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Seven days straight with no new cases of Covid-19

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Seven days straight with no new cases of Covid-19
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Ministry of Health Covid-19 update

May 29, 2020

For the seventh day in a row, there are no new cases of Covid-19 to report in New Zealand.

Our total number of confirmed cases remains at 1154 which is the number we report to the World Health Organization.

Our combined total of confirmed and probable cases remains at 1504.

There are seven additional recovered cases meaning this total is now 1481. Only one case remains active.

There are no additional deaths to report.

There is no one in New Zealand receiving hospital-level care for Covid-19.

Yesterday our laboratories completed 4162 tests, bringing the total number of tests completed to date to 275,852.

NZ Covid Tracer app

The NZ Covid Tracer app has now recorded 446,000 registrations – that’s an increase of 10,000 since this time yesterday.

We continue to encourage as many people as possible to download the app – it will help us identify, trace, test and isolate any cases of Covid-19.

We also recognise the work being done by businesses to get their unique QR codes up and running, with 19,530 posters having been created as of this morning.

Gatherings

A change to the size of social gatherings that are permitted under Alert Level 2 came into effect at midday today.

Groups of up to 100 people are now permitted – this includes events at home and outside of home, and gatherings like religious services, parties, weddings, tangihanga and funerals.  

It’s important everyone continues to play it safe.

The person in charge of a social gathering must ensure records are kept for contact tracing purposes, except in cases where every person in a gathering knows each other.

The rules of “seated, separated, single-server” still apply for hospitality businesses, but they can now take group bookings for more than 10 people.

Faith-based gatherings and clubs will be able to operate with the 100 person maximum applying in each defined area, as long as intermingling in common spaces can be prevented.

More information about the changes to gatherings under Alert Level 2 can be found here.

Masks

For the public, staying home if you’re unwell, maintaining physical distancing and basic hygiene measures remain the most important way to stop the spread of infections, including Covid-19. This is reinforced by the Ministry’s latest advice on community use of face masks published today along with an updated policy and evidence review.

Basic hygiene measures include:

  • hand hygiene – that is, washing hands regularly with soap and water, then drying them thoroughly, or cleansing with alcohol-based hand sanitiser containing at least 60% alcohol
  • coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your elbow and then performing hand hygiene
  • avoiding touching your face
  • cleaning surfaces and frequently touched items regularly.

The use of  face masks can reduce the spread of infection when used correctly and in the appropriate context. They are recommended in situations where people are more likely to be exposed to Covid-19, such as health care settings and those involved in border management.

Based on our current Covid-19 context, for most people in the community the advice remains unchanged – healthy people in the community are not required to wear a face mask for protection from Covid-19 in New Zealand.  Healthy members of the public may choose to purchase and wear a face mask, or make their own. We encourage them to use their face mask safely, as there are risks associated with incorrect use of all types of face masks.

More information is available on the Ministry website about the use of face masks in the community, including how to use face masks safely and the updated review on the science and policy around face masks and Covid-19.

CM Health visitor restrictions remain at Level 2

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CM Health visitor restrictions remain at Level 2

Counties Manukau Health (CM Health) will continue to have visitor restrictions in place during alert Level 2 with DHB sites only accessible on exceptional and compassionate circumstances.

“We understand that family and friends have been missing their loved ones during the lockdown,” says CM Health Chief Executive Officer, Fepulea’i Margie Apa.

“Our priority is keeping patients and staff safe as we work to maintain infection prevention control and prepare for potential surges.

“We are well into our preparation for winter and the hospital is already at 85 per cent capacity, on top of Covid-19 screening.

“At Middlemore Hospital alone, we have more than 2000 visitors coming on site every day to see patients and attend outpatient clinics.

“We are working hard to ensure there is a balance between health and safety and ensuring visitors get the access they need which is why we are managing the number of people coming to our hospitals and other sites.”

Ms Apa says access on compassionate or exceptional grounds will be prioritised.

Compassionate or exceptional grounds could include a nominated family member to support a patient through end of life care, a child in hospital, women giving birth in a maternity facility or someone who has been in hospital for a long time and requires additional support.

Children are also unable to visit at this time.

Family who want to visit will need to request it in advance by speaking to a Charge Nurse and Midwife Manager.  Staff will also work with visitors to ensure physical distancing is observed especially when rooms are shared.

“We acknowledge this is a difficult time for all, and encourage whaanau to stay connected with their loved ones in hospital,” says Ms Apa.

“There is free WiFi for patients to use during their stay and we have sufficient devices available through the Charge Nurse, for patients who don’t have their own devices. Family and friends can also keep in touch by calling or texting.”

For more information go to the CM Health website: www.countiesmanukau.health.nz

Auckland Transport: discounts for travelling during the day

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Auckland Transport: discounts for travelling during the day

Auckland Transport is discounting fares on buses and trains to encourage more people to travel during the day and at night.

Throughout June, there will be a 30 percent discount on AT HOP rates for adults who travel on weekdays after 9 am and before 3 pm. The discount also applies after 6.30 pm, until the end of service, Monday to Friday only.

Transport Minister Phil Twyford says this is exactly the sort of initiative we need more of to help keep congestion at bay.

“I’d encourage other councils to implement measures like this one to help encourage off-peak travel while public transport capacity is reduced.

“Our Government is also supporting councils and commuters to make sensible changes to help with physical distancing, like widening footpaths.”

Mayor Phil Goff says the discounted fares aim to encourage more people to use buses and trains at off-peak times when there are fewer passengers on board.

“During Covid-19 Alert Level 2, Auckland Transport’s buses and trains can carry only around 43 percent of their usual passengers, to ensure that safe physical distancing can be maintained,” he says.

“We want to encourage more people to travel outside the busiest peak periods, so we are discounting fares as an incentive to those who may be able to change their schedules, for example by starting and finishing work later in the day.

“Tertiary students will also get a 30 percent discount on adult HOP fares if they travel in the daytime or evening off-peak period.”

AT chief executive Shane Ellison says this is a great opportunity to continue to unite against Covid-19 and try to move demand away from the busy periods.

“In level 2 our passengers have to be one metre apart and as more people return to work and study that’s starting to put pressure on some bus and train services.

“We want people to feel safe using public transport and we must make sure there are no issues with physical distancing.

“This is an opportunity for Aucklanders who are able to work more flexibly, to trial it for the month. It does have a real impact on our public transport and road network and we are looking forward to seeing how Aucklanders’ travel choices might change with this discount.”

Mr Ellison says a study done in Melbourne, before the pandemic, shows that between four and seven percent of customers there would shift from peak to off-peak if they were offered a 30 percent discount. 

 More people travelling after 9 am could in the longer term reduce the need to add more buses to the peak. Under pre-Covid-19 conditions, a 5 percent peak shift would offset the need to add around 25 to 50 buses to the fleet of 1300.

Remember we’re not accepting cash under Alert Level 2 and you get on and off the bus through the back doors. We’d recommend you register your AT HOP card to help with contact tracing if it’s needed. This will also mean we can monitor passenger numbers and make fast adjustments to services if required.

For more on Alert Level 2: https://at.govt.nz/about-us/news-events/public-transport-information/

No new cases of Covid-19; death toll rises to 22

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No new cases of Covid-19; death toll rises to 22
Photo AHG NZ

Ministry of Health Covid-19 update

May 28, 2020

Today there are no new cases of Covid-19 to report in New Zealand.

Our total number of confirmed cases remains at 1154, which is the number we report to the World Health Organization.

Our combined total of confirmed and probable cases remains at 1504.

There are 12 additional recovered cases meaning this total is now 1474.  Only eight cases remain active.

We have been asked to provide some comment following the death of Eileen Hunter, a resident from St Margaret’s Hospital & Rest Home.  We are providing Eileen’s name following a request to do so by her family.

Eileen was in her 90s and passed away on Sunday. She was much loved by those who knew her.

Eileen was confirmed as having Covid-19 in mid-April and had been transferred from St Margaret’s to Waitakere hospital and then to North Shore hospital. Once recovered, with two negative test results, she was transferred back to St Margaret’s.

The family has asked the Ministry to pass on their thanks for the care of their mother at St Margaret’s and at Waitakere and North Shore hospitals.

In turn, we extend our sympathy to her family for their loss.

It is important to note that Eileen was regarded as having recovered from Covid-19 at the time of her death and Covid-19 is not recorded as the primary cause of her death.

After consideration, we have decided to include Eileen’s death in our overall tally of Covid-19 related deaths, consistent with our inclusive approach to date.

This means the number of Covid-19 related deaths in New Zealand is now 22.

Again today, there is no one in New Zealand receiving hospital-level care for Covid-19.

Yesterday our laboratories completed 4255 tests, bringing the total number of tests completed to date to 271,690.

NZ Covid Tracer app
The NZ Covid Tracer app has now recorded 436,000 registrations – that’s an increase of 14,000 since this time yesterday.

We continue to encourage as many people as possible to download the app – it will help us identify, trace, test and isolate any cases of Covid-19.

We also recognise the work being done by businesses to get their unique QR codes up and running, with 18,500 posters having been created as of this morning.

World Health Organization
Our numbers today reinforce that New Zealand is continuing to do well, however we need to continue working together to keep ourselves in that position.

In recent days, the World Health Organization has reminded countries about the need to be careful when relaxing alert level restrictions.

As the WHO has observed, epidemics often come in waves and a second wave will continue to be a possibility in New Zealand, even in a number of months from now.

Continuing the hard work by all New Zealanders will ensure we continue our zero cases, our downwards trajectory and don’t face a second peak.

Heading into a long weekend, stay safe and well.

“Be kind” on the roads this weekend- Police

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“Be kind” on the roads this weekend- Police

Be kind and take extra care on the road this weekend – that’s the message from Police and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency this Queen’s Birthday Weekend.

“As people prepare to go away for the first long weekend since lockdown, we want to remind them they will be sharing the road with a lot more people than they’ve been used to for a while.

And with more people comes more risk,” says Acting Superintendent Gini Welch, National Manager for Road Policing.

“We need people to remember the basics of road safety; wear your seatbelt, stay within the speed limit and drive to the conditions of the road, put your phone away, always make sure you are sober and alert.

Share the driving if you can.

“This is the first long weekend the country has had since the start of the year where people are actually able to leave town as part of Alert Level 2.

“We know people will be keen to catch up with friends and family they have missed around the country.

That likely means they’ll be eager to get going and get there.

“So we want to remind people that there will be traffic and there will be hold ups, so it’s important to stay calm and patient.

The important thing is arriving at your destination safely.

“Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Kiwis have done a great job of being kind to each other, and being kind on the roads is just as vital as anywhere else.

“How you act on the roads has an impact on everybody else around you.

So, let’s remember to be kind and take care of each other,” Acting Superintendent Welch says.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Senior Road Safety Manager Fabian Marsh says Queen’s Birthday weekend is also a good time for people to move into a safe winter driving mindset.

Officers will continue to be highly visible on the roads throughout the long weekend warned police.

“While most of the country has had a long summer and an unusually fine autumn, winter weather is starting to set in.

We’re now seeing a drop in overnight temperatures, and more cold, wet, windy days.

The change in the weather is a good prompt to think about safe winter driving.

“Ice, fog, rain, and snow can all make for treacherous road conditions, so it’s important to allow extra time for your journeys and drive to the road and weather conditions.

“It’s also important to ensure your car is safe, roadworthy, and well equipped for winter driving, with a safe spare tyre, lights, brakes and windscreen-wipers all working, and a clean windscreen inside and out.”

Waka Kotahi’s website contains more easy tips for safe winter driving: nzta.govt.nz/winterjourneys

“These tips are particularly important heading into the long Queen’s Birthday holiday weekend, with more traffic on our roads,” says Mr Marsh.

Police officers will continue to be highly visible on the roads throughout the long weekend, ensuring those who are travelling are driving safely.

 

‘Kiwis in Business’ podcast interview series launches

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‘Kiwis in Business’ podcast interview series launches

Today marks the official unveiling of ‘Kiwis in Business’, a brand new podcast featuring interviews with Kiwi business owners, following the successful release of five pilot episodes.

‘Kiwis in Business’ is a melting pot of informal, yet informative interviews by former Howick Journalist and Public Relations specialist Linda Shackelford, of Expand PR, who sets out to explore the different personalities, ideas and skillsets of innovative and entrepreneurial Kiwis.

“As a former journalist, I’m passionate about talking to Kiwi business owners about what makes them tick. During the four years that I’ve been running my own boutique PR business, I have been hugely impressed and supportive of my fellow New Zealanders who have built some amazing businesses from scratch,” says Linda.

“However, often smaller businesses go unnoticed and unrecognised or don’t know where to start on promoting themselves. My job is to uncover the inspiring and authentic stories behind business owners and their businesses and help get those stories out to the wider community.”

She added, “I am using my skills to highlight theirs – something which has turned out to be very fulfilling for both me and other business owners, especially at this uncertain time when small business owners need all the support and publicity they can get!”

The first five episodes released on Spotify and Google Podcasts have attracted positive feedback from listeners and Linda says she’s had an influx of emails from small business owners requesting to be interviewed since she executed a ‘soft launch’ last week.

The episode; ‘Exploring Aerial Photography’ with Oamaru artist Emma Willetts, explores the creative’s passion behind her photography, her travel adventures, why she started her own business and her plans to open a showroom in Oamaru in coming months.

Linda Shackleford from Expand PR has started a “Kiwis in Business’ podcast. Photo supplied

An interview with Philip Moon, co-founder of Life101, an organisation that teaches life skills to a wide range of groups, including prisoners, youth at risk and high performing teenagers around New Zealand, has attracted much interest. “I was delighted to talk about the positive change we at Life101 are making in the community,” says Philip. “I’m a keen podcast consumer myself, and I really like the length and pace of ‘Kiwis in Business’ and see it as a fantastic way to open my eyes (and ears!!) to what local businesses are doing in the community.”

All interviews are under 20 minutes, a palatable timeframe Linda says is perfect for consuming during a short commute to a meeting, or on a daily walk.

“I’m a storyteller at heart, and love interviewing people to get to the crux of who they are, their purpose, and drive. I cherish hearing about inspiring businesses, quirky situations, and the goals and challenges of our Kiwi leaders. So far, I believe that this podcast is ticking all these boxes.”

Each week, a new interview with a Kiwi business owner will be released to followers, with supporting content being rolled out on the ‘Kiwis in Business’ Facebook and Instagram pages.

2 Other episodes include a chat with Andy Ford, founder of Epic Campers, who hopes more Kiwis will explore New Zealand in new ways, Jodie Rainsford, creator of James. a luxury dog bed and accessories brand, and an interview with life coach Victoria Harrison of Change Therapy.

Avoid the after school rush-Auckland Transport

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Avoid the after school rush-Auckland Transport

Bus, trains and ferries in Auckland are having to cope with increased demand particularly at the end of the school day while still operating on reduced capacity.

The number of people using public transport in Auckland has gone from 126,000 on Monday of last week to 148,000 yesterday.

Alert level 2 means public transport is managing with physical distancing restrictions leaving around 43 per cent seated capacity. The result is capacity issues on some services when schools get out for the day.

Drivers will have to leave passengers behind if the bus, train or ferry reaches the maximum capacity.

If you can travel before 2:30pm or after 4pm that will help us manage the after school rush.

And a reminder, the rules are different for dedicated school buses. Like school classrooms, they are controlled environments. Ministry of Health guidelines make it clear that physical distancing is not always practical on school buses, observing all the necessary hygiene requirements is the key priority. Schools also know which students are travelling on school buses, so contact tracing can take place, if required.

We’d like to remind schools and their students not to crowd on to trains in particular. Auckland Transport, along with its rail operator Transdev, have set some rules for coping with the after school rush. Where there are high numbers of school pupils, staff are directing children to a part of the train away from other customers.

We would like to thank the schools who are working with AT and Transdev to organise the children to board the part of the train reserved for them.  

Remember we’re not accepting cash under Alert Level 2 and you get on and off the bus through the back doors. We’d recommend you register your AT HOP card to help with contact tracing if it’s needed. This will also means we can monitor passenger numbers and make fast adjustments to services if required.

For more on Alert Level 2: https://at.govt.nz/about-us/news-events/public-transport-information/

No new cases of Covid-19 for 5th day in a row

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No new cases of Covid-19 for 5th day in a row
Photo AHG NZ

Ministry of Health Covid-19 update

May 27, 2020

For a fifth consecutive day, there are no new cases of Covid-19 to report in New Zealand.

Our total number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 remains at 1154, which is the number we report to the World Health Organization.

Our combined total of confirmed and probable cases remains at 1504.

There is one additional recovered case meaning this total is now 1462 while 21 cases remain active.

There are no additional deaths to report.

Currently, there is no one in New Zealand receiving hospital-level care for Covid-19. This follows the discharge of one person from Middlemore.

Yesterday our laboratories completed 4279 tests bringing the total number of tests completed to date to 267,435.

NZ Covid Tracer app
The NZ Covid Tracer app has now recorded 422,000 registrations – that’s an increase of 17,000 since this time yesterday.

We continue to encourage as many people as possible to download the app – it will help us identify, trace, test and isolate any cases of Covid-19.

We also recognise the work being done by businesses to get their unique QR codes up and running, with 17,000 posters having been created as of this morning.


Âwhina app
Following the launch of NZ Covid Tracer last week, a new mobile app, Âwhina, released by the Ministry of Health today will help health workers access the information they need about Covid-19.

Âwhina means health workers will be able to gain quick access to the latest information, such as case definitions, clinical care pathways and Personal Protective Equipment guidance.

Âwhina will give them access to this information from their mobile device anywhere, anytime.

The Ministry developed the new app with feedback from people working in the health sector, and by learning from approaches taken in other countries to get information about COVID-19 to health workers.

Getting out and about
Back in Alert Level 4, we saw how popular walking, cycling and other forms of active transport such as scooting became.

“With less traffic on the roads, enjoying the outdoors in this way was one of the enjoyable features of Level 4,” says Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield.

“I know it gets harder with winter at hand and shorter days but I would strongly encourage people to continue with active transport when they can. This could include walking or cycling if you have a short trip to work, to school, or the shops.

“You can expect to see councils providing more space for people walking and cycling, with temporary bike lanes and so. This is important because as traffic returns people need to feel safe continuing to cycle and walk in towns and cities.

“The Ministry of Health has been working with Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) and the Ministry of Transport around the public health benefits of walking and cycling and this will continue.”

Virtual is the future of fundraising in a post Covid-19 world

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Virtual is the future of fundraising in a post Covid-19 world

Every year Kiwis give $1.5bn to NZ charities – Guillaume Dehan

How are charities suppose to raise funds when businesses are reeling under the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, is a question that not-for-profit organisations have been wrestling with.

With economists predicting that full economic recovery post Covid-19 will take years, local charities and non-profit organisations are deeply concerned about fundraising or tapping into businesses that earlier supported them.

In a recent Zoom webinar hosted by Auckland North Community Development, Therese Lanigan-Behrent   consultant for organisations with a social conscience provided the much-needed relief by offering funding options for managers, trustees and fundraisers who work for not-for-profit organisations and local community groups.

Talking about the current streams of grant funding that have not dried up, she said that Community Trust Foundation North (www.foundationnoarht.org.nz) is “carrying on as normal”.

Other options worth tapping into include Creative NZ Funding (www.creativenz.govt.nz) that gives resilience and short-term grants; Community Organisation Grants Scheme (www.communitymatters.govt.nz) and Trustee companies like Perpetual Guardian (www.perpetualguardian.co.nz).

“Other pro-bon support partners could be Help Tank (www.helptank.nz) and Lets Collaborate (wwwletscolloborate.co.nz) as well as free online one-on-one clinics for charities that help draft funding applications like info@charities.govt.nz”

Fundraising in the near future will be about online presence with auction fundraisers, virtual quiz fundraisers and crowdfunding campaigns, Lanigan-Behrent said.

The Let’s not Forget virtual campaign by the RSA following the cancellation of Anzac day services is an example of how options for fundraising have changed. Photo supplied

Giving an example of the recent RSA-initiated poppy replacement project with give-a-little page donations, she mentioned that bucket collections may take a while to come back.

A break-up of the philanthropic giving in New Zealand shows that that bequests, crowdfunding, one-off donations and regular giving constitutes 58 per cent of giving.

Funding from grants is a close second at 27 per cent— it includes gaming trusts, trustee companies, family and individual trusts, NZ Lottery grants, community trusts, energy trusts, licensing trusts, community foundations, corporate foundations, government contracts, Local Board and Auckland Council.

Interestingly, business giving comes a third at 15 per cent. It involves sponsorships, cause related marketing and payroll giving.

Other streams of fund raising include special events that vary from street appeals, nominated charity event, virtual events, community events, social enterprise, sales service and merchandise.

Another eye-opening conversation was initiated by Guillaume Dehan of Fund a Future as he revealed that nearly half of all donations made to New Zealand charities are left unclaimed.

“Did you know that donations to ChildFund are eligible for a 33.33 per cent tax rebate from Inland Revenue?

“If you think it’s not worth the effort to claim your donation tax rebate, you’re not alone. Most donors find it a painful process to get a rebate on a $30 donation to submit their charity donation receipts each year. That’s millions of dollars that could be used to make a difference.

“Every year Kiwis give $1.5bn to NZ charities out of which around $257 million is claimed; $216m is unclaimed.”

Speaking of upcycling donations he said that Fund a Future helps individuals to get a tax rebate on donations which are then gifted to charities of their choice.”

Dehan ended saying they optimise the payment of donation rebates –with a charitable edge, thus helping people’s donations to go further.

 

 

 

 

Garnishing Grove to help students start fresh after lockdown

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Garnishing Grove to help students start fresh after lockdown

Going back to school after a prolonged lockdown could be unsettling for students and helping them make a symbolic fresh start is the formal opening of the Garnishing Grove at Farm Cove Intermediate on Thursday.

Planting the first olive tree in the community garden that students along with landscapist Lance Millward helped create is Pakuranga PM Simeon Brown.

“This is a legacy that you are leaving behind for generations to come. When you grow old, your grandchildren will come here and you can tell them you designed this garden,” Brown told envirogroup and food technology students.

Linda Harvie, principal of Farm Cove Intermediate said the location of the garden next to the Food and Bio room is of special significance. “Like in MasterChef, children can run out in the garden to get a herb or edible flower whilst cooking,” she says.

The idea behind the newly-landscaped community garden – which was once just a patch of dirt with a flagpole – is health and wellbeing of students, said assistant principal Tamara Jones.

“Their wellbeing has been a concern to us and so we thought of doing something special in the first week of school after lockdown,” Jones said.

Simeon Brown plants the first olive tree in the new community garden at Farm Cove Intermediate. Times photo Wayne Martin

“This is a student-led initiative with our students designing the grove end of last year. The grove is a resource for the community to come and pick up garden-fresh herbs and fruit. The school is utilising local businesses and being supported by our local MP.”

Twelve-year-old Skyfi Lin, who created a 3D design of the grove, said the best part is the final design which is an amalgamation of designs submitted by students.

Year 8 student Finlay Newton said they fundraised $6000 for the garden by organising mufti days, a school disco and a wheelathon last year.

The school’s board of trustees will make a contribution to match the funds collected by students.

Lance Millward, a professional landscape architect with Verdant Green, and a school parent is proud of the fact that a dead space (with two camphor trees) has now been transformed.

“We have set up bench seats around the garden so that children can come and enjoy it. There will be white chips laid out and carving done by me on the totem pole that parents helped install,” he says.

“It’s a great experience to have students submit their designs and finally see it all come together.”

 

Security award: Plaza security team winners

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Security award: Plaza security team winners

The Guardforce Security team at Pakuranga Plaza has picked up a top award from the New Zealand Security Association.

The NZSA has announced the second Covid-19 Guardian Award winners are a team from the Plaza.

This campaign was established to recognise essential service security guards’ efforts during Covid-19 lockdown.

The public nominated guards who had gone ‘above and beyond’ during the pandemic lockdown.

The winners are Lutelo Hausia (site security manager), Kelemete Makalio, Mark Tavoi Solomona, Meketi Silva and Phillip Lova.

The team was nominated by Allan Wharerau, general manager of Guardforce Security, but the nomination was prompted by multiple commendations received from Pakuranga Plaza retailers and shoppers as well as the property manager.

“This team have proved to everyone visiting the Plaza that they are rock stars,” Wharerau said.

One of the centre retailers highly commended the team saying, “They are caring and friendly and easy to communicate with, always wanting to know if we were okay.

“We value what they do and how much they care about the people that have worked through this difficult time, as well as putting their lives at risk for all of us.”

The winning team (from left) Martin Mihlev (Guardforce operations manager), Kelemete Makalio (guard), Mark Tavoi Solomona (guard), Plaza property manager Jaki Dwight, Lutelo Hausia (head guard), Alan (Guardforce GM) at the back, Phillip Lova (guard), Meketi Siliva (guard) and Mele (Plaza cleaner who also got a gift from the Plaza for her services working 7 days per week as the only cleaner on-site during Level 4).

A pharmacy manager said “They have been a tremendous help to our pharmacy team, helping elderly patients and supporting us in various way.”

Property manager Jaki Dwight, in an email to Guardforce Security, said “It is rare that anyone provides good feedback in any normal situation so getting this kind of feedback in the midst of such a difficult time for the world is truly amazing.

“You guys are making us proud every day and I know that Ziso (who started Guardforce Security but passed away in 2018) will be looking down and smiling at the efforts you are all going to, to make things safe and run as smoothly as possible. He will be proud as punch!”

The NZSA introduced the Covid-19 Guardian Award as a way in which the wider community could recognise and say thanks to security personnel for their efforts.

NZSA CEO Gary Morrison is thrilled with the number and quality of nominations received. He said judging was very difficult but the Pakuranga team stood out “because there were so many brilliant recommendations for them”.

With more than 25,000 New Zealanders working in the security industry, nearly double the number of police, private security has always had a critical role in keeping Kiwis and their property safe, especially during times of crisis, said Morrison.

The campaign calls on the public, business owners and other essential services who have used private guards to nominate individuals who have gone above and beyond or simply have been a reassuring, kind and considerate face during these testing times.

A web form has been established on the NZSA website where nominations can be made including a place to upload photos or videos of guards doing a great job.

The NZSA aims to award one guard a week with a special trophy in the lead up to the annual New Zealand Security Awards nomination period starting in late May. The awards are not just for member companies – anyone with a CoA (security licence) can be nominated.

The form can be found at https://security.org.nz/covid-19-guardian-award-nomination-form/

Grassroots sport: Is club rugby on the rocks?

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Grassroots sport: Is club rugby on the rocks?

By Nathan Limm

Former All Blacks player Pita Alatini spoke with second-year AUT journalism student Nathan Limm on the future of New Zealand Rugby Clubs amidst the uncertainty of a global pandemic. 

According to World Rugby, there are 520 clubs in New Zealand, boasting more than 100,000 players. Not one of those players is representing their union.

Covid-19 has seen perhaps the most drastic action by a New Zealand government in our nation’s history. But while lockdown is keeping the coronavirus in check, its impact on sports may be felt long into the future.

Pita Alatini, who played 17 tests for the All Blacks between 1999 and 2001, is the director of rugby at Pakuranga United Rugby Club. Pakuranga United is one of the largest clubs in New Zealand, registering around 500 junior players and just under 200 senior players at the beginning of the 2020 season. Alatini says the lockdown equation is simple: no rugby means no club.

Director of rugby Pita Alatini. Photo www.Photosport.co.nz

“We’re really digging into the unknown at the moment and that’s quite scary…Not having Tuesday or Thursday training as well as Saturday gatherings is huge, especially for us as staff. None of those functions happening means there’s no money for the club.”

Just like small businesses, clubs require money to pay staff and maintain their fields. But while Covid-19 restrictions continue to postpone the 2020 season, clubs are left with a timer on their future.

While the fields remain empty, so do the stands, the bar and the restaurant. Clubs are built on social exchange. The casual beer with friends after a match is integral to the survival of the entire facility. Alatini says the best way for Pakuranga United to maintain a sense of community and interaction with their players is through social media.

“[For coaches], it’s keeping in touch with their players and seeing if they’re all good in that mental and social space. There are definitely platforms where guys can still get together – albeit apart – to have a little social aspect and keep in touch.”

This connection is not only important for the club’s current player base; a relationship with schools is also of vital significance. The reality of senior club rugby is that it is ever-dependent on the influx of leaving schoolboy players. However, with the entire season in doubt, roughly 25,000 high school rugby players will be affected.

The magnitude of 1st XV rugby in New Zealand is not to be underestimated. Modern-day stars such as Damien McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown and Reiko Ioane were all on display in the Land Rover 1st XV competition just a few short years ago.

Missing out on a year’s worth of future All Blacks, Super Rugby and club stars will likely harm the stream of high-quality players into New Zealand Rugby’s development system.

Even without Covid-19, rugby is a declining sport in New Zealand. According to a School Sport New Zealand Census, rugby union has seen a 12 per cent decline in its player base between 2014 and 2018, with a 6 per cent drop in 2018 alone.

For rugby clubs, the few players who continue with rugby after high school are crucial.

Pakuranga United is in the unique position of having seven east Auckland high schools in-zone for the club.

However, if restrictions continue to plague the duration of the season, maintaining relationships with school teams will be a difficult task.

Alatini, who regularly visits schools and works with school rugby coaches, thinks the best way to stay in the minds of schoolboy players is through cyberspace.

“For us, it’s diving in and finding out how we can remain in contact by doing some stuff online with them, keeping them engaged. Coming out of it [the Covid-19 crisis], you’d be hoping by then they’ll be firing and ready to go.”

Ultimately, the survival of all clubs in New Zealand will be dependent on their capacity to engage with their players and fan bases. Alatini says if they are unable to connect with their people, the club will cease to exist.

Nevertheless, he is confident in the ability of Pakuranga United to remain relevant and present in local minds.

“There’s still strong support within the community which will always be there. It’s just a matter of always touching base to keep those guys engaged so they help get these members back.”

Clubs will start to reopen as New Zealand slowly conquers Covid-19, but the true impact of the crisis is yet to be felt. The sporting community has no choice but to hunker down and ride this wave of uncertainty.

Budget 2020 paints a bleak picture-Simeon Brown

Times Team
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Budget 2020 paints a bleak picture-Simeon Brown

Nothing in recent history has brought about such global disruption as the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kiwis have sacrificed much through the restrictions of the lockdown but our efforts have worked well so far and now it’s time to start thinking about what comes next.

This year’s Budget reveals some of the bleakest figures New Zealand has seen in decades.

Debt will balloon to $200 billion, around $80,000 more per household, while unemployment is set to skyrocket by as many as 160,000 people, to 9.8 per cent this September as 1000 people each week join the unemployment benefit.

Real GDP is projected to drop by 4.6 per cent this year – these are truly sobering figures.

Despite this, we should be confident that New Zealand will bounce back. Kiwis will make new plans and find new opportunities.

The main question is how do we avoid making the economic disaster worse than it needs to be and how can we get back on track?

National would reduce the damage by opening up more of the economy as quickly as we safely can.

Even now in Level 2 we should be doing everything we can to open up the Trans-Tasman bubble and getting international students through quarantine to sustain our international education industry.

The Budget includes a large number of big-spending items but very little detail or accountability for what it was to be spent on.

To reduce job losses, we need to get some cash into the hands of struggling small businesses, to help with costs such as commercial rent.

Incredibly, given the scale of spending in the Budget, we saw nothing beyond the welcome extension of the wage subsidy to businesses which are suffering the most.

National would support struggling businesses by allowing them to claim a portion of last year’s GST back to support them with cash flow through these tough times.

Thankfully, we appear to have got through the worst of the health crisis – and with good testing and tracing we should stay there.

What’s needed now is a strong team to get New Zealand’s economy moving again, and National has the plan to get it done.

 

Simeon Brown

MP for Pakuranga

 

Pakuranga eyewitnesses report fireball ‘crashing’ into Tamaki River

Times Team
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Pakuranga eyewitnesses report fireball ‘crashing’ into Tamaki River

Several Pakuranga residents reported seeing a bright flash of light or a “fireball” above the Tamaki River in the vicinity of Waipuna Bridge at around 6:47 pm on Monday 25 May. According to some eyewitnesses, the object was alleged to have then crashed into the water.

Reports of a “bright light” and “an explosion” flooded the east Auckland grapevine page as local people recounted what they had seen. Many speculated a meteor, a rocket from nearby Rocket Lab, or even a flare was responsible.

Corinne Hill, whose property on Pakuranga Rd backs on to the river saw “A Bright orange-red (object) about the size of 3 full moons joined together. It (sic) was travelling at speed over the water till it appeared to hit the water and disappeared.”

According to Hill, the object made no sound, and by the time she “went to get binoculars out” it had gone.

Waipuna bridge: did a meteorite crash land into the Tamaki River? Photo: credit BBR Contech

Ms Hill also stated the object “It appeared to grow in size as it travelled, so my initial thought was it looked like a ball of fire but then I got wondering what it was. There were cars on the bridge at the time commuting, so I was thinking one of them may have also seen it.”

Police, The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and Stardome observatory were approached for comment.

Police spokesperson advised they had received no reports on the incident, and police had not attended any incident in relation. A CAA media contact confirmed they had also not received any report of anomalous phenomena in the area.

Grant Christie is an astronomer at Stardome Observatory, the Times asked him for theories on what the object may have been.

When it was suggested by the Times the flash may have come from a meteor, Christie acknowledged the circumstances needed for a meteor to be  ‘glowing’ as described to enter the earth’s atmosphere, would be remote.

“An object glowing at that level would have to hit the atmosphere travelling at terminal velocity” said Christie.

He added “Meteorites start burning up at around 100km out of the atmosphere, and continue burning up until they are dust.”

Waipuna Bridge as viewed north-east from Corinne Hill’s yard just after the glowing ball was seen. Photo Corinne Hill

Christie said it would be an extremely rare event to see something (a meteorite) at night, and velocity and angle to the ground of the projectile would have to be determined before the meteorite hypothesis could be upheld. A meteor that big would make a “pretty big splash” he said, making it at odds with the lack of sound reported by Hill.

To produce a glow of the magnitude described, the object would have to be significantly bigger than the grapefruit-sized space rock that crashed through the roof of a resident’s property in Ellerslie in 2004.

On that occasion, wealthy collectors clamoured to own a celestial bolide. The rock fetched $60,000 and is now on display in a museum. “There is a big collectors market for space matter” says Christie, and he speculated that the value of the object now known as ‘The Waipuna glow’, if real, would be considerably higher.

Did you see anything? Send any dash-cam or security camera footage to jim@times.co.nz 

No new cases of Covid-19; total stays at 1504

Staff
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No new cases of Covid-19; total stays at 1504
Photo AHG NZ

Ministry of Health Covid-19 update

May 26, 2020

Once again, there are no new cases of Covid-19 to report in New Zealand today.

Our total number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 remains at 1154, which is the number we report to the World Health Organization.

Our combined total of confirmed and probable cases remains at 1504.

Today we can report five new recovered cases taking the total to 1461. Only 22 cases remain active.

There are no additional deaths to report.

There remains one person receiving hospital-level care for Covid-19; they are in Middlemore and are not in ICU.

Yesterday our laboratories completed 1841 tests, bringing the total number of tests completed to date to 263,156.

NZ Covid Tracer app
The NZ Covid Tracer app has now recorded 405,000 registrations – that’s an increase of 25,000 since this time yesterday.

We continue to encourage as many people as possible to download the app – it will help us identify, trace, test and isolate any cases of Covid-19.

We also recognise the work being done by businesses to get their unique QR codes up and running, with 15,200 posters having been created as of this morning.

Level 2
We’re continuing to make good progress in Level 2.

Our case numbers are low, our recovery rate is excellent and we have only one person still requiring hospital level care.

Hard work by all New Zealanders to reach this point meant that yesterday the Government was able to make an announcement around allowing gatherings of up to 100 people, while still remaining in Level 2.

This will mean that from Friday, many of the activities people have been looking forward to can resume, such as church and faith-based gatherings, family events and weddings.

With the exception of significant events such as large sporting fixtures, concerts and the like, it means most normal activities are now possible in some form under Level 2.

Some people are asking how quickly we can move onto Level 1 and whether we should be aiming to get there sooner.

It’s important to remember that New Zealand is already moving to relax restrictions more quickly than other countries.

We’re acutely aware that Level 2 restrictions do still impact on some businesses and on people’s lives and we want to be careful to get the balance right.

We are working hard already on the detail of what Alert Level 1 will look like so that New Zealand can move there as soon as it is safe to do so.

Vaccine strategy
New Zealand’s Covid-19 vaccine strategy aims to secure a vaccine that is safe and effective, at the earliest possible time.

The development of a safe and effective vaccine is a crucial tool in the control of Covid-19 world-wide.

This strategy will ensure New Zealand goes all out to advance discovery, development, testing and supply of a vaccine.

It will enable our scientists to contribute to global research efforts and ensure New Zealand has detailed knowledge of international developments.

More information on the Covid-19 vaccine strategy announced today can be found on the MBIE website.

Quarantine and managed isolation
Last weekend saw the arrival of the 10,000th passenger into managed isolation or quarantine.

So far around 8000 people have completed their stay in Auckland or Christchurch and have returned home.

Their commitment to managed isolation is a commitment which will continue to support the health and safety of all New Zealanders.

The border is our riskiest area and is a critical part of the Government’s strategy to eliminate Covid-19, especially now that domestic cases are at such low levels.

We don’t want to put the good progress we’ve made in jeopardy and we know international arrivals are a potential source of new cases.

We’ve been very mindful of the advice in the recent High Court ruling and need to consider all requests for an exemption very carefully.

We do this as swiftly as possible.

While a number of exemptions have now been granted, every exemption creates greater risk.  So exemptions are still only granted in exceptional circumstances.

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