Introduction

This report provides insights into the significant and comprehensive response of Tākiri Mai Te Ata - Kokiri Hauora in responding to community needs during the COVID -19 pandemic in Aotearoa New Zealand. It covers operational data collected between March through to June and August (last Sanitation Pack deliveries) 2020, and there is a follow up analysis which focuses on the time that New Zealand was in Alert Levels 4 and 3 (the “lockdown”).

The New Zealand Government facilitated a strongly evidence-informed response to the pandemic by declaring restrictions on social and occupational activity with a graded response as indicated by alert levels. Alert levels 4 and 3 placed significant restrictions on the movements and social and physical interactions of residents to halt the spread of the virus. A summary of what was possible at the different alert levels is available here https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-system/. The pandemic and the resulting alert levels meant that health and social service providers had to change their response to the community, and in many instances, increase the level of support they provided.