83 new community cases of Covid-19 were reported today, bringing the total number of cases in the community to 511. Video / NZ Herald
The chief executive of the Bay of Plenty District Health Board has met with members of the Pasifika community after the DHB wrongly requested passports be presented at Covid-19 vaccination appointments.
Pete Chandler told the Bay of Plenty Times he was deeply disappointed and that he had apologised profusely forthe mistake.
A provider who tried to register Pasifika families for vaccinations on Friday was told by the DHB it wanted to see their passports to check if they were seasonal workers.
The Ministry of Health says despite citizenship or residential status, there is enough of the Pfizer vaccine for everyone in New Zealand and is free to those living here.
Chandler told the Bay of Plenty Times he had apologised in writing and on the phone to the community provider's leader.
"I've been in conversation with members of the Pasifika community throughout the day, conveying that same message, and had a meeting with Pasifika community provider leaders this afternoon."
Bay of Plenty District Health Board chief executive Pete Chandler. Photo / George Novak
Health board staff had been "strongly reminded" that no forms of identification were required aside from name and date of birth, he said.
"While the issue remains a painful one, I have had some positive dialogue with those community leaders including discussions around how we can work together to advance the health and wellbeing needs of our Pasifika people, including and beyond the Covid-19 programme.
"We acknowledge, with regret, that this incident has affected trust and confidence in us among our Pasifika community. We are sorry."
Regional Public Services commissioner Ezra Schuster gave credit to the DHB for moving swiftly to resolve the situation.
However, he said there was no doubt there "has been a real breach of trust".
Schuster's role is to facilitate conversations between agencies including health boards, iwi and local government.
He learned of the incident through his Pasifika community and brought it to the attention of both the District Health Board chairwoman and chief executive.
Regional Public Service Commissioner Ezra Schuster. Photo / Supplied
"I managed to work together with the DHB and the provider to try and get the DHB to explain what had happened," Schuster said.
"To be quite honest, and to the DHB's credit, they moved really quickly when they learned of the situation on Saturday."
AvaNiu Pasifika, the provider involved, had worked to connect Pasifika whānau to be vaccinated. It was at the point of registering patients that the provider was told they needed to bring their passports, Schuster said.
"It was the frustration of the provider and our community here in Tauranga that led to this incident."
Asked if an apology was enough, Schuster said the DHB was now meeting with the Pasifika health provider.
"The DHB is committed to building a strong relationship with the community and rebuild their trust and confidence. I think we need to give them an opportunity to do this, and to prove that to the community."
Despite there being a "breach of trust", Schuster did not want this to undermine efforts to vaccinate the Pacific community.
"As both the Regional Public Services commissioner and as a Pasifika leader within our wider community, I urge everyone in our community to come forward [and get vaccinated]."
The Ministry of Health has confirmed everyone in New Zealand is eligible for a Covid-19 vaccine, no matter their residential status. Photo / Getty Images
AvaNiu Pasifika managing director and registered nurse Sameli Tongalea told the Bay of Plenty Times the meeting on Monday afternoon had been positive, although it wouldn't change what had happened.
"Going forward, our discussions focused on addressing and minimising any further incidents."
Tongalea did not want to make this incident a "systemic" thing and said Covid-19 was the real negative in the situation.
"Our people and our families have been really courageous in going to get their vaccinations and that needs to be acknowledged. They have gone and done it despite whatever fears they may have had."
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins and Associate Minister of Health Ayesha Verrall were both unavailable for comment, however Verrall told RNZ the situation was "unacceptable".
"I can't imagine what the reason for asking for that would be," Verrall said.
"We want everyone to be protected by the public health response, irrespective of your immigration status."
A Ministry of Health spokesman confirmed there was no requirement for people to produce photo identification to get vaccinated.
Staff would ask for people's names, dates of birth and contact details. This would then be recorded in the Covid Immunisation Register (CIR) through the National Health Index (NHI) number.
If a person did not have one, it would be created for them when vaccinated.
The NHI is unique to health and cannot be accessed by other agencies. It cannot be accessed by other Government agencies for immigration or tax purposes, he said.
