Covid 19 coronavirus: Northland checkpoints will go ahead without police

By RNZ

As health officials investigate two new potential Covid-19 cases linked to the Pullman Hotel, community-run Covid-19 checkpoints will be operating in Northland starting Thursday, without police support.

Te Tai Tokerau expects an influx of Auckland locals ahead of Auckland’s anniversary weekend and some are nervous, after a local woman tested positive for the South African strain of Covid-19 after leaving Auckland-administered isolation.

Another returnee who was also staying at the Pullman Hotel got it. It was revealed on Wednesday that two more returnees who recently left the Pullman tested positive for Covid-19.

“It has not yet been confirmed whether they are recent or historical infections. More urgent tests are being carried out tonight,” the Health Ministry said in a statement Wednesday night.

The Ministry was slow to present the new information. Earlier, when asked for clarification on the two new cases, he said “it would be irresponsible to go on the air based on a rumor,” before confirming the two new cases hours later.

The Te Tai Tokerau Border Control operated the Northland checkpoints during the 2020 Covid-19 closures. Spokesperson Hone Harawira believes they need them again but says police will not help.

In a statement, Northland Police Inspector Riki Whiu said police were unaware of plans by a local group to reestablish checkpoints in the region.

“We all came to this kaupapa from the same place out of the need to protect the most vulnerable in the community. As we have done throughout the Covid-19 response, we continue to work with our partners, which includes iwi,” he said. .

“The police respect and acknowledge the good intentions of the group, however, while New Zealand remains on a Level 1 alert, the police do not believe there is any requirement for checkpoints at this time.”

Harawira said it is “really disappointing.”

“The police have the authority to run a checkpoint and stop all vehicles on the road for alcohol, firearms, a license … but they will not support a checkpoint to provide information to the public about the threat of Covid- 19 and the impact it can have on our kaumātua and kuia.

“We stopped our checkpoints the last time without the declared support of the police. They came and supported what we were doing because they could see that what we were doing was in the interest of keeping our community safe.

“Regardless of the position of the police, our position is that we are there to defend the rights and interests and well-being of our kaumātua, kuia and the people of Tai Tokerau. We would love to have the police on board. If they don’t it may be there, that’s something they have to consider, not us. “

Far North Mayor John Carter supports future checkpoints.

“I think there are all the justifications. [Tai Tokerau Border Control] they should be applauded for this in all sincerity. What they are doing is adopting a responsible attitude, they do not seek to reject people, they only tell people to ‘be aware’.

“Of course we want our visitors and more importantly our permanent people to be safe. I think they are doing a good job.

“We have to be sensible and approach this realistically. We had an instance with the lady that we should congratulate on the steps she has taken, but now we find out that there may be another couple. We just have to be careful.”

Carter said a brief lockdown would have been premature, “but we will have to wait and see what happens to these other two cases now.”