For many of our Pasifika community, our 'family bubble' contains multiple generations - in some cases up to 4 generations living under the same roof.  Dr Siautu Alefaio, Associate Dean Pacific | College of Humanities & Social Sciences at Massey University gives us a few suggestions on staying safe AND sane during the Covid19 lock down.  

Dr Siautu Alefaio

As one who lives in a multi-generational family care household (myself, hubby, my 79 yr old father, my younger brother, his wife and four children 9, 8, 6 and 1 yrs), the bubble visual explanation caused a bit of a stir in our larger than the average kiwi-family bubble. A lot of Pacific families have multiple-bubbles under one roof, so just like our family we need to take a bit of time to think, talanoa (talk-story) and adjust some of the ways we will be living. For some families this will be even more difficult if one or more members of the family are still working as part of ‘essential services’.…more

Daniel broke down on his last breakfast show to the nation when he talked about being away as a journalist while his brother was critically ill but he is now devastated that his brother has passed and he cant travel because of Covid 19

"We are so blessed to have family, because its everything" in this interview with fellow Samoan tv presenter Pippa wetzell Daniel talks about his growing up with his grandma and his family background in NZ after coming from Samoa.

How do you live in self isolation with a big Island family?

Young Samoan, Sapati Apa shoes us how she is quarantined in a multi generational family at home.

We're now into the 2nd week since the World Health Organisation upgraded the Coronavirus to a Pandemic.  We will be updating this page with Pacific Islands updates for our community here in New Zealand and around the Pacific.  To catch up on updates from Week 1 click here 

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FRIDAY 27th MARCH 

NEW ZEALAND - #BREAKING 85 new cases of Covid-19. 76 new confirmed, 9 probable cases. 8 are in hospital. Six stable, two less stable, one of whom is in intensive care. 37 people have recovered from Covid-19.  Dr Ashley Bloomfield says it will take at least 10 days before we will see the number of cases drop.  Those who have recovered from Covid-19 are signed off by a health official after being symptom free for a 14-day period. The increase in cases has put pressure on contact tracing.

- The ICU patient is in Nelson Hospital and has been in there for some days, but their health has deteriorated over the past 24 hours.…more

This week the New Zealand government announced a $12.1 Billion package to combat the effect of COVID-19 on our economy. This package includes financial support for both families and businesses affected. 

If you find yourself in need of some assistance because of the coronavirus, there may be some help available to you whether its a Wage Subsidy or Leave Payment for Self Isolation.  We've broken it down for you so you can see how the governments financial support can assist in the following ways -

* WAGE SUBSIDIES *

For affected businesses in all sectors and regions and is available now.  

Who can get it? 

If you're an employer, contractor, sole trader or self-employed, you may qualify to get the COVID-19 wage subsidy.…more

Pasifika was cancelled earlier today but it's been awesome to see our Pasifika community rally around the Pasifika vendors affected with smaller Pop Up venues announced around Auckland.

Here's where you can get your Pasifika fix AND support your Pacific Island small business and creative operators/vendors.

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PACIFIC BUSINESS HUB MANUKAU 

More info on their event here.  We will update with more of the vendors featured as they come to hand so check back regularly.…more

With Coronavirus / Covid-19 now being upgraded to a Pandemic we will be updating this page with Pacific Islands updates for our community here in New Zealand and around the Pacific.

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SATURDAY 21st MARCH 

NEW ZEALAND 

- 52 confirmed cases in New Zealand.  13 new cases and 4 probable cases from last night.  Ministry of Health cannot rule out community transmission.  Full story here 

- Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced a four level alert system for COVID-19 and has asked all people to stop non-essential travel.

These guidelines are set out below:

She said New Zealand was currently on level two, but this could change at any time - and it could change quickly. Level two "means the risk of community transmission is growing."

People over 70 years old or with a compromised immunity are asked to stay at home.  She says while we are at alert level two - schools will stay open unless there is a confirmed case. This will change as the alert system moves up the chain.…more