Covid 19 coronavirus: Iwi preparing for future Northland border control by learning from police checkpoints

Dannie Samuels-Thomas talks to a motorist during January's iwi-led Covid-19 information centre checkpoint on SH1 south of Kawakawa. Photo / Tania Whyte

Representatives from Tai Tokerau Border Control (TBC) joined police at a checkpoint on Northland's southern boundary yesterday as an observation exercise.

Tai TBC logistics co-ordinator Nyze Porter said she and one other travelled to Te Hana's police border checkpoint on a reconnaissance mission to note any police methods the group may want to use within their own operations employed to protect their whakapapa.

"It is only us that will protect ourselves at the end of the day," Porter said. "The future planning for TBC is going to help our people as we will have improved our techniques and professionalism."

She said their checkpoints were designed to educate people and inform the public about testing station locations.

The outing - the only iwi presence at northern police checkpoints - was a forward-thinking move by Tai TBC. The group is preparing for an expected situation where alert levels differ between regions and they are compelled to take action.

Tai TBC had decided to send only two volunteer members to Te Hana to guard the health of its own whānau and to avoid a perception of the group as intimidating.

"That is not what we are and that is not how we want to come across," Porter said.

Iwi-led information centre checkpoint on SH1 south of Kawakawa in January. Photo / Tania Whyte

The initial backlash faced by Tai TBC during its first border control operation in April last year in the Far North has waned from attacks laced with racism to increased public support, Porter said.

"As things have become more elevated with the seriousness of the virus, people are now starting to understand and love the mahi we are undertaking and our growing professionalism."

Tai TBC was grateful for the public's growing understanding and patience regarding its aims to care for Northland communities.

And Porter was proud of the close relationship Tai TBC had harboured with Northland police as well as other iwi situated close to the boundary checkpoints.

Inspector Riki Whiu, acting district commander for Northland, said police respect and recognise the good intentions of the group.

"We're all coming to this kaupapa from the same place - out of a need to protect the most vulnerable in the community. As we have throughout the Covid-19 response, we continue to work with our partners which includes iwi," he said.

Police in Tāmaki Makaurau have partnered with Ngāti Whātua, the tangata whenua of the area where the Northern checkpoints are located.

In January, Tai TBC brought checkpoints back in response to a Covid-19 case in Northland and two cases in Auckland.

Police closed down the iwi 'information centre' set up on SH1, south of Kawakawa, after they advised the group there was no requirement for checkpoints while the region was in alert level 1.