Time to shift gears on Covid response
Talofa lava. I hope that you and your whanau have enjoyed a relaxing summer so far. We have been fortunate with the warm weather here in Ka¯ piti, long may it continue!
Waitangi Day celebrations were a little different this year, but I hope you were able to find a way to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and had an enjoyable long weekend. I spent the weekend with my family attending events out in our rohe. Such awesome energy! Thanks to those who organised and hosted these free events for wha¯ nau.
I’m back into the mahi, having been out in the electorate the past couple of weeks and now back in Parliament. Last Wednesday, I did a business walk-around in Waikanae, having ko¯ rero with employees and business owners. It equipped me with great on-the-ground intel from our rohe and the opportunity to see some familiar faces!
After dropping into businesses, I did a couple of kai-related visits. Firstly, a stop for a snack and hot drink from the Front Room in Waikanae Beach and then to the Ka¯ piti Foodbank’s new site in Paraparaumu. They have had a couple of classrooms donated by Ka¯ piti College that Ka¯ piti Menzshed is helping get up to scratch — a real community effort all round!
Next stop was Ka¯ piti Youth Support, where I met with Raechel, the CEO. I always appreciate getting a rundown of how vital services like KYS are going. Super-grateful for those on the front lines, keeping our wha¯ nau and rangatahi in our rohe safe and well. We know that Covid adds another layer to this too, so huge mihi to those in our health workforce. In Covid news, last week the Prime Minister announced the Government’s plans to reconnect New Zealanders to the world. The New Zealand border will reopen to vaccinated Kiwis and other current eligible travellers from Australia at 11.59pm on February 27, and to the same groups from the rest of the world two weeks later on March 13. With 94 per cent of our population fully vaccinated, it’s time to shift gears in our Covid response. By reducing the gap to get boosted to three months, we’re ensuring we reach our highest possible boosted rates before fully reopening.
Two-thirds of New Zealanders are now eligible for their booster, as new mask requirements come in to help keep people safe. If you got your second vaccination at least three months ago, you can walk in or book in to get your booster from today. Book yours, or find a walk-in clinic near you, at bookmyvaccine. nz.