The Government has approved $46.75 million and signed 26 contracts to rapidly accelerate Māori Covid-19 vaccinations across Aotearoa and support the efforts of DHBs to reach the 90 per cent double vaccinated target.

Minister for Māori Development, Willie Jackson, says the fact that Māori have now surpassed 77 per cent vaccination for one dose, and 61 per cent for two doses was very encouraging.

'Covid is out there whānau and moving fast we need to get this mahi done, we are continuing to work at pace to vaccinate every sector of society because no one is safe from Covid until we all are,” he says.

Progress is being made and in the past month, Māori in Waikato (80%), Taranaki (76%) and Lakes (74%) have got their second dose.

Te Puni Kōkiri, Te Arawhiti and Ministry of Health have a further $13.25 million left, of the $60 million Māori Communities Covid-19 Fund for Phase One, with dozens of contracts still to be worked through. Phase Two funding (another $60 million) will be used to support Māori to protect their communities against Covid.

Minister for Māori Crown Relations, Te Arawhiti Minister Kelvin Davis says it was great to see the wide range of innovative ideas and initiatives that iwi, Māori providers and organisations were delivering.

'We are seeing everything from Tik Tok, kapa haka and music, being used to reach rangatahi and our kaimahi are doing the hard yards and door knocking to drum up vaccinations and answer those important questions whānau have,” says Davis.

Contracts with providers cover the following regions: Te Pou Matakana (North Island) (1) and Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu (South Island) (1), Te Tai Tokerau (11), Tamaki Makarau (5), Waikato-Waiariki (3), Ikaroa-Rāwhiti (2), Te Tai Hauāuru (1) and Te Waipounamu (2).

Associate Minister of Health, Minita mo Whānau Ora, Peeni Henare says funding had extended existing arrangements with Te Pou Matakana ($5 million) and Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu ($887 thousand) through 136 whānau ora providers across the South and North Islands.

'Te Pou Matakana has vaccinated over half a million Māori and non-Māori and its 80 providers expect to vaccinate up to 20,000 Māori before Christmas.

Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu will build on its Manaaki 20 campaigns and encourage vaccination in six low vaccination areas in the South Island.

'While the South Island has a relatively good vaccination rate, there is still another 20,000 or more doses to provide, before they reach the 90 per cent target,” Henare says.