Wairoa's red light: Balancing a push for the vaccine with respect for the unvaccinated

Wairoa to go to 'red' while the rest of Hawke's Bay goes to 'orange' under new Traffic light Covid-19 alert system. photo/NZME

It's the first "traffic light" to come to Wairoa - and for now, it's stuck on the red light.

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little says his northern Hawke's Bay district is feeling a little surprised and isolated after finding out on Monday that it would not move to 'orange' on the Government's traffic light system.

But he's determined not to let it tear his community of just a single roundabout and several stop signs into two - vaccinated and unvaccinated.

The rest of Hawke's Bay will be in "orange" on Saturday and Little says it's a bit odd, but he understands that "it really just comes down to vaccination numbers" and keeping his community safe.

"A lot of people are disappointed, but there is a responsibility for everyone to get vaccinated before we can move out of 'red'," Little said.

"People who don't want to get vaccinated need to look at the consequences."

With no ventilators, no ICU and the closest hospital more than two hours' drive away, Little said vaccination was a key part of community safety.

He wants residents to decide to get the vaccine without peer pressure, but has his fingers crossed that Wairoa's 82% of first doses will soon hit the 90% mark and it can join the rest of Hawke's Bay at 'orange'.

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said, "if we don't get to 90% soon we will be stuck in 'red' for ages. Photo / Warren Buckland.

Wairoa Taiwhenua chairman Nigel How said vaccination had been fully encouraged locally, alongside respecting the rights of people who are hesitant to get vaccinated or choose not to get vaccinated.

"Of the 1,500 yet to get their first vaccine in Wairoa District, 1,200 are Maori," How said.

"As level red is similar to level 2, which we have been in for a few months now, the impact on the community will not be as great as anticipated."

Due to the new public health measures released for the traffic light system, the impact may be "felt most at marae level", How said.

"Digesting these measures is still a work in progress."

How expects the biggest difference will be how we as a community look after both those who are vaccinated and those who are unvaccinated.

"Continued manaakitanga for all will ensure we look after everyone in our community, no matter what the future holds."

​The Wairoa District identity is strong and resolute, he said.

"Our community does not feel isolated from any other area."