Waitara aunties take a stand against COVID-19

The aunties of the Waitara Māori Women’s Welfare League (MWWL) are leading the charge against COVID-19 in defence of their kaumatua, their whānau, their hapu, and the wider community.
Together with the Taranaki DHB and Ngāti Rāhiri Hapu, the members of the MWWL in Waitara are holding COVID-19 vaccination clinics at 38 Queen Street, Waitara (next to New World supermarket) for the next four weeks.
Dates and times are:
Wednesday 6 October, Thursday 7 October
Wednesday 13 October, Thursday 14 October
Wednesday 20 October, Thursday 21 October
Wednesday 27 October, Thursday 28 October

at 9am - 3.30pm

Wiki Michalanney, Secretary of the Waitara MWWL, said: “If we want to keep our whānau and our community safe, people need to be vaccinated.
“Us wahine wanted to help and reached out to the Taranaki DHB so we could hold a clinic for the whole community. We are welcoming everyone because it is only by coming together we are going to beat this thing.”

Cups of tea and coffee will be available, and Wiki promises some edible treats too.

Bevan Clayton-Smith, Taranaki COVID-19 Vaccination programme senior responsible officer, said “Vaccination is our frontline defence against COVID-19 and people need to step up and get immunised.

“The virus is knocking on Taranaki’s door and individuals need to be aware of the risk they are putting our family, our friends and whole way of life under by not being vaccinated.

“As a programme we were very pleased to be able to help the Waitara aunties bring this clinic to their community.”

Bookings for the clinics can be made on BookMyVaccine, or call 0800 28 29 26 (8am-8pm, 7 days). Walk-in’s on the day are also welcome.