Ngāti Rangatahi o Te Tauihu
Ngāti Rangatahi o Te Tauihu are hoping events this weekend will help push vaccination rates for Māori youth in the rohe closer to the critical 90%.
Ngāti Rangatahi o Te Tauihu came together at the end of October to drive a ‘for rangatahi, by rangatahi’-styled campaign, an offshoot of the national Karawhiua promotion. They are supported by Māori primary health provider Te Piki Oranga, Te Kotahi o Te Tauihu Trust and Nelson Marlborough Health.
Group lead Grayson Nepia said rangatahi and their whānau were encouraged to come along to events in Wairau and Whakatū this weekend to get their ‘2 shots 4 Raumati (summer)’.
“Our first events I think we did really well, but we are hoping this final push before Christmas will help ensure as many people as possible are protected before summer properly kicks in. We’ll have free barber cuts, spot prizes and other giveaways, an ice cream truck, and we’ve also organised health professionals to be on hand in case rangatahi just want more information.”
As of Monday, December 13, 83% of Māori aged under 24 in Te Tauihu had received their first dose and 71% were fully vaccinated.
That is in stark contrast to the end October when Ngāti Rangatahi first came together – at that time first dose vaccination rates for rangatahi Māori were at 32%.
Other initiatives in the rohe have also helped provide a much-needed boost. Te Piki Oranga’s ‘Wero ora, Haka ora’ campaign in conjunction with local kapa haka rōpū has provided a bright spot and Kai and Kōrero events at local colleges gave rangatahi a place to ask questions and find out more about the Pfizer vaccine.
“The efforts of all involved have been so critical and are so appreciated,” says Dr Lorraine Eade, Pouwhakahaere Rauemi (Operations Manager) at Te Kotahi o Te Tauihu Trust.
“We are really proud of the way our rangatahi have taken control of this kaupapa and we think they’ve been instrumental in reaching rangatahi on platforms like Tiktok where us older ones are not so active. Empowering our youth, rather than telling them what to do, has been positive on so many levels and we will look to see how we can continue to ensure this valuable rangatahi voice can remain at the top table.”
All those who receive either their first or second dose at the events this weekend will go into the draw to win an iPhoneMAX PRO.
The clinics will be held SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18,
WAIRAU: 48 Market St, Blenheim (opposite Paper Plus) from 10am-1.30pm and
WHAKATŪ: Greenmeadows Community Centre, 491 Main Road Stoke, from 11am to 3.30pm.