Māori. This includes guidance on tikanga and gatherings, and resources for whānau and for iwi. There is information you can use to look after yourself and those in your mirumiru (bubble), and resources to support iwi responding to COVID-19.
Māori communities on covid19.govt.nz
Tangihanga guidelines
The official guidelines for tangihanga were updated for Alert Level 3 on 27 April 2020.
COVID-19: Funerals and tangihanga on the Ministry of Health website
NOTE: The Ministry of Health will be issuing further guidelines for whānau on what to do during Alert Levels 2 and 1. The care and protection of our whānau is paramount – please keep informed about tangihanga guidelines at every alert level.
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Protecting your hauora
If you are concerned about any symptoms you are experiencing, contact Healthline (for free) or call your doctor before visiting.
Healthline 0800 358 5453 (or international: +64 9 358 5453)
Stress and emotional support
If you need to talk to someone urgently about your wellbeing or someone you are concerned about, call or text 1737 any time, 24 hours a day or you can visit this website:
Getting through together campaign on www.allright.org.nz/campaigns/getting-through-together
Hygiene and protection
The Ministry of Health website has detailed information about hygiene and protection against COVID-19, including personal protective equipment (PPE) for essential workers.
Ministry of Health COVID-19 webpages
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The Government is providing help in a range of ways
covid19.govt.nz
You can see a list of the support available, including help with food and other essentials, finances, accommodation, education, animals and for travellers, here:
See 'General factsheets' on covid19.govt.nz
Click here for quick links to government agencies that can help.
Key phone numbers
Healthline 0800 358 5453 (or international: +64 9 358 5453)
If you are unable to find what you need on the covid19.govt.nz or Ministry of Health websites, and are not sure who to contact for help, call the free Government helpline.
Government helpline 0800 779 997
Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) centres in regions can help with urgent need for household goods and services and other essential items.
Click here to see a list of telephone numbers for regional centres.
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Changes to the way Te Puni Kōkiri is working
If you have a current contract with Te Puni Kōkiri and need to know what to do.
For information on housing repairs and papakāinga development during COVID-19
For information about support for whenua businesses
COVID-19: Support for whenua businesses
For an update about Te Pūtake o te Riri funding
Te Pūtake o te Riri Funding – COVID19
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Resources to download
Protect our Whakapapa resources
Protect our Whakapapa Posters (English and te reo Māori)
Factsheets from government COVID-19 portal
Welfare - getting the help and support you need (factsheet 1 April 2020) [PDF, 162KB]
Services and support contact card A4 (22 April 2020) [PDF, 51KB]
Services and support contact card A5 (22 April 2020) [PDF, 50KB]
