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February 25, 2022
Media Release: Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei do not support protest actions against vaccination and mandates
Waatea Team
Posted On February 25, 2022
MEDIA STATEMENT
25 February, 2022
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei do not support protest actions against vaccination and mandates
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, the tangata whenua and ahi kā of central Auckland urge groups planning further protest action against vaccination and mandates across Tāmaki Makaurau this weekend to stay home.
Marama Royal, Chair, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust encourages all those who genuinely care for our communities, to do all they can to prevent the further spread of Covid 19. She said “While we understand very deeply that protest action is sometimes necessary, we do not believe this is the time or place for activity that will only increase the risk of spreading infection and misinformation”.
We are incredibly proud of the amazing mahi being conducted by our kaimahi across our health services to protect our whānau and many others in the communities we share, from the mate urutā that is Covid-19, through vaccination, education and other support.
At this very moment, Omicron has infected several of our whānau homes. There are now very few among our people who do not have whānau who are infected and are isolating, or who have recovered from the impacts of the virus. We know this will only get worse in the days and weeks ahead.
We will never shy away from our responsibilities to do all we can to support and protect our people. Since Covid-19’s arrival, we have been active in reaching out via the telephone and zoom to talk with our whānau to ensure they are safe and are also able to make informed decisions around vaccination and actions to help avoid the virus. We have delivered kai and health packs, and for our whānau isolating at home, we have implemented a range of supports designed to ease their suffering and fears through a challenging time.
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei understands the place protest has to amplify the voices and desires of those who have been ignored by the state. We remember with deep sadness the sacrifices and fortitude of our people supported by others, and who for 506 days defied the unjust intentions of the then government towards our ancestral lands at Takaparawhau.
We do not support protest actions against vaccination and mandates. These actions are in direct opposition to the pathway we have chosen as leaders of our people, and the way forward that we have encouraged our Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei people to follow.
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