The 90% Project is an NZ Herald initiative that aims to reach all New Zealanders to get the word out about vaccination so we can save lives and restore freedoms. Video / NZ Herald
"If my family are going to die, I'm going to die with them."
This was the stance of some Auckland taitamariki (teenagers) who, along with their whānau, were so opposed to the Covid-19 vaccine, they would risk their lives.
Now, following weeks of consistent engagement with community leaders and top health officials, these young Māori are organising a South Auckland vaccination event tomorrow designed by taitamariki for taitamariki to boost vaccination levels among their peers.
Jahniah Taylor, 20, was one of many who strongly rejected the idea of vaccination at first.
"I was 100 per cent no," she said.
However, through the wānanga and relying on her faith, the mother of one said she slowly changed her mind.
"It's just because we'll be left out of our normal lives," she said.
"I want to be able to go into stores without them saying, 'I'm sorry, you're not vaccinated, you can't come in here'."
Many of those involved in the wānanga through Mā Te Huruhuru were against the vaccine initially but had since changed their minds through help from trusted health officials. Photo / Dean Purcell
Taylor would be getting her first jab at the group's "Jab and Grab" vaccination event at 18 Lambie Dr in Manukau between 9am-5pm tomorrow, supported by Manurewa Marae's Shot Cuzz mobile clinic.
In an unique move, incentives weren't being offered to those getting their vaccination tomorrow in an effort to curtail any suspicion.
"We don't want them to feel like we're bribing them to come get their vaccine," Taylor said.
Mā Te Huruhuru youth leadership group leader Taquayzsha Te-Ahu-Waugh, 15, reinforced that message, saying they wanted young Māori to get vaccinated for the right reasons.
"We don't want our event to be about free things. The main focus is to get people vaccinated and to keep them safe from the virus."
Nevertheless, there would be free kai offered to those getting the jab.
The vaccination event in Manukau would be supported by Manurewa Marae's Shot Cuzz mobile clinic. Photo / NZME
Mā Te Huruhuru chief executive Māhera Maihi said the common themes which fed into the initial reluctance of taitamariki was a distrust of the Government and belief in various vaccine misinformation.
Maihi credited the engagement by health professionals as the key factor in ensuring the taitamariki felt comfortable shifting their stance on the vaccine.
Jordan said having regular, face-to-face kōrero with young people was often just as valuable as the kōrero itself.
"Turning up every weekend, working alongside them, probably opened their hearts and minds to the message we were giving."
He believed this approach was essential in seeing vaccination levels rise for populations in which distrust in Government officials was commonplace.