Marae-based centre leads way on vaccine

Manurewa Marae has put up its hand to be a leading example for South Auckland communities to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

“We can’t expect our wha¯nau to do it if we don’t do it ourselves,” said the marae’s chief executive, Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp.

The move follows an urgent call from community and marae leaders, who raised concerns over the safety of South Auckland after community transmission broke out in Papatoetoe in late February.

After a karakia service yesterday morning to welcome the first batch of vaccines, frontline workers and kauma¯tua received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Up first was the marae’s board chairman, Rangi McLean (left), who said he had no concerns and couldn’t wait. “We hope to positively promote the fact that getting vaccinated is the way to go, to look after your wha¯nau, your wider wha¯nau and your community,” he told the Herald.

“We made the decision over a year ago when Covid first visited our shores. We made a stand and put our hands up to help our community.

“We’re not sure when this is going to end but anything to do with Covid, Manurewa will jump on board to address it.”

Kemp says Manurewa Marae is a safe place for anyone who is vaccinehesitant and for those seeking more information to make an informed decision for themselves.

The marae has partnered with Counties Manukau District Health Board and Wha¯nau Ora to provide resources and other services to assist concerned people of the community.

“Having the right information from the right, credible people, we want to be that for our people.

“Wha¯nau can come here to collect information and feel confident.

“We’re saying it’s okay and we want to lead the way for our people.”

The marae has a priority group for those who are 60 years old and over, including kauma¯tua, kuia and others with underlying health issues.

The centre is set to take up to 300 people a day, but Kemp says that for now they are trialling 50 vaccines a day and will take it up a notch in the days to come.

Both Mclean and Kemp were surprised at how fast the process was.

“I didn’t feel anything,” Kemp said.