Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern tik tok’d her way through Wairoa on Friday afternoon as part of a roll up your sleeves and get vaccinated campaign.

The Prime Minister’s regional road trip was aimed at encouraging vaccination, dispelling myths and keeping the New Zealand team of five million as safe as possible.

She said her decision to travel around rural New Zealand came after seeing recent stats that showed areas like Wairoa had slowed down in their vaccination rates.

Ministers Meka Whaitiri and Kiri Allan were part of the visit which focussed on rangatahi and whānau.

A question-and-answer ‘ask your aunties’ session between the panel, comprising Wairoa College head students and a youth representative, and the ‘aunties’, featuring the Prime Minister and the two ministers was a great way of explaining the benefits of vaccination and how a double dose can lessen your likelihood of getting COVID-19, lessen the severity of any illness and complications and lessen your chances of spreading the virus.

The afternoon included rangatahi receiving their vaccination, free giveaways and prize draws.

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said the event had to be limited to 100 people because of Level 2 restrictions, but it was still a great way to share the vaccination message.

Mr Little praised the Prime Minister for not overlooking the smaller communities like Wairoa as part of the vaccine roll out. He commended the government for its exemplary handling of the COVID outbreak and also described the devastating impact the Delta variant could have if it gets to Wairoa.

“We have many vulnerable members of our whānau and limited health resources to support them. Our nearest ICU is two hours away and we have no ventilators, so it is important to keep our whānau safe.”

The finale to the afternoon was a group tik tok session involving Ms Ardern and her ministers and encouraging Wairoa whānau to get vaccinated.

12 October 2021

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