Te Arawa Covid Response Hub has rolled out its first vaccine with more than 100 kaumātua present. There were families of up to five generations receiving their first dose of the vaccination.
Te Arawa Covid Response Hub chairman Monty Morrison says the aim of the outreach is to preserve whakapapa.
"Whakapapa is the basis of everything, of who we are. And the Te Arawa rollout has been deliberately based, hapū based and of course, therefore, whakapapa based, so the importance of having families together is part of the bubble."
Retired GP John Armstrong says it's vital to protect not just individuals, but the wider iwi.
"People understand the need to protect themselves and also their communities. It's great to see people here and bringing their bubble, bringing the people that are close to them and they know that they're here to protect them all, not only themselves."