Covid Response Plan

The Hikurangi Covid Response team was formed by Ben Gray in collaboration with the Hikurangi Business Association in 2021 to support locals isolating with covid, by providing food and medical supplies delivered to their doorstep.

There was a number of volunteers that dedicated their time to supporting those struggling with covid. Locals came together to cover the following tasks:
sort through bulk food donations;
pack food packs according to family size and dietary needs;
collections of prescriptions from pharmacies;
purchase of groceries from supermarket;
purchase of hydration support and medical monitoring products from pharmacies;
monitoring a local 0800 helpline and connecting medical concerns with medical professionals;
sharing information on government updates and the latest medical advice;
providing testing supplies;
and supporting with vaccination opportunities.

Local health providers including Ngati Hine Health and Tai Timu Tai Pari donated $25,000 over the two year period the group operated, to cover the cost of purchasing grocery and medical supplies for those isolating. A comprehensive online based assessment system was in place through Ngati Hine Health which monitored and processed incoming calls for help which were then distributed to the Hikurangi Covid Response team for actioning.

Throughout the duration of the project we had 11 individual volunteers covering the on-the-ground work and deliveries, 5 community groups also donating time, helping hands, and financial donations, and together the programme helped over 150 households in their covid recovery, which equated to approximately 600 people.

As the lockdowns, covid testing and isolating requirements, and management of the covid19 outbreak slowed down the programme was no longer needed and closed down late 2023.