As we got news of a global pandemic and its massive risks to Aotearoa, Ngāti Runaui began gathering information and putting in place plans to ensure the iwi was able to respond effectively.
When it became clear that COVID-19 had arrived on our shores, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer established a Ngāti Ruanui Pandemic Response Group and put in place a response plan that was refined as new information came through to ensure agile and quick responses. The key focus was to help lead people through the pandemic and protect our w’akapapa, while communicating with w’ānau and doing everything possible to support them through lockdown.