Tēnā tātou katoa ki ngā whānau whānui o Wakatū
We have now been over three weeks at Level 4 COVID-19 restrictions, and although there are many changes we have had to make, it has also been an opportunity to support each other, as whānau, hapū, iwi and community.
While these last weeks have created enormous stress for many, I’m proud of the way that we have continued to support each other, and have found ways to adapt and innovate.
The virtual karakia sessions that take place by Zoom every Monday at 7pm is an example of one way that we are able to use technology to stay connected to each other and our traditions. If you want to join, use this Zoom link and the Meeting ID: 342520144.
I want to acknowledge our many whānau who are essential workers, and those who are out there supporting their whānau, hapū, iwi and community as volunteers in various ways around the country.
I’ve seen and heard many wonderful examples of the difference that you are making, in big and small ways – thank you all.
For our part, we have been working with our hapū and iwi entities in Te Tauihu, with an emphasis on checking in with our whānau, and connecting them to the most appropriate support services for their needs.
If you haven’t already connected with your hapū and iwi entity, I encourage you to do so.
As I let you know in my last pānui, one of our first responses was to identify kaumātua in Te Tauihu who might need some additional support. We made phone contact with them, and provided them with a Manaaki pack with an emphasis on essential supplies, including cleaning products.
Through the generosity of Ngāti Tama ki Te Waipounamu Trust, we had a limited number of kai packs to distribute to whānau around Te Tauihu – we worked with the Police Māori liaison team to get these safely delivered to those most in need.
This week, we continued with Project Kōrero – our project to connect by phone with all our registered shareholders, wherever they live.Our Owners Liaison and Manaaki teams started with those living in Te Tauihu – checking in and connecting them with other whānau or the appropriate support services.
The Manaaki packs waiting delivery to kaumātua.
If you are an Owner of Wakatū and you live in Te Tauihu, and you haven’t heard from one of the team yet, please email info@wakatu.org or call 03 546 8648 – as the team are finding that some phone numbers and contact details are out of date.
Over the coming weeks we will be expanding Project Kōrero to the rest of the motu – again to connect with you, we’ll need your up-to-date contact details.
Across our entities we have been having ongoing discussions about how we can continue support our most vulnerable whānau, and next week we plan to launch a quick response grant – we’ll be following up with details about how to apply soon.
In our community, we have donated apples from our orchards to be included in kai packs, and our Annies team have joined other well-known New Zealand brands to create ‘Thinking of you’ care packs to be donated to front-line healthcare workers.
Left: Apples from Kono Horticulture orchards packed into individual bags to be distributed to kaumātua and whānau throughout the Marlborough community
Right: Healthcare frontline staff receiving their ‘Thinking of you’ care packs
Across Wakatū and our businesses, we are hard at work as an essential business. We are in a very privileged position to be able to produce food and it is a responsibility we take very seriously. A huge amount of work has been done over the past three weeks to ensure we can operate safely in the new Covid-19 environment. We have complex operations across orchards, vineyards, on water and in factories. As well as these operations, our people are also operating from home to ensure work can continue.
Top left: Annalise Paynter, HR Advisor in her home office.
Top right:Adela Steopan. Usually our Trade Marketing Executive based in Nelson, Adela relocated to Whenua Awa for the duration of harvest to be Winery/Vineyard Covid-19 Coordinator.
Bottom left:: Karen O’Brien, Foods General Manager wearing one of new masks as part of PPE now in use at the seafood processing factory
Bottom right: harvest at Whenua Matua
We’ve also taken steps as an organisation to ensure that those who are unable to work due to their own or their whānau vulnerability are also supported through this time.
I’d like to acknowledge and thank all of our employees across Wakatū Group. Because of everyone’s hard work, we are in a strong position to continue to operate at the current alert level, and adapt to any changes over the coming weeks and months.
The government is expected to announce on Monday 20 April when the current level 4 COVID response will move to level 3. Yesterday the Prime Minister Jacinda Arden outlined what the differences will be at level 3. She made it clear that even at level 3 we will still have significant restrictions on our day-to-day lives.
The risk of COVID-19 will have diminished, but not gone away so we must continue to make sure that our most vulnerable are protected and supported. We’ll be back in contact next week after the government announcement to let you know what implications the announcement will have on our whānau and our organisation.
As we move into another week at Alert Level 4, please remember to stay safe, look after each other, and most importantly stick to the rules which are saving lives. We are so fortunate to live in communities where we care about each other, and where there are opportunities to connect with one another and offer support.
Noho ora mai i runga i te aroha, te rangimārie me te pai.
Paul
Paul Morgan
Chair, Wakatū Board
If you live in Te Tauihu and you need urgent assistance, please connect the emergency response teams that have been set up.
They are there to help you with issues relating to food, and access to medical or other support.
Call 0800 50 50 75 and press 1 for Nelson and 2 for Tasman.
If you are in the Wairau, call 03 520 7400. If you are in Kawatiri, call 03 900 9329.
Other Te Waipounamu numbers are:
Canterbury 0800 24 24 11
West Coast 03 900 9329
Otago 0800 322 4000
Southland 0800 890127
Chatham Islands 03 3050033 ex 715
For other regions, check in with your iwi office and this website brings together many useful websites and resources to help our whānau during this crisis