An iwi group has been delivering food in the eastern Bay of Islands where a kaumatua says the Covid-19 lockdown has compounded existing transport and poverty issues.
Te Rūnanga o Taumārere ki Rakaumangamanga — an iwi group which covers Waikare, Te Rawhiti and Kororāreka in the eastern Bay of Islands — delivered 120 kai packs to vulnerable families in the area, assisted by Northland MP Matt King.
Kaumatua Kara George said many local residents were beneficiaries or, until the virus shut down tourism and hospitality, had casual jobs in Russell.
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They lived from week to week and had been hard hit when supermarkets ditched specials earlier in the lockdown.