Kia ora e te whānau whānui o Wakatū
We know that this is a worrying time for our whānau as we work together to slow the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in our community.
Especially in light of the Prime Minister’s announcement today that we are moving to COVID-19 Level 4 in the next two days, it is important that we continue to keep the wellbeing of everyone, in particular our kaumātua and kuia, and keep manaakitanga, taking care and supporting one other, top of mind, even if we have to find new ways of doing this.
We need to take this situation seriously, and follow the government’s directives.
We are all part of a strong and resilient whānau.
Our focus across Wakatū has been
Being proactive and positive – and looking after each other.
Keeping our whānau as safe, healthy and as well as we can.
Keeping everyone who works for us as safe, healthy and as well as we can.
Keeping our essential businesses, the production of food, running as normally as we can in these extraordinary times.
This is a rapidly changing situation, which is changing daily. I am providing this update as I wanted to let you know the actions we have taken so far. There is a lot of information in this update but in summary, we have been proactive in taking steps to keep our whānau, kaimahi and community safe
FOR OUR WHĀNAU WE HAVE:
Cancelled our special general meeting, which was to have been held on Saturday 28 March
We announced last week that we will not be holding our usual special general meeting (SGM) at Te Papa in Wellington.
We had been planning to live-stream an update this coming Saturday, however as the country will be at Level 4, with everyone instructed to stay at home, this livestream is no longer possible.
For reporting on our last financial year, please refer to our annual report, and if you have any questions related to the report, please email hono@wakatu.org.
Cancelled or postponed all other wānanga and hui until further notice
We will not be running any wānanga or hui until further notice. This means that we will not be opening our application processes at our usual times. We’ll keep you up to date as this situation changes.
Restricted access to all our buildings and sites
As part of efforts to keep everyone safe, last week we closed access to all our buildings and sites until further notice. This includes Wakatū House. Our food and beverages businesses, which are essential businesses, continue to operate.
All whānau enquiries including whakapapa, shareholding, succession and Māori Land Court queries and other queries for Celia Hippolite-Hawea, our Pou Whakahaere Whakapapa and the Owners’ Liaison team should be made by email to celia@wakatu.org or by phone on +64 3 539 0811.
All whānau appointments in person are cancelled until further notice.
Suspended camping at Mārahau and staying at Haumoana
Until further notice, there will be no camping at Mārahau or staying at Haumoana.
All pre-existing bookings or permits are cancelled.
OUR BUSINESSES
We are an essential business – because we are producing and manufacturing food. In the coming weeks and months, our country and customers around the world will need the food that we produce. We are following the government guidelines for operational workplaces like our factories and orchards and taking strong action to ensure that our operational teams across our businesses are safe, healthy and well.
Information about Covid-19
Symptoms of COVID-19 (coronavirus) include a cough, fever and shortness of breath.
People who have symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath should stay at home and seek medical advice from the dedicated coronavirus Healthline on 0800 358 5453.
People should also call Healthline if they have come into contact with someone who has, or who may have, coronavirus. They should stay at home and phone for advice. Please do not go directly to a pharmacy, GP clinic, urgent care centre or emergency department.
There are now community-based assessment centres around the country. These facilities are not walk-in facilities but have been put in place to ensure every community has access to testing, and to take to take the oad off general practices and emergency departments – so if you think you or one of your whānau has the symptoms of coronavirus, phone the coronavirus Healthline on 0800 358 5453.
The Healthline advisor or GP will ask questions to determine their advice and the Healthline advisor or your GP will confirm if someone requires assessment and testing for coronavirus at a community based assessment centre.
Your local district health board will have up to date information for your community – a list of all the district health boards is here.
For our whānau living in Te Tau Ihu, information for the community based assessment centres is here.
If you have health issues that aren’t related to coronavirus, the Healthline’s main number is still the one to call for non-coronavirus health concerns – 0800 611 116.
We all must do everything we possibly can to make it
hard for the virus to spread across our community.
Everyone has a part of play to slow the spread.
1. Hygiene is essential
Cough or sneeze into your elbow or by covering your mouth and nose with tissues
Put used tissues in the bin or a bag immediately
Wash your hands with soap and water often (for at least 20 seconds)
Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
Avoid non-essential personal contact. Avoid sharing cups or food with other people
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs
People living in communal spaces must be especially careful with distancing, cleaning and general hygiene.
2. Physical distancing is essential
Try to put physical distance (two metres) between yourself and other people in public places such as supermarkets
Be kind to others: Make it easy for them to keep 2m from you – eg, keep a 2m space in front of you in a supermarket queue, and stay 2m back from counters and reception desks
3. Staying at home if you are unwell is essential
Do not go into any public places if you are feeling unwell and minimise close contact even in your home – ring ahead if you need a service.
Looking after our most vulnerable
We need to work together to ensure that the most vulnerable in our community are supported. Please take the next 48 hours to call your kaumātua and see what support you can provide them – cooking and dropping off meals, picking up and dropping off prescriptions, and keeping in regular phone contact with them are some ideas.
Please keep in mind that they are being asked to stay at home to reduce their risk of getting sick, so this will mean keeping your physical distance from them, making sure you are following the correct hygiene procedures, and definitely not visiting if you yourself are unwell.
Look after your whānau and yourself
While physical contact is being limited to contain the spread of coronavirus, there are still lots of ways we can connect – especially by phone, email and social media. Check in regularly with whānau, friends and neighbours.
For support with anxiety, distress or mental wellbeing, you can call or text 1737 to talk with a trained counsellor for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you are unable to work or have lost your job because of COVID-19, visit workandincome.govt.nz
Makes sure you get accurate information about COVID-19
These places are where you can get accurate and up to date information and resources
covid19.govt.nz
www.facebook.com/UniteAgainstCovid19/
www.facebook.com/minhealthnz
New Zealand Ministry of Health COVID-19
These are challenging times for all of us, but working together we will stay strong as a whānau and as a community.
As one of our whānau shared with us this week:
“…We firmly believe that as a people, and a community, when there is compassion, kindness and care we can get through any disaster or challenge, Wishing you all safety, protection and peace…”
Arohanui ki a koutou katoa, ngā whānau o Wakatū
Paul Morgan
Chair, Wakatū Incorporation