January 28, 2022
Marae false vax story ignores evidence chain says Tamihere
The chief executive of the North Island Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency, John Tamihere, says a story alleging false vaccinations at Manurewa Marae was shoddy journalism.
NewsHub’s Michael Morrah reported the marae is holding an internal investigation into rumours staff had given a person the paperwork saying they were vaccinated, without administering the dose.
He then discussed the connections between people on the marae and Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki, who has been preaching against vaccination mandates.
Mr Tamihere says when he discussed the allegation with Mr Morrah, it was clear the reporter had no idea how the vaccination chain of custody works.
“The allegation made against Manurewa Marae is an allegation without substance. Mr Morrah had no day, no time, no individudal. A loose allegation was made against Manurewa Marae. He then joined members of the Destiny Church, who do work on that marae, and joined the dots to say it was a conspiracy. This is just low life reporting,” he says.
John Tamihere says Manurewa Marae was one of the best deliverers of the Covid vaccine in Tāmaki Makaurau, and there was no reason to bring it into disrepute.