COVID-19 updates 14 May 2020

COVID-19 update


​For two days straight there have been no COVID-19 cases to report with 1,402 of the 1,497 now all recovered, this includes all 28 cases in Northland. It is heartening as we move into Alert Level 2 from midnight tonight. There are 2 people in the hospital with COVID-19, none are in ICU.

Coronavirus COVID-19 Public Dashboard for New Zealand
Ministry of Health website link: Ministry of Health website
Unite Against COVID-19 | New Zealand Government

Te Kahu O Taonui Signal Disappointment In Handling Of Tangihanga Policy

Wednesday, 13 May 2020, 4:14 pm
Press Release: Te Kahu o Taonui

The Government is making a major statement this election year by their continued stance to restrict numbers of grieving families attending tangihanga, as the country sets to move into Alert Level 2 at midnight tonight, says Chair of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua, Dame Naida Glavish.

Since official Ministry of Health guidelines were released on 30 March, the government has been harsh in its approach in prohibiting whānau attending tangihanga. Ngāti Kahu Chair Dr Margaret Mutu identified the approach the government has taken to tangihanga as “cold and callous and not without reproach”.

Click here to read the full Media release

MANAAKITANGA COLLABORATION RAMPS UP IN ALERT LEVEL TWO

MEDIA STATEMENT
COVID-19
Wednesday, 13 May 2020

The next two weeks will see Ngātiwai Trust Board, Te Manawaroa o Ngāti Hine and Te Takiwā o Ngāpuhi ki Whangārei collaborating again to deliver 400 individual kai packs and bulk food parcels to 19 marae across Whangārei and surrounding areas.

The impacts of COVID-19 is proving that many kaumātua and whānau still need support despite the country moving to Alert Level Two.  As iwi of Whangārei the collaborative approach means placing the health and wellbeing of people at the forefront of working together, and, the approach has proven to be a success.
Click here to read the full Media release

Rushed in two days – New law gives power to Police to enter our homes with no warrant

A controversial new coronavirus law has been hastily passed, despite coming under fire for allowing police to search homes without a warrant.

Despite widespread concern, the Government rushed through the powerful legislation for Alert Level 2, but legal experts say the new enforcement law is better for the public than the extreme emergency powers used under lockdown.

Click here to read Stuff Story

Immediate support to small businesses and organisations – Small Business Cash flow loan

The COVID-19 Small Business Cash Flow Loan (SBCS) is now available for small businesses.

The Loan supports businesses and organisations struggling because of loss of actual or predicted revenue as a result of COVID-19. They must have 50 or fewer full-time-equivalent employees. Inland Revenue will administer the payments and repayments of this scheme. Applications will run until 12 June 2020. The one-off loan has a maximum of $10,000 plus $1,800 per full-time employee. The annual interest rate will be 3% beginning from the date of the loan. 
Click here to read more

Community Resilience Fund

Kia hiwa ra, Kia hiwa ra! Sport NZ has announced today an extra $25m available to the Play, Active Recreation and Sport sector. The key feature of the relief package is the $15 million Community Resilience Fund to help struggling local and regional sport and recreation organisations. This Fund will be administered and distributed by New Zealand’s 14 Regional Sports Trusts, and are open now. Check out their website to find out if your club or regional body may be eligible for support.

50 people now allowed at Tangihanga 

After immense pressure from Māoridom and the New Zealand public, the government has back-tracked on their stance to restrict tangihanga to 10 people. The third and final reading of the COVID-19 Public Health Response Bill was urgently rushed through Parliament on the evening of Wednesday 12 May, of which National Party MP, Hon. Alfred Ngaro made a direct attack on the Bill, asking the Māori caucus, ‘Are you rolling over on your bellies to get tickled?’ The changes to the Bill were announced by Minister for Health, Dr David Clark, and state that funeral directors can obtain dispensation to allow up to 50 people to attend a funeral, as long as the Ministry of Health is satisfied that a range of measures can consistently be met.

​Read more here: Up to 50 to be allowed at funerals – if strict public health measures are in place

Government tweaks Covid-19 level 2 law after marae controversy

Minister of Crown/Māori Relations – Te Arawhiti Kelvin Davis said references to Police being able to enter Marae without a warrant would be removed from the COVID-19 Public Health Response Bill after considerable pressure. The Minister dubiously announced in Parliament today that the government has now listened to  Māoridom and has removed the specific reference to Marae,  however he has sent a stern warning, that Māoridom should be careful what they wish for. Watch his warning here.  

No more Cheque books

The life of the lonesome cheque is set to become a relic of the past with BNZ, ANZ and Westpac following the print of Kiwibank and phasing out their use. Cheques have been the main use of kaumatua and reflects a message that technology is now important for banking going forward.

​More reading here: BNZ, ANZ, Westpac to phase out cheque use.

0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop
    Scroll to Top