By RNZ.co.nz. Republished with permission.
There was a street festival vibe to many Pasifika-organised Vaxathon events around the country today.
Thousands of Pacific people have taken the chance to be vaccinated against Covid-19 – with organisers going out of their way to make many events as much fun as possible.
In Onehunga at the Langimalie Supervax Event long queues of cars held occupants waited to be vaccinated, while outside people danced in the streets, waving Tongan flags, and brightening the mood of all those around them.
The Tongan Health Society chief executive, Dr Glenn Doherty, said they were giving 100 vaccine doses per hour at the event.
In Åtara, while the vibe was more chill, long lines still snaked slowly around the MIT carpark as large numbers waited for their doses.
The Samoan flags were waving at the Super Saturday vaccination event at the Browns Road netball courts in Manurewa, with those turning up getting a dose of Siva Samoa with their vaccine.
The Samoan community there gave out food parcels, sanitary products and petrol vouchers.
In MÄngere, at the LDS church on Robertson Road, it was all about Kuki Airani culture.
The ‘Do it 4 the East’ youth-led vaccination event in East Porirua’s Cannons Creek featured live music and performances, raffles, food and basketball.
It was there that crowds got to watch the Director General of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, spread his legs to the much loved Roimata.
When Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern asked people who they got vaccinated for, they replied “The East!”
In the South Island, members of the Nelson Tasman Pasifika Community Trust were at the whÄnau day at Nelson Intermediate School.
Around 100 people there had received the Covid-19 jab by midday.
Nelson Tasman Pasifika Community Trust chair Sonny Alesana saidĀ reaching out on social mediaĀ is helping to boost the number of Pasifika vaccinated in the top of the South Island.
*Additional reporting by Penina MomoiseÄ from The Coconet TV.
