Covid 19 coronavirus: friends pay tribute to the victim of the Americold pandemic

Friends of a South Auckland refrigeration store worker who died this week from Covid-19 have paid tribute to the father of four.

Alan Te Hiko, in his 50s, died on Friday after battling the disease for several weeks in the intensive care unit at Middlemore Hospital.

He worked at the Americold Coolstore factory in Mt Wellington alongside the South Auckland cluster index case, and it was the first Covid death in New Zealand in more than three months.

In a Facebook post, a colleague paid tribute to Te Hiko, calling him a great boss.

“Hearing the news about you … friend … to me, you were more than the leader of my team, you were a friend and a big brother to some of us.

“You just got on with the job, you always supported us and you also stood up for us, you always had something smart to say and your cheeky response.”

Te Hiko was described as a “tough supporter of the Warriors” who had all the jerseys.

“So many memories as a boss for many of us. You were what a team leader is, always leading from the front. Now you can rest as a boss with your feet up and watch your Warriors from above.”

Another co-worker described Te Hiko as a “born leader”.

“You will never forget what you have done for us and taught us by being our leader … you always lead from the front and you were always the hardest worker on the pitch who did everything possible to make things easier for the rest of the team.

“I would also love the league jokes with you and your Warriors and I even had the audacity to come work with the New Zealand flag knowing full well that I had the Tonga flag in my office during RLWC.

“I have the utmost respect and love for you as a work colleague and friend.”

It is understood that Te Hiko was originally from Tokoroa and had recently returned to the city to see his family.

Chief Health Officer Dr. Ashley Bloomfield said the family was able to reach Te Hiko via video call at the hospital and a couple of close relatives were able to visit him in full personal protective equipment.

Today, five new confirmed Covid cases were announced: four community cases linked to the Mt Roskill group of churches and one in managed isolation.

There are 75 people linked to the community group remaining in the Auckland quarantine facility, which includes 58 people who have tested positive for Covid-19.

Today there are four people in the hospital; two are in the North Shore Hospital general ward, one is in the Middlemore Hospital general ward, and the other is in the Waikato Hospital ICU.

The total number of active cases is 116. Of these, 39 are imported cases at MIQ facilities and 77 are community cases.