October 26, 2021
Ngātiwai calls for level 3 as Covid threatens Taitokerau
Northland iwi Ngātiwai is calling for Taitokerau to move back to level 3 to deal with the leak of Covid cases over the Auckland border.
Chair Aperahama Edwards says the region has many isolated and vulnerable communities with low vaccination rates.
He says with no restrictions on travel within the region over the long weekend, he’s concerned the number of cases will only increase.
Iwi are unhappy with the response they’re getting from officials.
“The thinking at the moment that has been relayed back to us is a feeling on the part of the government that the situation is being managed and it is being contained. We have no MIQ facilities here These are whānau Māori that have contracted Covid. They have come out and shared with the community their story and it has been of significant help, but we are asking where is the support for the north,” Mr Edwards says.
Ngātiwai has told its people to live as if they were at level 3.
There are 79 new community cases of COVID-19 today, 75 in Auckland and four in the Te Awamutu/ Kihikihi area linked to earlier cases.
There were no new confirmed cases in Northland, where the total remains at seven.
People living in Northland are urged to remain vigilant and get tested if they have any symptoms that could be Covid-19.