$120m to vaccinate Maori

AUCKLAND: A total of $120 million will go towards helping to accelerate Maori vaccination rates, the Government has announced.

The $120 million for Maori will be split in two: there will be $60 million to further support vaccination rates, and $60 million to support Maori and iwiled initiatives that aim to protect communities from the Covid19.

Associate Minister of Health (Maori Health) Peeni Henare called on Maori, particularly young Maori, to follow the lead of their elders.

‘‘Our kuia, kaumatua are leading the way and now we need the rest of the whanau to do the same.

‘‘I say to my whanau and to our people: ‘Koinei te wa — the time is now’.’’

Young Maori continue to show a low vaccination rate; many aged 2029 have had only their first jab so far.

At the moment, 67% (384,711) of the eligible Maori population have had at least one dose. Of those, 46% (265,424) of Maori are fully vaccinated against the virus.

That vaccination rate is significantly lower than any other demographic.

Maori health providers, iwi and community groups — including marae — have been calling for a Maori for Maori approach in the vaccination rollout for months, especially during the current outbreak, as more Maori fell victim to Covid.

Health authorities said it had been difficult to reach Maori living in more rural or isolated areas of the country, while some Maori have said they simply cannot get to a vaccination centre because of work commitments or because it is too far.

In recent weeks, Maori health experts explained there remained a deep mistrust among some Maori for the Crown and Government, and the vaccine it was promoting.

Despite that, a lot of work has been made among iwi and Maori health providers to get vulnerable communities, including Pasifika, vaccinated. — The New