Malō e lelei, my name is Latai and I’m nine years old. I am Tongan and I go to St Anne’s Catholic School in Manurewa. This is my story of what Lockdown was like for me.
I am an only child and I have two bubbles. I stay with my mum on school days and I go to my dad’s house on weekends and holidays. I wasn’t sure what to expect during this Lockdown but I was looking forward to spending time at home with my mum and my baby cousin.
A group of academics caused some controversy when they proposed a Covid 19 Plan B to the current lockdown approach. I have much respect for these academics who have extensive knowledge and expertise in their field of work, notably not in the field of infectious diseases. In their rather mild defence, the science they reference has some merit, but was devoid of important context.
Akaue’anga (Duty of Care) – Every Turanga, Pirianga has Akaue’anga. This is the acknowledgement and fulfilment of individual and collective duties. This is a “Duty of Care” that is tied to each role we have. As a son, my brothers turanga means he often checks up on my parents, making sure they’re watching what they eat or exercising in the bubble and in return they ask him how his day has been especially after a shift as an essential worker.
It’s day seven of lock down in New Zealand and after the rush of last week’s announcements and the pace in which everything has happened, I’m still trying to make sense of what it means to be in lockdown and why, even with everything that I know – I still feel a bit anxious.
Well, as we do our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19, I’m reminded that it’s usually during times of disasters or public health outbreaks, we see how systems that were created with the intention to provide efficiency can instead create unintended inefficiencies.
The inaugural 2019 Moana Research Seminar series will engage Pacific parents, community leaders and professionals in a conversation about government strategy and issues impacting Pacific children and families says Moana Research Executive Director Dr Teuila Percival.
Women’s Health and Newborn Annual Report. Download here.
Travelling recently through Southeast Asia and East Africa, I have been both amazed and appalled by how big data and other digital innovations are changing people’s lives—or not.
Sāmoan families across the country will be getting ready this morning for the annual White Sunday service. Lotu Tamaiti – Children’s Service or Children’s Day, if you like.
A new strategic research project with the aim of improving sleep for pepi and their whanau has been awarded $1.7 million over three years by A Better Start National Science Challenge. As well as improving sleep, this project also aims to reduce excessive weight gain in young tamariki (0-2 years), and to improve wellbeing among tamariki and their caregivers.
