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Download AudioThe Minister for Pacific Peoples says rednecks should stop playing the blame game with the Auckland delta covid outbreak.
The biggest sub-cluster has been linked to an event at the Assembly of God Church in Māngere on August 15 – two days before a Devonport man was confirmed to have the virus and the country was locked down.
Aupito William Sio, who is also the Māngere MP, says he’s concerned about a social media pile-on directed at the church.
"So all the racist rednecks out there who are pointing the finger at Pacific and Māori, pull your heads in. This virus doesn't care what colour skin you have. As we always knew, our Māori and Pasifika are the most vulnerable, multiple co-morbidities, but they are also the ones doing front line work. They are the ones laying their bodies on the line during these lockdown levels to keep the rest of us safe," he says.
Minister Sio says the Ministry was right to identify the church and the Samoan community because in mass gatherings often people don’t use the tracer app, so it’s a reminder they can call the Healthline 0800 21 12 21 to get advice on testing and isolation.
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