Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio at Pasifika Celebration Day in Levin.
Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio at Pasifika Celebration Day in Levin.
The Minister of Pacific Peoples used the stage at Pasifika Celebration Day in Levin to make an impassioned plea for people to get vaccinated against Covid-19 as soon as they get the chance.
During his speech Aupito William Sio stressed the importance of getting a Covid-19 vaccination, as the Government and health officials begin a systematic roll-out of vaccines nationwide.
"This is the year of the vaccine," he said.
He told the 2500-strong crowd at Levin Domain on Saturday that when it comes to his turn to be vaccinated he wanted as many people watching as possible.
Minister for Pasific Peoples Aupito William Sio stressed the importance of getting a Covid-19 vaccination.
"I will stand in the middle of the road when it is my turn so you all can see," he said.
Minister Sio said the vaccines that were coming to New Zealand had been accessed by global experts, scientist and clinicians working in collaboration to ensure it was effective and safe.
He told the large crowd of mainly Pasifika people that the vaccine could be trusted.
It was the 10th year of Pasifika Celebration Day in Levin.
"Is it safe? Yes it is ... we would not be using it unless it was safe," he said.
He said the vaccine had been given the all-clear by MedSafe and it now needed a collaborated approach from the community. For the vaccine to be its most effective it needed everyone in the community to be immunised.
Levin man Chris Salu took the opportunity to get a immunised against measles at Pasifika Celebration Day in Levin at the weekend.
Minister Sio said it was important not only for Pasifika health, but New Zealand's health that everyone is immunised.
"It's got to be done," he said.
Horowhenua and Waiopehu Colleges combined for a performance at Pasifika Celebration Day.
"It's going to be important. It will add another layer of protection to ensure we are safe. If we are safe, we can start talking about travelling overseas again."
In looking around at the large crowd, Minister Sio also praised the collective Pasifika response to Covid-19 to date.
"We have a strong reference to logic and a dependency on experience ... we are able to support one another in trying times," he said.
Justin Toru, Katelyn Ruaporo, Marea Miimetua and Mata Toru manned a stall selling Cook Island ei katu at Pasifika Celebration Day at Levin.
"I also want to take this opportunity to ask for patience and vigilance because without us working together we would not be able to come together, like we are today."
There would soon be a New Zealand-wide roll-out of a vaccine. More than 15,000 essential frontline workers had already been vaccinated.
South Auckland would be a priority in the vaccination programme as it had been identified as a "gateway" region for the virus, given the number of people who lived there who worked at the airport and at isolation facilities, or who formed part of their "bubble".
Trimayne Fifita, from Mayneink, tidies up an old tattoo for Resharn Tamatea at Pasifika Celebration Day at Levin Domain at the weekend.
Elderly and the most vulnerable members of the community would also be given priority as the vaccine is rolled out.
