Te Waharoa

Te Waharoa is a series of panel discussions that provides a gateway into Te Ao Maori.

On Tuesday we released Te Waharoa - Manaakitanga. 
Manaakitanga is a value used by many organisations in the tourism sector, but what does it really mean?What does it look like, feel like, and smell like?

Check out our lineup today on Te Waharoa - Pūrākau as we discover the importance of storytelling in te Ao Māori and how it shapes our world view.

We'll release our final video for this series tomorrow afternoon on Ngā Uara Māori - Māori values on our Facebook page.

Resurgence Support Payment (administered by IR)

The Resurgence Support Payment's (RSP) purpose is to help pay rent and other fixed costs.

Apply for RSP here. Businesses all over New Zealand can apply for the RSP given there is an Alert Level increase to level 2 or higher.

To be eligible, you must prove that your business has experienced at least a 30% drop in revenue or a 30% decline in capital-raising ability over a 7-day period, due to the increased COVID-19 alert level.

The payment will stay as $1,500 plus $400 per full-time equivalent (FTE) employee up to a maximum of 50 FTEs, or four times the actual revenue decline experienced by the applicant, whichever is less.

Wage Subsidy #2 and #3
(administered by MSD)

Applications for the second COVID-19 Wage Subsidy August 2021, known as Wage Subsidy August 2021 #2, close at 11.59pm this Thursday 16 September 2021.

Even if you didn’t apply for the first payment, you can apply for Wage Subsidy #2 if you meet the eligibility criteria. If you’ve applied for the previous COVID-19 Wage Subsidy August 2021, you need to wait two weeks between applications before you apply Wage Subsidy August 2021 #2. If you apply earlier than this, your application for the new subsidy will be declined.

For a reminder of how MSD programmes can assist you as an employee or employer, click here.

Kia Rere app!

Araraurangi (Air New Zealand) is inviting Kiwis to join them in helping the Māori language fly, by sharing its Kia Rere app with the public, to coincide with te Wiki o te Reo Māori.

The app, created by Air New Zealand in partnership with NZ Māori Tourism and produced by Kiwa Digital,  has a range of interactive features including audio learning and the ability to create a mihimihi and share the user's journey in te Reo Māori.
Download the app from Apple
Download the app from Google Play

Is your business accessible?

Firstport, the national information website for disabled people in New Zealand, has created a directory listing venues and activities that provide accessible features such as wheelchair access, mobility parking, accessible toilets and sensory sessions.

1 in 4 New Zealanders live with some kind of disability. The Accessible Day Out library allows disabled customers to find places to visit that cater to their unique needs.

If you would like to list your business, click here for more information.

Latest COVID-19 updates from Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet

• It is critical a high level of testing is maintained in Auckland, in order to detect any final cases of COVID-19 that might be in the community.  Priority is now on testing as many people as possible, over coming days from the following suburbs: Massey, Māngere, Favona, Papatoetoe, Ōtara and Manurewa.
• Nasal swabbing is available  nationwide for permitted workers crossing Alert Level boundaries.  Testing locations are available on the Healthpoint website. 
• Saliva testing is also available for border workers from 14 September and is self-administered and available 24/7.  Read more here.
• Middlemore Hospital’s emergency department is open and safe to attend.  Strict protocols in line with COVID-19 guidelines are in place to ensure all patients and staff at Middlemore Hospital remain safe. People should not delay seeking urgent medical care.
• For more information on all of these key points, visit Unite Against COVID-19 and the resources listed at the bottom of this email.

Evidence required for workers crossing Alert Level boundaries

• From 11:59pm on Thursday 16 September all workers who need to cross Alert Level boundaries to work at a permitted business must show evidence that they have had a COVID-19 test in the previous seven days, whether they have symptoms or not. This includes workers who regularly travel across boundaries to respond to emergency calls.
• Police will also be checking for compliance and turning away people who do not have evidence of a test.
• Evidence of a test includes a text message at the time of test or advising of the result of the test. If these texts aren’t available, a worker will need a paper-based confirmation proof of test from either the Community Testing Centre or GP where they got tested.
• There is no cost for essential workers to get a test for this purpose.

Vaccine rollout for Māori - stats and insights

• Vaccination rates among Māori above the age of 55 are comparable to the rates for other ethnicities but are less for younger age bands.
• As of 11.59pm 13 September, 269,506 Māori have at least one dose (47 percent of the Māori population) and 129,609 (23 percent) are fully vaccinated.
• Anyone who is eligible should book a vaccine, and if anyone wants to go to a Māori provider and use that whānau-based approach, click here to find your local Māori vaccination centre.

Upcoming events:

"Boost with Facebook": Backing Māori Business – Thursday 16 September, 7pm.
Whāriki, the Māori Business Network of Tāmaki Makaurau, is hosting a Boost with Facebook Te Wai Pounamu Small Business panel to hear how small businesses are embracing Facebook and Instagram to adapt, connect and thrive. This will be aired on a Facebook Live stream. Joining the panel is Anton Matthew from FUSH, Maureen Taane from HAPA, and Kale Panoho from K&J Growth. Businesses from all over the motu are welcome.

At 1:30pm on Thursday, Whāriki will also be hosting a workshop on Facebook skills. If you haven't signed up for a 'Boost with Facebook" event before, click here to register. 
If you have attended previously, click here.

Noho ora mai,

NZ Māori Tourism.