Coco News

How a Pasifika family of 8 survived after contracting Covid-19

When three members of the Havea family of Christchurch tested positive for Covid-19, they had to rely on their strong faith and their love for each other to get them through the challenging times.

Kilifi Havea, 42, his wife Seneti, 47, and their daughter Frances, 19, caught the contagious virus and were forced to quarantine themselves in the large family home they share with their five other children, whose ages range from 9 to 18.

“There was so much going on in my mind. It was a very hard time,” says Kilifi.

His wife contracted the virus while working as a senior carer at the Rosewood Rest Home in Christchurch, one of the worst clusters in the country. To date, eleven residents staying at the rest home have died from Covid-19.

Seneti tested positive at the beginning of April and soon after Kilifi and Frances also caught the virus. Once they were confirmed the rest of the family were immediately tested for the virus.…more


Coco News

CORONAVIRUS WEEK 7 - COVID19 PACIFIC UPDATE

The CoconetTV ongoing Pacific Islands updates for our community in Aotearoa and the Pacific region.

To catch up on previous updates click here

End of week round up - 

NEW ZEALAND - Director of Public health Dr Caroline McElnay updated today and said that we have 1252 cases that are reported as having recovered from Covid-19, which is an increase of 11 from yesterday, and so 85 percent of all our confirmed and probable cases are considered to be recovered.

She said there are now a total of 1132 confirmed cases and 347 probable cases.  There are still 16 significant clusters, but Dr McElnay said one cluster has not seen new cases in 28 days and will be closed.  Today is the 13th day in a row that the increase in Covid-19 cases had been in single digits. The death toll stands at 19.…more


Coco News

Pacific Mamas in Lockdown Pt3

Pacific mamas in lockdown, the Island soap opera continues as a Cook Islands dance group end up being in one big bubble for NZ Alert Level 4 and Alert Level 3. What does Alert Level 3 mean for these Islanders?

Who will stand in the McDonald's line?  who will get to hook up with bae?  will there be housie?  who will have a shower?  all this and more in this weeks episode of #IslandMamasBubble

.

.

CREDITS:

Shot, Directed, Edited and acted by Rongomai

Additional Editing and Graphics by Adrian Mcbirney 

FB: Ron-Go

YouTube: Rongomai Taiapa-Aporo

Insta: rongo___


Coco News

ALERT LEVEL 3 - The Breakdown

Tonight at 11.59pm New Zealand will move to Alert Level 3 and while some people have been describing it on social media as Level 4 but with KFC - we break down some of the main changes for you below.

BUBBLES - You can open up your bubble slightly 'to reconnect with close family/whanau or bring in care givers OR support isolated people"

YES  to a relative or loved one who lives locally and is alone OR you are returning to work and need childcare or care for those already in your bubble - someone can join to help.

NO   to inviting your extended aiga over for to'ona'i, a reunion, celebrate a birthday, have garage drinks or a kava sesh etc ...

Small bubble extensions for one or two people if necessary.more


Coco News

1200 Pacific Family Violence Workers to Be Mobilised During Covid-19

A campaign to tackle increased family violence in New Zealand’s Pacific communities during Covid-19 was launched today.

The Nga Vaka o Kāiga Tapu, initiative led by The Cause Collective, will see 1200 family violence workers and community advocates mobilised throughout the country to help Pacific communities prevent violence. The campaign also includes radio programmes in eight different languages and using online forums to raise awareness about where Pacific families can get help and support during this time for family violence.

Data from NZ Police shows that the number of family violence incidents has increased since the nation went into lockdown late last month.

“Pacific families are particularly vulnerable during the Coronavirus pandemic with Pacific peoples already being disproportionately represented in intimate partner violence and child abuse statistics,” says The Cause Collective CEO, Rachel Enosa.…more


Coco News

Info on Public Transportation once we move to Alert Level 3

Auckland Council Board Member Nick Bakulich has shared this info on Public Transportation once we move to Alert Level 3 - 

What to do when you travel on buses:

Cash purchases will not be accepted on board during Alert Level 3. You must use a HOP card.
You must use the rear door to get on and off buses.
Tag on and off using the HOP card reader inside the rear door.
If you use a wheelchair or mobility device or require driver assistance, you can still get on and off using the front door.
Customers will not be able to use the first row of seats behind the bus driver.
Please observe the signs on board which indicate two-metre distancing.
Once a bus is at capacity, drivers will only drop customers off.

Cleaning of public transport

The safety of our workers and customers is a priority, so we’re making sure all public transport is cleaned regularly. We’ve also stepped up our regime to include antimicrobial cleaning.…more


Coco News

Grandmother’s resilience in the face of delayed cancer treatments during Covid-19 Crisis

Samoan grandmother Christina Toleafoa, who is currently being treated for cancer, is like many in the community who is concerned with the threat of Covid-19.

But she has an extra reason to be worried because the crisis has affected her regular chemotherapy sessions. The extra precautions taken to minimise the spread of Covid-19 has meant her usual treatments are being postponed and her regular body scan, which tracks the progression of the cancer, is frequently delayed.

“It’s something that’s been on my mind since this all started. I’m very concerned,” she says.

The Ministry of Health has advised patients that they will continue to receive the same level of care nationwide during the Covid-19. But Christina says regular contact with her specialists have decreased and her consultations are now over the phone, as opposed to face-to-face.

Christina, whose mother died from breast cancer was officially diagnosed of the same condition herself in 2016 and her journey against cancer started with oral treatment.…more


Coco News

Living Alone During Lockdown

“I’m not lonely but I am alone,” says JaeD Victor, describing what it’s like during the Covid-19 lockdown period while living alone.

The Samoan broadcaster has been living by himself for ten years so he’s use to having his own space. But he says the self-isolation period during the Covid-19 crisis has been different, mainly because his public movements are limited and he’s forced to work from home.

“I thought I was going to enjoy working from home but the unfortunate thing is when you’re home you have so many distractions. You stop work and go and have a nap or go into the kitchen. What I’ve come to realize under these circumstances is how self sufficient you become when you live by yourself.”

The 55-year-old has type 2 diabetes and knows the importance of the level 4 self isolation period. He says experiencing it alone can be challenging.

“I don’t have any visitors and because you live alone during these restrictions, you can sometimes feel your friends and family don’t realize you’re here.…more


Coco News

A PACIFIC CHILD’S PERSPECTIVE AND WAYS THEY CAN COPE DURING THE COVID 19 CRISIS

For three Fijian youngsters - Zion, Israel and Jeda’iah - there’s been a silver lining during the Covid-19 lock down period - no school.

Although the response from the Pickering-Thakathaka siblings maybe typical for a child, they are all aware of the importance of the actions taken by the New Zealand Government.

“We understand why this is happening,” says 12-year-old Israel “It’s to keep us safe and to stop us from getting the disease and stop others from spreading it.”

The siblings live in a three-bedroom Auckland home with their 11-month-old brother, their parents, an Aunt and their grandmother. The last four weeks have been a routine of prayer, home schooling and daily chores. They’ve even managed to paint a fence and tidy up their grandmother’s garden. Their situation is similar to many other Pacific children who share a home with their extended family. The siblings say they only need to look at their little brother and their grandmother to fully understand the people they’re trying to protect.

“I do feel frustrated at times,” says 15-year-old Zion.…more


Coco News

Do's and Don'ts in your Island Bubble

Mama Secretary goes through the Alert Level 3 conditions with the Kuki Airani dancers she's got on lockdown with her.

.

Watch Mamas Lockdown here 

.

CREDITS:

Shot, Directed, Edited and acted by Rongomai

FB: Ron-Go

YouTube: Rongomai Taiapa-Aporo

Insta: rongo___