15,000 COVID-19 vaccinations given by Ngā Kete Mātauranga Pounamu

Invercargill-based hauora provider Ngā Kete Mātauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust was among the many providers that had to quickly adapt and respond to COVID-19 when it first turned up.

Their kaimahi opened a COVID-19 testing station, followed by vaccination clinics held across Murihiku in Ohai, Colac Bay, Riverton, Lumsden, Nightcaps and Waihōpai . Recently, they celebrated giving 15,000 vaccinations to southern whānau.

To respond to COVID-19, the trust reduced its face-to-face GP consultations by 80 per cent and replaced them with phone appointments so whānau could isolate safely. Wellbeing checks were conducted over the phone daily and prescriptions were delivered to whānau so they didn’t have to leave the whare.

Their Pātaka Oranga Food Bank staff have been incredibly busy over the past two years. During the lockdown periods, kaimahi prepared around 30 kai parcels a day and delivered them as far as Te Anau.

In February, the trust launched their new COVID-19 Community Connection Service to support individuals and whānau to self-isolate safely. So far, it has delivered around 530 COVID-19 care packages. The packages include masks, gloves, electrolytes, tissues, hand sanitiser, RAT tests, throat lozenges, ibuprofen and vitamin C.

The COVID-19 Community Connectors also help whānau build isolation plans and connect whānau with other services, including financial support.

Self-referrals are welcome from whānau who have been directed to self-isolate because of COVID-19 or are a household contact. If you don't meet those criteria but you are concerned about your hauora, that's okay too. Just give them a call.

You can contact Ngā Kete Mātauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust on 0800 925 242. For more information on their amazing mahi, see their website.