Jacinda Ardern explains what NZ Govt’s doing to help Maori during the pandemic

Wellington: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says Maori are at the decision-making table during the COVID-19 response - despite calls Maori are being left out. Ms Ardern says there’s been a real effort to make sure the Government is engaging with Maori as early and as quickly as possible. So far Maori health providers such as Whanau Ora and more than 130 health organisations have been at the centre of the Maori health response. A number of Marae and iwi groups have also played a key role in supporting kaumatua and families.

District health boards, Ardern adds, are also forming key relationships with Maori as well.

“That on the ground response for me has been the most important part.”

Ms Ardern highlights the success of the Northland, Whanganui and Te Tairawhiti District Health Boards in working alongside iwi and health providers to bring Maori to the table.

“Maori are part of the decisionmaking at a District Health Board level.”

One of the biggest impacts for whanau (family) across the country are the strict rules around tangihanga (traditional Maori funeral). During alert level 3 only 10

whanau members are allowed at a

tangi (funeral)- but Ms Ardern says it’s a necessary measure to stop COVID-19 spreading.

“This has been one of the hardest parts of our response - people who have lost loved ones,” she says. “I hope it won’t be for much longer.” The economic fallout is expected to be widely felt by Maori, who Ms Ardern says are impacted most through economic shocks. Newshub