As the horticultural industry welcomes the Government’s move towards a one-way corridor for seasonal workers from Tonga, Samoa and Vanuatu, New Zealand also enters a critical time in our vaccination rollout and uptake.
This quarantine-free travel opens up for significantly more seasonal workers this coming season and work is now underway to have it ready to go by the end of September.
Your industry has shown enormous resilience and thank you for the extraordinary effort you’ve made to get through one of the most extremely challenging seasons ever experience.
All the time, Hawke’s Bay growers have demonstrated you are leaders in the field when it comes to building strong and productive working relationships with Government and it’s important to acknowledge the very integral role the region has played towards this significant and ongoing progress.
Getting vaccinated is the number one thing everyone can do to be protected against COVID-19, help accelerate our economic recovery, reduce the risk of lockdowns, and safely allow New Zealand’s borders to begin re-opening next year.
The Government has a plan to speed up the vaccine rollout and ensure more of us are protected from Delta.
We will move to a six week period between doses, meaning more people can get their first dose quicker and ensuring everyone is at least partially vaccinated in the coming months to reduce the risk and impact of a Delta outbreak.
We are bringing forward the eligibility dates for the remaining groups to be vaccinated. As already announced 50 plus will be open from Friday 13th August. Now, 40 plus will be open on Wednesday 18th August, 30 plus will be open on Wednesday 25th August, and from 1st September we will be open for all eligible ages.
We need the support of everyone to get New Zealand vaccinated. Please encourage your family, friends, workmates, sports teams, and congregations to get vaccinated as soon as they are able.
Once everyone in New Zealand has had the opportunity to be vaccinated, and we are confident we have vaccine coverage across key populations and good regional spread, we will be able to start a phased approach to the reopening of the border.
We will move to new individual risk based border settings that will establish low, medium, and high risk pathways into the country from 2022. For more information go to: covid19.govt.nz/reconnecting-new-zealand-to-the-world/
Locally, the horticulture industry is one of our largest employers with the ability to connect with a wide range of communities across our region. It’s been fantastic to hear directly from those of you who are actively supporting the vaccination rollout as we work together to protect and keep growing Hawke’s Bay.
Kia kaha
Anna Lorck
MP for Tukituki
Anna.lorck@parliament.govt.nz
Vaccination clinics are opening up across Hawke’s Bay – you can simply call 0800 28 29 26 and go to where you choose. It’s also important to know that if you do receive more than one invitation it is your choice where you would like to book.
To book an appointment call: 0800 28 29 26 or to book online visit bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz
Hawke’s Bay DHB Super Clinics:
• Hastings Racecourse (300 Prospect Road, Saddles/Hobbles Room under the Lowery Stand)
• The Taradale Club (55 Wharerangi Road, Taradale)
• Waipawa Rugby Clubrooms (Coronation Park, Tikokino Road, Waipawa)
General Practices and Pharmacy:
• Hastings Health Centre
• Totara Health
• The Doctors Napier
• Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga
• Taradale Medical Centre
• Te Mata Peak Practice
• Unichem Jeff Whittakers Pharmacy
• Unichem Stortford Lodge
• Ahuriri Pharmacy
(More General Practices and Pharmacies will start vaccinating soon)
Upcoming pop-up clinics include:
Camberley Community Centre– 16 August and 6 September 9am – 4pm. For bookings please call 06 871 0524
Flaxmere Cook Island Hall– 10 & 18 August, 1 September and 26 October 10am – 7pm. For bookings text your name and number to 027 209 5064.
Pukemokimoki Marae– 9 – 12 August, 6 – 9 September 10am – 7pm. For bookings please call 0800 2 ROOPU. 0800 276678
Rongomaraeroa Marae (Porangahau)– 28 August and 18-19 September 9am – 4pm. For bookings please call 06 855 5332
Takapau Town Hall– 20 – 21 August and 1 -2 October 9am – 4pm. For bookings please call 06 855 8376
Tangoio Marae– 14 August and 11 September 9am – 4pm. For bookings please call 0800 4 AHURIRI (0800 424 87474)
Kings House Church Maraenui– 25 August, 3 September and 28 October 9am – 4pm. For bookings text your name and number to 027 209 5064.
Waiohiki Marae– 4 & 25 September 9am – 4pm. For bookings please call 0800 4 AHURIRI (0800 424 87474)
Kohupatiki Marae– 18 September and 9 October 9am – 4pm. For bookings please call 0800 4 AHURIRI (0800 424 87474)
Moteo Marae– Saturday 28 August 9am – 4pm. For bookings please call 0800 4 AHURIRI (0800 424 87474)
