‘COVID-19 (Coronavirus)’ - Taking care of yourself and your whānau’

E ngā mema, ngā whānau, me ngā kaitautoko o Kāpō Māori Aotearoa, tēnā koutou

As you are hearing on the radio and television, Aotearoa and countries throughout the world are coping with this new virus called ‘COVID-19’.  Our Government has taken strong measures to try and slow down the spread of COVID-19 this including giving guidelines on how to keep ourselves and our whānau well and safe.  Our Iwi and hāpu are also rising to the challenge offering alternative tikanga to our traditional practice of hongi and advising our marae.  This panui is to inform you about what KMA have put into place to ensure the health and wellbeing of our members, whānau, supporters and staff.  Of importance to us is to ensure our KMA whānau know about the temporary changes we have put into place in delivering our services, have access to information about COVID-19, what supports are available and how to reach out to these services.

Kāpō Māori Aotearoa services:  As from 18 March 2020 we have postponed face to face visits, rōpu hui and events. Over the next two weeks Lisa, Kiri or Delayne will be in touch to discuss options with our members waiting to have vision assessments.  They as well as, Hannah and Tarewa will also be doing a phone around to all our members we can contact via phone to have a korero. 

Where to get information:  Whānau who are KMA Facebook followers and or can access our website will see we have loaded information about COVID-19, who to contact as well as YouTube videos, news clips from iwi and Māori artists demonstrating alternatives to our traditional practice of hongi e.g. ‘Te Hāmamao!’   We will also send text and email updates.  We are working in partnership with Blind Low Vision New Zealand (BLVNZ) to spread the word and have loaded a message from John Mulka, Chief Executive as well as a link to their website.  This panui and our contact details will also be published on the BLVNZ Facebook and website.

Keeping in touch:  Our KMA kaimahi are here to help so if you are unsure or want to korero you can either:  

• Drop a post on our Facebook (if you are not already a KMA Facebook follower you will need to ‘join’); and or
• Email us at [email protected]; and or
• Phone our Freephone – Ph. 0800770990.

I close my mihi with the following two whakatauki Māori, may they give us strength during this time of uncertainty:

Ki te kotahi te kakaho ka whati, ki te kapuia e kore e whati:

(Alone we can be broken. Standing together, we are invincible).

Kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawa nui:

(Be strong, be brave, be steadfast)

Tihei Mauri Ora

Chrissie Cowan

Kāpō Māori Aotearoa Chief Executive