March 25, 2020
Service delivery in lockdown evolving
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Whānau Ora Minister Peeni Henare says he’s talking with the whānau ora commissioning agencies and others about what they can do to continue supporting vulnerable Māori through the lockdown.
The country went to a level four alert for the Covid-19 virus at midnight, meaning people must remain isolated in their homes for a month apart from grocery shopping.
Whānau ora was not on the list of essential services that can continue working, but Mr Henare says elements of the programme will continue.
When he announced extra spending for hauora Māori and whānau ora last Sunday, he flagged how part of the reason for the funding was to counter the systemic inequities known to exist in the health system.
"I know of some of the iwi groups and marae groups that are working with Te Puni Kōkiri to support them in their efforts. I also know down in Hawke's Bay the DHB and iwi have come together to make sure they are able to serve all of the people in Hawke's Bay and Te Tairāwhiti so there's lots going on in this space. It is going to constantly change and evolve and we have to be vigilant and agile," he says.
Peeni Henare
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