Kaylea Bradshaw owner-operator of New World Onekawa heard about the shortfall and took up the challenge to source all the supplies to last Chatham's stores for 8-10 weeks. Photo / Supplied
Kaylea Bradshaw owner-operator of New World Onekawa heard about the shortfall and took up the challenge to source all the supplies to last Chatham's stores for 8-10 weeks. Photo / Supplied
Foodstuffs brands New World, Gilmours and Pak'nSave, and the wider Napier community have come together to ensure families on the Chatham Islands have a good supply of groceries during Government Alert Level 4.
Grocery supplies for the island are regularly picked up at Napier and Timaru Ports, travelling to the Chathams by ship so the two small supermarkets there can carry enough stock to last a month to six weeks.
When the Government announced moving to Alert Level 4, Chatham businesses realised that, due to their remote location, they would need to be more prepared with vital food supplies than most other communities in New Zealand.
For Napier Port although it is a service they provide often for the Chatham Islands it is even more essential now than ever. Photo / File
Kaylea Bradshaw, owner-operator of New World Onekawa, who regularly provides a small amount of supplies to Chatham businesses, heard about the shortfall and took up the challenge to source all the supplies to last Chatham's stores for eight to 10 weeks.
Bradshaw connected in with other local Foodstuffs owner operators from Gilmours and Pak'nSave, as well as the Foodstuffs Distribution Centre in Palmerston North.
Rallying the wider community, she also approached local businesses who had closed due to the Government Alert Level 4 to supply stock they could no longer use.
"We're all in this together and this includes our most remote communities like the Chatham Islands," she said.
"Even though we're 800km away, Napier is one of the closest communities by distance to The Chathams and as well as serving the Onekawa community, a top priority for me, our team worked into the night to make sure our fellow Kiwis in the Chatham Islands could have access to the essentials they need during Government Alert Level 4 as well."
For Napier Port, although it is a service they provide often for the Chatham Islands, it is even more essential now.
"We are continuing to adjust our business continuity Covid-19 response to keep our people safe and well and ensure we keep cargo moving through the port," Napier Port CEO Todd Dawson said.
"We've been working closely with other essential businesses, shipping lines, customers and our freight and logistics partners to manage our operations and navigate the impacts due to the alert level 4 lockdown restrictions."
The ship was loaded with the food staples for the Chathams on Wednesday 1 April. The journey usually takes about 48 hours.
Taking every precaution to ensure the Chathams remains Covid-19 free, the crew of the ship remained on board to protect the integrity of the critical service.
"With the supplies delivered, we can sleep a bit easier knowing families on the Chatham Islands have what they need to sustain themselves during Government Alert Level 4."
