There's also a RASNZ Support and Information Line for former refugees (0800 472 769, Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm) . They have also collated reliable information and resources on COVID-19, particularly relating to mental health and wellbeing, in different languages. Resources will be updated as new information becomes available.
New Zealand Red Cross - COVID 19 Response
Help is available through Visitor Care Manaaki Manuhiri for people on temporary visas who are in New Zealand and experiencing serious hardship due to COVID-19.
Having been identified as an ‘essential service’, Red Cross Migration staff and volunteers are now set up at home and providing services remotely to resettled (former refugee) families and individuals in eight settlement locations across Aotearoa. This Programme Update #1 covers Red Cross current priorities, updates on key programmes (such as Pathways to Settlement, Restoring Family Links), quick links to language support and who you can contact for more updates and support at this time, plus more.
NZ Red Cross COVID-19 Information Page
What is COVID-19? Key information about what it is, the symptoms and what to do if you think you have the symptoms.
What you can do to slow the spread? Covers simple steps you can take to keep yourself and your loved ones safe and well. Includes links to flyers and posters with info on how to reduce the spread of the virus, as well as information on getting your household ready, such as creating or updating an emergency household plan.
Ministry of Health Easy Read Resources - translated into 11 languages: New Zealand Red Cross staff have translated the Ministry of Health Easy Read Resources into a range of languages – Arabic, Burmese, Farsi, Kinyarwanda, Nepali, Pashto, Somali, Spanish, Tamil, Tigrinya and Urdu.
Keep in the know and learn more: Details of reliable sources of information: NZ Government website and Ministry of Health, plus includes a link to the Red Cross First Aid app to receive up-to-date information on COVID-19, provided by the Ministry of Health, straight to your phone.
Take action early: What to do if you become unwell.
Connecting with people overseas: Restoring Family Links can help people who may have lost contact with family members due to Covid-19. If you know someone who could benefit from this service, click here.
Food Banks and Parcels
For Aucklanders unable to afford groceries or in lockdown with no access to other supports, find out about the Welfare Package and Food Banks you can access.
Food Banks List
For those located in Auckland, who need to access more food during the current level three lockdown, the following food banks are providing kai:
Nga Whare Waatea Marae, Mangere - A drive-through food bank is operating weekdays at Nga Whare Waatea Marae at 31 Calthorp Close, Mangere from 10am-2pm until further notice. Bring ID. Wait in car and our kaimahi will awhi one whānau at a time.
Auckland City Mission Foodbank - If you need a food parcel call ACM 09 303 9266 and speak to the Crisis Care team. You will then be given a time to collect from ACM distribution centre at 15 Auburn Street, off Boston road in Grafton. Everyone must take ID with them.
Salvation army food parcels - Contact the Mt Wellington Salvation Army Community Ministry 09 379 7615 – or their local Salvation Army Community Ministry (ring 0800 53 00 00 to find your local ministry). You will be given a time to collect your food parcel.
Presbyterian Support Northern - Call 09 309 2054 to arrange a pick-up at 8 Madeira Lane, Grafton. Strictly no walk-ins and collections are strictly between 11-12am Mon-Fri.
St Vincent De Paul, Newton branch – Call 09 815 6122 or email – Auckland@stvinnies.co.nz and they can deliver a food parcel.
Papakura Marae Foodbank - Open Mon-Fri 10am-2.30pm, 09 297 2036. Please phone to request a food parcel, someone will ring you back to do a phone interview, then food will be delivered. Only deliveries to Papakura and Manurewa areas currently.
Orakei Foodbank - Call 521 5712 and leave message on voicemail with details of how many in family etc. Parcels are only delivered on Tuesdays and Fridays to Orakei, Kohimarama and Mission Bay.
St Marks Church in Pakuranga are still open but only focusing on those in Pakuranga. You can contact them directly via their contact page on their website or emailing stmarks@xtra.co.nz.
Hills Church on Hillsborough Road can be emailed at office@hillschurch.nz Please provide details on your needs and they will do their best to provide a food parcel. Hills Church has also offered to go shopping for those that cannot leave home due to self-isolation if needed.
Auckland Advisory Panels Recruitment
Auckland is one of the most diverse cities in the world.
To help ensure that the council’s decisions reflect the views and needs of a wide range of communities, the council has established the following advisory panels:
Disability Advisory Panel
Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel
Pacific Peoples Advisory Panel
Rainbow Communities Advisory Panel
Seniors Advisory Panel
Youth Advisory Panel.
One of the key achievements of the Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel over the last year has been the establishment of the Future of Auckland website which provides more information about the panel and a number of stories that aim to capture the hopes and dreams of Aucklanders from different backgrounds - http://ethnicpeoples.advisorypanels.nz .
Recruitment will start shortly to re-establish the panels for the next three years. This is an exciting chance to have a say in Auckland’s future by working closely with councillors and senior council staff to build a good understanding of regional challenges and opportunities facing the council. Aucklanders of different ages, cultures and ethnicities are invited to apply.
Panel members will receive a fee or honorarium. Each panel will have between 8-12 members who provide advice to the mayor, councillors and council staff on plans, policies and strategies such as climate change and how the council can continue its work to create an inclusive and equitable Auckland.
In addition, the advisory panels will be asked to help the council update its communication and engagement guidelines to ensure we are reaching all of Auckland’s diverse communities.
Auckland Council is looking for people who can offer the following:
lived experience and broad understanding of the needs and aspirations of the community (relevant to the panel you are applying to join)
an understanding of Te Tiriti O Waitangi / Treaty of Waitangi and why this is important to local government
ability to understand and provide feedback and advice on council strategies, policies and plans
ability and confidence to collaborate and to contribute as part of a group
ability to provide guidance on how the council communicates and engages with Auckland’s diverse communities
an excellent command of written and verbal English or New Zealand sign language
availability to attend monthly meetings (weekday daytime and/or evenings)
commitment to a three-year term from March 2020 to September 2022.
Eligibility:
To be considered for a position on an advisory panel you must be a New Zealand citizen or a New Zealand permanent resident, reside in the Auckland region, and be over 18 years of age.
There are two exceptions to the age limit. These are the Youth Advisory Panel who must be between 14 and 24 years of age at the time of appointment and the Seniors Advisory Panel members who must be 65 years of age or older.
Applications will open shortly. To find out more about the achievements of the advisory panels over the last three years, view the Our Auckland article: https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/articles/news/2019/10/advisory-panels-provide-significant-input-to-decision-making/
To be added to our mailing list or for questions about the panels, please visit www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/advisorypanels , or email advisorypanels@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz .