Rotorua Black Power gang member Freedom Werahiko, 23 (centre) and fellow members got their Covid 19 jabs at a vaccination drive in Bellingham Park. Photo / Andrew Warner.
Rotorua Black Power gang member Freedom Werahiko, 23 (centre) and fellow members got their Covid 19 jabs at a vaccination drive in Bellingham Park. Photo / Andrew Warner.
Rotorua's Black Power gang members who stepped forward to get vaccinated at a public event over the weekend, hope to inspire other community members to do the same.
More than 60 members of Rotorua's Black Power community, and some from Whakatāne, Tokoroa and Tauranga were part of a vaccination driveheld at the Fordlands Community Centre on Saturday.
The initiative was led by local Black Power members, in conjunction with the Lakes District Health Board and supported by other community providers.
Fordlands family fun day an vaccination drive at Bellingham Park. (l-r)Black Power members Rikihana Dixon, Heremi Teepu, and Gary Taylor. Photo / Andrew Warner
Held at Bellingham Park reserve, the event featured kōrero from health officials about the vaccine, and vaccination staff administering the jabs along with fun activities, including a best of three tug-of-war competition, won by Fordlands.
Rotorua Black Power member Freedom Werahiko, 23, was one of the event's organisers.
Werahiko said he hoped he and others stepping up to get jabbed had given more people the confidence to also get the vaccine.
He said he had earlier been sceptical and social media messages had a lot to do with that, but after hearing more about the vaccine and its benefits, it wasn't a hard decision.
"This is all about ensuring our whanau and the wider community are all protected from this nasty virus...We all need to step up to do our bit," he said.
Rikihana Dixon at the Fordlands family fun day an vaccination drive at Bellingham Park. Photo / Andrew Warner
Other gangs have held similar events, including the Waikato Mongrel Mob.
Werahiko said he was optimistic more of their gang's membership would accept the vaccine after hearing from local health officials and seeing them getting the vaccine.
"My arm is a bit sore today, but that's probably from taking part in the tug-of-war competition," he said.
Fordlands Community Centre director Maraea Pomana said it was wonderful to see Werahiko and other organisers promoting the vaccination message in their community.
Up to 300 people attended on Saturday, and more than 60 got vaccinated, she said.
Yvonne Rogers from Lakes DHB at the event. Photo / Andrew Warner.
Moana said Werahiko and the other gang whanau could rightly be proud of themselves
for doing something that benefits not only their families but the wider community.
"Because they often feel so excluded from the rest of society... doing something so positive needs to be applauded and encouraged."
Pomana, a youth worker of almost two decades, said lots of younger gang members do want to make changes in their lives and they can inspire our youth to do the same.
Rotorua Black Power gang member Freedom Werahiko, 23 (centre) and fellow members got their Covid 19 jabs at a vaccination drive in Bellingham Park. Photo / Andrew Warner.
Lakes District Health Board Pou Manukura relationships and engagement spokesperson, Phyllis Tangitu, said local health officials met with a forum of gang leaders four weeks ago to offer vaccination support.
"We have been privileged to hear our whānau stories. They have told us that we need to take the service to them," she said.
Tangitu said the DHB had worked collaboratively with Te Arawa Collective to assist local gang leaders with the event.
