Kia ora koutou,

I hope you are safe and well as we begin a new week and month.

This email summarises today’s media conference which brings better news for Auckland and the Waikato.

• Restrictions in the Waikato will ease from 11.59pm tomorrow (Tuesday) with a step down to Alert Level 3, Step 2.
• In principle, there will be a move for Auckland to Alert Level 3, Step 2 from Tuesday 9th November at 11.59pm.

As this is the first time we have moved into a step 2 setting, we are connecting with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) to clarify the changes for sport and recreation, covering the expansion to gatherings sizes and what this means for public facilities.

We aim to be back in touch as quickly as possible once the changes to the Alert Level Order are confirmed. If you are scenario planning, please be sure to check the final guidance before changing your operational plans.

As always, if you have any questions, please contact your Partnership Manager or send COVID-19 related queries to this address: Covid19response@sportnz.org.nz.

Ngā mihi and thank you for your ongoing patience,

Raelene Castle

Minister for Emergency Management Kiri Allan is challenging more people to join the almost 650,000 who have already signed up to take part in the nation-wide ShakeOut drill, happening tomorrow.

Don’t freak out, ShakeOut

Government commits $1.3 billion over four years to support countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change
At least 50 percent of funding will go to the Pacific as it adapts to the impacts of climate change
The increase means New Zealand now meets its fair share of global climate funding
The Government is making a four-fold increase in the support it provides to countries most vulnerable to the climate emergency, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Climate Change Minister James Shaw announced today in the lead up to the United Nations climate conference in Glasgow.
Read More >

Kuīni is a new digital tool for young wāhine who want to quit smoking. She is a chatbot with a personality, face and attitude that is all about young, dynamic and diverse Māori women.

“That word Kuīni is so special to me,” says Ngā Puhi/Samoa artist Coco Solid AKA (Jessica Hansell) who led the concept of Kuīni with Te Hiringa Hauora | Health Promotion Agency.

“It flips what we, as Māori women, are constantly told about ourselves – which is that we’re the bottom rung of the ladder. We’re saying ‘you are the centre, you define what this is, the vernacular is yours, the world view is yours’.”
Read More >

Let’s get back to doing the things we love. We need your help getting all of Aotearoa vaccinated this Saturday 16 October.

Super Saturday