Kaipara mayor Dr Jason Smith gets his first vaccination in Dargaville earlier this month.
Photo / NZME
Kaipara mayor Dr Jason Smith gets his first vaccination in Dargaville earlier this month.
Photo / NZME
COMMENT
The Covid-19 epidemic is likely a once in a lifetime experience, and one that most would not want to live through again. As a region and a country we have been resilient, ironically galvanised through the shared experience of separation, a team of five million.
However, with case numbers risingin Tai Tokerau the cautious calls for another lockdown are met with a cry to leave us be, as fatigue and frustration after 18 months of uncertainty and alert level changes sets in.
After showing the best of the Kiwi spirit through the challenges which Covid has thrown us during the past 18 months, it's been disheartening to see the team of five million start to fracture.
The Government's announcement last week of the 90 per cent vaccination target has seen divisions set in around the best way forward for our country and our region. The onus has been put on our people to reach the goal provided in order to open our borders, reunite whānau and get our economy moving.
Therein lies the challenge and equally the frustration. Two distinct sides have been drawn, those who want to push forward to reach our target, and those who do not wish to partake in the vaccination programme.
On both sides, exhaustion, frustration and a desperation to get back to 'normal life' has left very little room for compassion and understanding.
It's important to recognise how the Covid-19 experience has changed us. Uncertainty is the new normal and, through it, our skills to adjust and be agile have grown. Our economy has been thrown on its head; businesses have closed their doors. Home offices and classrooms have sprung up in any spare corner of a home.
For some, this time has been an opportunity to explore new avenues, embrace new business opportunities, find new passions. Where there was once bare land in my backyard there is now a garden, the alert level lockdown growing within me a desire to provide for my family and allowing the time to do so.
Hannah Mackay is a communications specialist at Northland Inc.
Realising what is important and realigning values are some of the new seeds of thought which have been planted in our minds as a result of this experience.
The hidden toll of this sustained uncertainty has been on our mental health, and the forced separation means we must focus not on what we don't have but what we do. Like many of us, I have struggled with being separated from whānau both in Auckland and overseas, watching our families grow up through a computer screen.
However, during this time my local whānau has grown. Neighbours and friends have become family, our resources and support systems shared to help one another get through. And for this, we must be very grateful.
As we navigate this latest challenge which we have been presented, we must remember the journey which we have all been on. While everyone's individual challenges may look different, we share the experiences of uncertainty, of fear, of the unknown.
To emerge stronger than before we must ensure the decisions and actions we undertake today create a better Tai Tokerau for future generations.
During this period, I've seen great collaboration and passion from central government agencies, local government bodies, community, iwi and hapū organisations across Tai Tokerau, coming together to advocate for our region and execute initiatives to safeguard our region's health, environment and economy for future generations.
Job titles have been put aside to undertake joint mahi (work) for the greater good of our people. The positive gains made to support the wellbeing of our region would not be possible without shared understanding, compassion and kindness.
The Government's traffic light system outlines what we need to do to regain normality. The vaccination strategy is our region's best bet to safeguard the health of our people and our economy.
We have extraordinary individuals and groups in Te Tai Tokerau who will work to ensure our region emerges from this period with a strategy and structure to provide hope for the future.
Initiatives such as the Te Tai Tokerau Economic Action Plan and the Taitokerau Destination Management Plan will drive forward action to help our economy and region thrive.
The decisions and actions we undertake today should leave Tai Tokerau in a better place for future generations, understanding that our greatest asset is one another.
He aha te mea nui o te ao What is the most important thing in the world? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata It is the people, it is the people, it is the people
• Hannah Mackay is a communications specialist at Northland Inc.
