COVID-19 Vaccine Information Hui
Are you still undecided about whether to get the vaccine? Do you have concerns or questions you need answers to?
Read articleLatest Update: COVID-19 Vaccine Information Hui Read More
This website’s purpose is to advise, update and help all BOP and Lakes communities through this response period.
It is a place you can find information that is relevant to the Bay of Plenty and Lakes District Health Boards.
ANY QUESTIONS? If you have any questions for either the Lakes or BOP DHB areas, please send them to: bopcovid19@bopdhb.govt.nz
Please always refer to covid19.govt.nz for everything you need to know about COVID-19.
Got symptoms?
Call your GP before you visit hospital. Or call Healthline on 0800 358 5453.
We report cases at a regional level and for privacy reasons do not release COVID-19 patient numbers in small populations. Every one of us needs to take precautions and be vigilant, irrespective of whether there have been cases in your locality.
Updated as at 4.00pm on 5/3/2021
*'Current status' These confirmed and probable numbers are updated on this page after the Ministry of Health daily public update (early-mid afternoon). See the Ministry of Health website for more information on COVID-19 cases in New Zealand.
*Western Bay of Plenty = Tauranga City and Western Bay of Plenty District combined.
*Eastern Bay of Plenty = Whakatāne District, Kawerau District and Ōpōtiki District combined.
Are you still undecided about whether to get the vaccine? Do you have concerns or questions you need answers to?
Read articleThe Te Moana a Toi (Bay of Plenty) vaccination programme kicked off today with 28 workers at the Port of Tauranga receiving the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.
Read articleNationwide Alert Level changes from 6am on Sunday, 28 February.
Read articleCurrent status
Updated as at 4.00pm on 5/3/2021
Number of confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in:
See the Ministry of Health website for more information on COVID-19 cases in New Zealand.
Number of confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in:
These numbers are updated on this page after the Ministry of Health daily public update (early-mid afternoon).
* Western Bay of Plenty = Tauranga City and Western Bay of Plenty District combined
* Eastern Bay of Plenty = Whakatāne District, Kawerau District and Ōpōtiki District combined
The Ministry of Health reports by District Health Board area. BOPHEALTH covers Bay of Plenty District Health Board and Lakes District Health Board areas – view the map here.
The Bay of Plenty District Health Board area includes:
The Lakes District Health Board area includes:
The DHBs are only able to report on numbers of cases within each of these geographic zones.
If you are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms;
Please contact Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or your doctor who will advise whether you need to be tested.
52B King Street (Portacom outside Med Central, behind Adamson’s pharmacy, entry via James Street)
Monday: 3.30pm-6.30pm
Tuesday: 3.30pm-6.30pm
Wednesday: 3.30pm-6.30pm
Thursday: 3.30pm-6.30pm
Friday: 3.30pm-6.30pm
Saturday: 10am-4pm
Testing centres are located at:
Kahukura Rugby Sports Club, 1475 Pukuatua Street, Rotorua
79 Miro Street, Taupō.
Opening hours 1-7 March:
Monday: 9am-3pm
Tuesday: 9am-3pm
Wednesday: 9am-3pm
Thursday: 9am to 3pm
Friday: 9am-3pm
Saturday: 9am-3pm
Sunday: 9am-3pm
The following Q and As respond to a number of commonly-asked questions relating to implementation of the requirements at the Port of Tauranga under the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Required Testing) Order 2020 and the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Maritime Border) Order (No 2) 2020.
Why is there testing at the Port of Tauranga?
We are currently testing those who work at the border, including those who work at ports and at Managed Isolation and Quarantine Facilities. This is part of the government’s rapid response to the current outbreak, to help detect any cases and to protect workers, their families, whānau and communities.
Is everyone required to be tested?
Workers in certain higher-risk occupations at the Ports of Auckland, the Port of Tauranga and Auckland International Airport will be tested once every 14 days.
Who is considered high risk?
Higher risk workers are:
We understand that a testing method that is less invasive than the current nasopharyngeal swab will shortly be available. Will it be available to border workers required to undergo frequent re-testing, and from when?
The Ministry of Health’s Technical Advisory Committee has confirmed that for border workers being regularly tested (weekly or fortnightly) who struggle to tolerate the current nasopharyngeal swab, a single swab used on both the oropharynx (throat) and anterior nasal passage is an acceptable alternative option.
The Ministry of Health is now working with testing providers to make the alternative swab option available to all border workers undergoing regular weekly or fortnightly testing. Our aim is to have this up and running before the end of October.
This alternate swab option is being made available as an option that can be requested by any border worker undergoing mandatory testing.
The nasopharyngeal swab remains the preferred option due to its higher effectiveness in detecting the virus. However, as border workers are undergoing testing at such high frequency (fortnightly and, in some cases, weekly), the greater frequency offsets the reduced effectiveness.
If a ship arrives in port with a New Zealand crew member who wishes to disembark to return home, do the rest of the crew need to be tested even if they are remaining on the ship which is immediately departing to sail for an overseas port?
Yes. The COVID-19 Public Health Response (Maritime Border) Order (No 2) 2020: (https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-response-planning/covid-19-epidemic-notice-and-orders#maritime) requires that all crew on board the vessel need to meet the low risk indicators, including a negative COVID-19, before any person on board can disembark to enter the NZ community. Everyone on the ship must also have done 14 days of quarantine or isolation. This starts from the last contact or last port of call (whichever is later).
In the situation described above, in order for the returning NZ crew member to be authorised to disembark, the whole crew would need to meet the low risk indicators. If they return a negative test and meet the other low risk indicators, they could then be authorised to take shore leave.
If the ship on which the New Zealand crew member arrived was immediately departing New Zealand, and the crew departed before being tested the returning New Zealand crew member would have to go into a Managed Isolation or Quarantine Facility (MIQF) for 14 days, as for travellers entering NZ by air.
If the returning New Zealand crew member arrives at a port at a location where there is no MIFQ, and they are not able to remain on the ship because of the ship’s imminent departure, the local health authorities would have to consider how to manage the crew member’s quarantine.
A Medical Officer of Health can determine a different place of quarantine in these circumstances, bearing in mind the need to manage the public health risk around transfer of such a person to an MIQF elsewhere in New Zealand.
Is the local Port Authority notified if a ship’s crew are unwell, symptomatic, or test positive for COVID-19?
The local Port Authority, Harbour Master, and Regional Public Health Service must be notified if there is anyone on board a ship that are showing COVID symptoms. Shipping agents can arrange for health professionals (in full PPE) to visit the ship, assess the crew member and undertake a swab for a COVID test. If clinically appropriate, the crew member may be transported directly to hospital for further assessment and care.
It is required and standard practice for a ship to notify if any of its’ crew are seriously unwell at any time, regardless of whether we are in a COVID-19 response. Health Protection Offices are routinely advised of gastro bugs, flu etc on board a ship.
Is there onsite testing being carried out at the Port of Tauranga?
Yes.
GPs and PHOs are aware of arrangements in place for border workers to be tested, if they are unable to access testing available at the port where they work. They are aware that there is no charge for these tests.
A ‘close contact’ is a person who has had one of the following contacts with a suspect, confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 during their infectious period, without appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE):
If you are a close contact of a confirmed case you must stay home in self-isolation. It is important that you monitor your health carefully for the 14 days following your last day of exposure so that any early symptoms can be detected. If you develop any symptoms, phone Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice. If you have difficulty breathing, call 111. In either case, tell them that you are a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19.
You are unlikely to get infected just from having been in the same location as the person with the virus, for example in the same lecture theatre, gym or church. You are considered to be at low risk of catching the virus and do not need to go into isolation because of this possible exposure (however, staying home is nevertheless required if the current national alert is at Level 4).
There is a small possibility that you may become unwell. Monitor your health closely until 14 days has passed from the time you were exposed. If you develop symptoms that may be COVID-19 (such as a fever or a cough) phone Healthline on 0800 358 5453. If you have difficulty breathing, call 111. In either case, tell them that you are a casual contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19.
You must stay at home (self-isolate) until advised by a health professional that you can come out of self-isolation AND the following criteria must be met:
Once you have come out of isolation it is important to maintain good hygiene and handwashing practices. Even once you have recovered from COVID-19, you will be required to follow the current national guidance relating to alert levels, staying home and contact with others.
No, you should not work in a public setting if you are unwell. In this situation, you should stand down from work and self-isolate. Stay away from work until you have been symptom free for at least 24 hours. If necessary, call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or your family doctor for advice.
All workplaces should be practicing physical distancing as a standard, wherever possible, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious illnesses at this time.
The COVID-19 vaccination will be free of charge.
It will not be mandatory. You can choose whether to get vaccinated.
The government is expecting enough vaccines for every New Zealander – over 5 million people.
Vaccines have also been bought for those in the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, Sāmoa, Tonga and Tuvalu.
All New Zealanders will be able to choose whether to get vaccinated.
New Zealand has secured COVID-19 vaccines with four suppliers.
Different vaccines have been purchased to allow for the possibility of some being more suited to different population groups or areas.
The first agreement is for 1.5 million vaccines from Pfizer and BioNTech. This is enough for 750,000 people - each person will need two doses of this vaccination, about two weeks apart.
The government has also agreed to purchase 10.72 million doses of the Novavax vaccine. This vaccine needs two doses. Enough for 5.36 million people.
This vaccine is not expected to be available until later in 2021.
An agreement of 7.6 million doses has also been signed with AstraZeneca.
This vaccine needs two doses which is enough for 3.8 million people.
The AstraZeneca vaccine is ‘fridge-stable’, which may allow for a more efficient rollout. This means it’s compatible with existing storage and distribution channels.
The confirmed timing of the rollout depends on when suppliers can deliver it.
The amount of vaccine will be limited when it first arrives. It will first need to go to those who need it most.
Border and managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) workers are a priority group expected to be vaccinated first.
Vaccinations for the general public are expected to begin in the second half of 2021.
Yes. The best protection for New Zealand is to protect those most at risk of infection and their household contacts.
The priority is to vaccinate border workers, managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) and essential staff first.
Once the vaccine arrives in New Zealand, it’s expected vaccinating these priority groups will be completed in three to four weeks.
Ensuring equity of outcomes is a key measure of success. This includes protection for Māori, Pacific peoples and our most vulnerable population groups, such as:
Vaccines will be rolled out through a COVID-19 Immunisation programme when they become available.
Further information will be on this site when it’s made available from the Ministry of Health.
Over $66 million has been allocated to support the roll out of the vaccine. Most of this money is to pay for enough supplies to vaccinate New Zealand’s entire population and support neighbouring Pacific countries.
Nine large -80°C freezers that can store more than 1.5 million doses of vaccine have been purchased. These will become part of a central storage facility for vaccines that requires ultra-low temperatures (the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine).
Vaccines will be distributed from the central storage facilities in a very controlled way through a nationwide ‘cold chain’ network.
Work is underway to see what expansion is needed to the cold chain network to make sure it’s ready to distribute vaccine across the country. Some vaccines can be stored for up to five days in normal cold chain fridges in temperatures from 2-8°C.
The National Immunisation Register (NIR) hold records for all immunisations given to children in New Zealand, as well as some adults. A replacement for the NIR system is being developed and will be called the National Immunisation Solution (NIS).
The NIS will allow health workers to record vaccinations anywhere, anytime. The public will be able to digitally access their own immunisation records.
The first version of the system will be available to fully support the roll-out and additional functionality will be added through further versions.
An inventory management system for vaccines is also being developed. This will hold information about where the vaccines are located, as well as volumes and temperature.
The system will help track and trace COVID-19 vaccines and consumables, including their expiry dates to minimise wastage.
COVID-19, like the flu, can be spread from person to person. When a person who has COVID-19 coughs, sneezes or talks, they may spread droplets containing the virus a short distance, which quickly settle on surrounding surfaces.
As well as following basic hygiene measures, you can further protect yourself by reminding customers to physically distance themselves. You might like to use gloves. If you do, still follow basic hygiene – wash your hands with soap and water as soon as you remove your gloves.
Face masks aren’t necessary outside of a health setting. If staff have a face mask and choose to wear one they shouldn’t be prevented from doing so.
When a face mask is removed:
Free flu jabs are available now for priority groups that are most at risk of serious health complications from influenza as well as other frontline workers as follows:
To look after our community and make sure our health system is there for those who need it most, it’s important that these people are immunised first before the vaccine is available to the wider public. For more information, talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist, or call 0800 466 863.
Phone support
Alcohol Drug Helpline 0800 787 797 Operating 24/7
Tautoko Mai Sexual Assault Support Services 0800 227 233
BOPDHB Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line 0800 800 508
Elder Abuse Helpline 0800 32 66 865
Family Violence Information 0800 456 450 (its ok to ask for help)
Healthline 0800 611 116
Lifeline 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
National Mental Health & Addiction Helpline Text or call 1737
Tauranga Women’s Refuge 0800 86 733 843
Victim Support 0800 842 846
NZ Police 111 or 105
Youthline 0800 376 633 or free text 234
Samaritans 0800 726 666
Whakatāne and eastern BOP
Te Puna Ora’s local information line 0800 628 228 and press 9 for the dedicated COVID-19 local support line.
Tauranga Women’s Refuge
Shakti
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ranginui Iwi
Tautoko Mai Sexual Harm Support - formerly Bopsass
Tauranga Living without Violence
Family Works
Restorative Justice
If you feel you aren’t coping it’s important to seek help. Either by calling your GP or the following helplines.
In a crisis?
Tauranga 0800 800 508
Whakatāne 0800 77 4545
Rotorua 0800 166 167
For everyone it’s normal and human to feel anxious right now. Even if you are not sick you may be feeling anxious about COVID-19 and that is normal. There are great tips about taking care of yourself here
Anxiety phone line – 0800 269 4389 (0800 ANXIETY)
1737 need to Talk?
For support with anxiety, distress or mental wellbeing, you can call or text 1737 – free, anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - to talk it through with a trained counsellor.
Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Healthline – 0800 611 116
Samaritans – 0800 726 666
Helplines for children and young people
Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
thelowdown.co.nz – or email team@thelowdown.co.nz or free text 5626
What's Up – 0800 942 8787 (for 5–18 year olds). Phone counselling is available Monday to Friday, 12noon–11pm and weekends, 3pm–11pm. Online chat is available from 3pm–10pm 7 days a week, including all public holidays.
Kidsline – 0800 54 37 54 (0800 kidsline) for young people up to 18 years of age. Open 24/7.
Phone support
Alcohol Drug Helpline 0800 787 797Operating 24/7
Tautoko Mai Sexual Assault Support Services 0800 227 233
BOPDHB Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line 0800 800 508
Elder Abuse Helpline 0800 32 66 865
Family Violence Information 0800 456 450 (its ok to ask for help)
Healthline 0800 611 116
Lifeline 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
National Mental Health & Addiction Helpline Text or call 1737
Tauranga Women’s Refuge 0800 86 733 843
Victim Support 0800 842 846
NZ Police 111 or 105
Youthline 0800 376 633 or free text 234
Samaritans 0800 726 666
Rotorua Homeless Covid19 Support Line
Phone: 0800 2 WHARE
Email koreromai@housingfirstrotorua.org.nz
Advice on staying at home from the New Zealand Government:
https://covid19.govt.nz/help-and-advice/for-everyone/staying-at-home/
Salvation Army Rotorua 07 3468077
Salvation Army Taupo 07 3784142
Whakatane and eastern BOP
Te Puna Ora’s local information line 0800 628 228 and press 9 for the dedicated COVID-19 local support line.
Rotorua Homeless Covid19 Support Line
Phone: 0800 2 WHARE
Email koreromai@housingfirstrotorua.org.nz
Family Focus Rotorua |
Stacey Ford - Manager |
Sexual Violence Crisis Support |
Family Direct Service |
Mana Social Services Trust |
Theresa Heywood - Director |
Perpetrator service |
SWiS |
Mokoia Community Association Inc |
Carole Parker - Interim Manager |
Piripoho Navigator |
|
Manaaki Ora Trust (Tipu Ora) |
Raewyn Bourne - Executive Manager |
Elder Abuse Response Services |
Family Start - Phone calls and Video messaging |
Te Roopu A Iwi O Te Arawa |
Mary Corbett - General Manager |
Supported Bail |
Family Direct Service |
Te Runanga O Ngati O Pikiao Trust |
Pare Merito - General Manager |
Service Units |
Family and Crisis Counselling |
The Salvation Army - Rotorua |
Tania Hore - Centre Manager |
Foodbank and providing basic necessities. |
Social Worker and Housing Worker working remotely |
Lifelink/Samaritans Inc |
Greg Halse - Operations Manager |
Crisis Helpline |
|
Rotorua Budget Advisory Service |
Pakanui Tuhuru - Manager |
Building Financial Capability |
|
Te Waiariki Purea Trust |
Kiti Ransfield-King - Practice Leader |
Youth Development Programme (YDP) |
YJ Mentoring |
Waka Whakamua Trust |
Israel Hawkins - Manager |
WERA services: Tiaki Tangata, Youth Services, Emergency Housing, Youth Truancy, Mentoring & Specialist Cultural Assessments |
|
Waiariki Womens Refuge |
Paula Coker - Manager |
Safe House |
|
Rotorua Community Youth Centre |
Jennifer Murray - CEO |
Health and Well-being Service GP or Nurses (Open Mon to Fri 10.00am to 3.00pm) |
Youth Employment Plus & Youth Hub - Chris Cookson - Manager |
Lakes District Health Board |
Gary Lees - Director of Nursing and Midwifery |
Gateway Assessments |
|
Tuakiri Charitable Trust |
Chantelle Walker - General Manager |
Kaupapa Maori Care to transition Home |
|
Life Skills for Life Trust |
Rick Wiringi - General Manager |
Supervision With Activity |
|
The Open Home Foundation - Rotorua |
Brooke Dawson - Practice Manager |
Prevention of Entry |
|
Family Works - Rotorua |
Kristy Sears - Team Leader |
Counselling |
|
STAND Rotorua |
Toni Hocquard - Regional Manager |
Intensive Family Service |
Kidzacool |
For existing MSD clients or NZ residents needing financial support please ring Work and Income on 0800 559 009. Open 7am-6pm (Mon-Fri), 8am-1pm (Sat), Sun closed.
The Government Helpline is available to help people who aren’t sure who to talk to: please call 0800 779 997. Open 8am-5pm, 7 days a week.
Foreign nationals who do not qualify for other support can still access support through CDEM Groups – contact them through the Government Helpline.
For people who need support to find short term temporary accommodation due to COVID-19 please call MBIE’s Temporary Accommodation Service on 0508 754 163 to register.
Pacific Island Community Tauranga Trust (PICTT)
Migrant Connect – Citizen’s Advice Bureau
Multicultural Tauranga
Bay of Plenty Interpreting Service (BOPIS)
English Language Partners
Immigration New Zealand
Shakti
Child (Teen) Dental care – 0800 TALKTEETH (0800 825 583)
Alternative contact Te Manu Toroa Mon/Friday by appointment – Tauranga 027 803 2038
Adolescent and Adult Dental care – contact your private dentist
Low Income Adult Emergency Dental – 0800 335 011(8.30 to 5.00pm daily, weekends and Public Holidays) for Western and Eastern Bay of Plenty.
Phone 0800 Lakes Teeth (0800 525 378)Lakes DHB Community Oral Health Service 8.00am to 4.00pm
Families, whānau and all New Zealanders.
Anyone running a business or group.
Those wanting translations.