There are 31 new community cases of Covid-19 and 29 new cases of the virus at the border reported in New Zealand today.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health said there were 14 new community cases in Auckland, one in Waikato, 12 new cases in Bay of Plenty and four cases in Lakes.
There were 29 Covid-19 cases identified at the border and the ministry said that although genome sequencing of these cases has not yet occurred it is expected some will be the Omicron variant.
The ministry said it has identified a third-border related case with the Omicron variant. The person is a household contact of the Air New Zealand crew member who tested positive for Omicron last week.
The person has now been transferred to an MIQ facility and is fully vaccinated and was in isolation during their symptomatic period, the ministry said.
There are currently 53 patients with Covid-19 in hospital including 22 in Middlemore, 16 in Auckland, nine in North Shore, five in Tauranga and one in Rotorua. There are six patients with Covid-19 in ICU or HDU.
The ministry said that nearly 4500 booster shots were administered yesterday, which was a jump of 1500 on the day before.
For people who don’t mind going to a walk-in vaccination centre, they are able to get your booster dose from 5 January. Find locations by clicking here.
For those who prefer to book in, appointment slots will be available from 17 January via Book My Vaccine online.
While the rollout with shortened intervals officially starts in early January 2022, people who have had their second shot for six months were encouraged to go get their booster dose right away.
The Ministry of Health has said there were plenty of booster doses available and no one would miss out.
Other options for booking
If you cannot book online, you can call the Covid-19 Vaccination Healthline on 0800 28 29 26 (8am to 8pm, seven days a week).
Interpretation services, and text, email and NZ Relay options for deaf and hearing impaired are available if you need them via the 0800 number.
There is also a specialist team for disabled people (option 2 on the 0800 number).
You can also make an appointment with your doctor if they are providing Covid-19 vaccines.
Who is eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine booster?
Healthcare and border workers have been the priority for booster doses since large numbers of people in those industries had their primary doses at least six months ago.
When you arrive for your booster, the date of your last dose will be checked in the booking system to ensure you have gone through the required interval period.
People aged 12 years and older have so far been able to get their primary Covid-19 vaccine courses throughout 2021, but the booster dose is currently only going to be available for those aged 18 years and above.
(For most people, a primary course is two doses, for some people a primary course could be three doses.)
If you had your full ‘primary course’ while you were pregnant, the Ministry of Health advises you to wait until after your baby is born before you take a booster.
Those who had their full ‘primary course’ before they became pregnant only need to wait six months on before taking the booster, the ministry said.
If you had your Covid-19 vaccination overseas, you can get still get the Pfizer booster once you have gone through the required interval from your last dose.
Potential side effects of boosters
You may experience some side effects with the booster similar to that of the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, according to the Ministry of Health.
These include muscle aches, pain at the injection site, headaches, nausea, and feeling tired or fatigued. For most people, these tend to be mild effects and don’t last long.
Some side effects are more serious but very rare, like a severe allergic reaction or an inflammation of the heart (myocarditis).
An online reporting form for adverse events following immunisation with Covid-19 vaccines is now available.
If you develop difficulty breathing, a racing heart, chest pain or feel faint immediately or in the days after the vaccine, you should seek medical attention.
If you’re unsure about your symptoms or if they get worse, call Healthline: 0800 358 5453.
Vaccine mandates and vaccine passes for boosters
You do not need to have a booster to be certified as ‘fully vaccinated’ for My Vaccine Pass or an International Travel Vaccination Certificate.
If you do get a booster dose, it will be added to My Covid Record and you can create another pass.
Early in December, the government announced Cabinet has agreed in principle that where workers are required to be vaccinated, this mandate will now extend to booster doses.
Border and health workers will be required to have their booster dose by the end of January, or not later than six months after their second dose for those recently vaccinated.
It will then be extended to all others covered by vaccination mandates from 1 March. These changes are expected to be confirmed in January 2022.
How effective is the booster against Covid-19?
The Ministry of Health says data from Pfizer shows that a booster dose is 95.6 percent effective against the coronavirus, including the Delta variant, compared to those who did not receive a booster.
At this stage, there is no data available on duration of protection against infection and disease following a booster dose.
The ministry said current evidence shows that after six months of a full vaccination course, protection against Covid-19 is reduced and so a ‘top up’ vaccine will help boost immunity against the virus.
“We already know that booster vaccinations significantly lift an individual’s immunity, reducing the spread and the severity of Covid-19.
“Data is emerging now that booster doses of Pfizer provide better protection than two doses do when it comes to the Omicron variant.”
The new data confirms that two doses of the AstraZeneca, Pfizer or Moderna vaccines offers little protection against being infected with Omicron.
Why has the time between the second dose and booster been shortened?
Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins has said that soon it is expected that every case coming into New Zealand’s border would be of the highly infectious Omicron variant.
The government hopes having widespread administration of the Covid-19 vaccine booster will help prevent any potential massive outbreak of the variant and decrease the risk of transmission.
The family and friends of Hon Viliami Manuopangai Hingano have sent him love and encouragement after the newly appointed Cabinet Minister apparently flew to Auckland for medical treatment.
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forests Viliami Manuopangai Hingano
A photo seen by Kaniva News appears to show the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forests posing with a female cousin in Auckland last week.
The cousin’s father, who we chose not to identify at this stage because he has yet to respond to more queries from Kaniva News and for permission for us to use the photo, said his daughter visited the minister in Auckland and took the photo while she was with him.
He claimed Hon Hingano was sick, “puke”.
He posted the photo of her daughter and the Minister on Facebook.
The Minister appears to have left Tonga shortly after the Prime Minister appointed him on December 29.
Hon Hingano could not be reached for comment.
We have contacted the government for comment.
We have asked the Minister of Health Saia Piukala to confirm whether it was true Hon Hingano was in a hospital in Auckland for medical treatment.
We also asked Hon Piukala if he could provide an estimate of how long Hon Hingano would be in Auckland.
We asked the Minister of Finance Hon Tatafu Moeaki to tell us whether or not Hon Hingano’s medical treatment was paid by the government.
We have asked the Prime Minister to tell us who was filling Hon Hingano’s portfolios while he was away from the country.
We will update this story if the government responds to our request for comment.
Kaniva News understands Prime Minister Sovaleni has yet to choose someone to temporarily fill Hon Manuopangai’s portfolios, even though it was clear right before his appointment that he was seeking an opportunity to come to New Zealand due to his medical needs.
It is normal practice for the Tongan government and Parliament to pay for their members’ medical treatment overseas as part of their office entitlements.
“Happy New Year Manuopangai I was happy seeing him today he was cheerful while we were talking let’s pray for him and that God help him through the doctor”, a commenter wrote in Tongan under the photo on Facebook.
”We love you and pray that you will be successful in your endeavour”, one wrote.
”Sending love. Love you Manuopangai Hingano, wish there will be an opportunity and everything will be fine. Happy New Year”, another wrote.
“You are lucky to be here (in New Zealand)”.
The former Ha’apai governor was convicted and fined $12,500 in the Supreme court last year after he was charged with possession of unlawful huge amount of 198 kg turtle meat in August 2020.
Heavy downpours in Tonga have caused surface flooding in the Vava’u main island where capital Neiafu is.
Surface flooding at Vaipua and small boats being capsized at Puatalefusi. Photo/ Vāvā Lapota
Photos taken at the scene showed Neiafu’s Vaipua village was affected by surface flooding.
Neiafu Town Officer Vava Lapota told Kaniva News there was heavy rain last night and it continued this morning.
It is understood high tide in parts of the main island had added to the flooding causing some small boats anchored at Puatalefusi wharf to capsize.
Severe gale and heavy rain warnings were in place for all of Tonga, with a risk of thunderstorms in some areas.
Tonga MetService issued a weather watch on Monday 3 at 1pm saying a gale warning is now in force for Vava’u, Ha’apai, Tongatapu, ‘Eua and the Niuas land areas.
“A heavy rain warning and flash flood adivsory remain in force for all of Tonga land areas”, it said.
“An active trough continues to lie slow moving over the Group. Associated clouds, strong to gale force winds, occasional rain and thunderstorms will affect the Group today, tomorrow and Wednesday”.
His Majesty King Tupou VI paid tribute to Lord Ma’afu this morning as his body was laid to rest at Huelo Hangai royal cemetery in Tokomololo.
Lord Ma’afu. Photo/Tonga Parliament
The king was seen hanging a wreath before bowing his head in front of Lord Ma’afu’s grave.
The ceremony was attended by about 100 mourners including Queen Nanasipau’u Tuku’aho, Princess Pilolevu Tuita and was broadcast live. Lord Ma’afu died in Auckland, New Zealand on Dec 12, aged 66.
The former Minister of His Majesty’s Armed Forces was honoured at his Tokomololo estate’s cemetery in a service that was steeped in military and royal tradition.
The funeral reflected his military and royal ties as “a professional soldier, serving for more than 20 years and rising to the rank of colonel” and the head of the highest chiefly Ha’a Havea clan. He was a cousin of Queen Nanasipau’u.
A royal procession was led this morning by Prince Ata from Vaiola mortuary where Lord Ma’afu’s body was being laid after arriving from New Zealand last week, to Tokomololo.
Coronavirus restrictions meant that instead of laying his body at his own home he was taken to the mortuary. Cultural funeral practices and presentations were performed and presented at various places including his estates and church.
He was described as “the people’s chief who truly loved his people”.
Ma’afu was not well before he died and had come to New Zealand to get treatment.
Police have launched a homicide investigation after a man died at Middlemore Hospital this morning.
Counties Manukau Police. Photo/Kalino Lātū
He arrived at hospital around 6am with critical injuries and a sadly died a short time later.
Police are in the very early stages of our investigation and are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the man’s death which remain unclear at this time.
We have a scene examination underway at the velodrome in Manukau.
Formal identification procedures are underway and we are working to ensure the man’s family is provided with Victim Support at this difficult time.
There is no further information available at this early stage.
A digitised map released by Tonga Geological Services yesterday shows Tonga has acquired some new territory.
The map of Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai. The dark blue colour with mixture of white colour shows the 600m new extension caused by the current volcanic activity. The green and yellow colours show a satellite image taken on October 2021 showing the original Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai after it was formed in 2015. LEA FAKATONGA: Ko e mape ‘o e ma’olunga mo e fotunga ‘o Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai na’e mapuna he 2015 ‘i hono mape’i mei he satelaite ‘i ‘Okatopa 2021 (‘oku ha lanu mata mo engeenga ‘i he vaha’a ‘o Hunga Tonga ki he tokelau hahake, pea Hunga Ha’apai ki he Hihifo). Ko e ‘ata lanu puluu fakapopo’uli mo maama hinehina ko e konga fonua fo’ou ia kuo tanaki ki he motu Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai. ‘Oku a’u ki he mita ‘e 600m ‘ene tupu ki he fakahahake ‘i hono mape’i mei he satelaite he ‘aho 25/12/2021.Photo/Tonga Geological Services
The image appeared to show the volcanic activity occurred 65km north of Tonga’s main island Tongatapu has formed a 600m extension east of Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai on December 25, 2021, the Services said.
The digitised map was designed based on NASA’s satellite images, it said.
The release of the image came after some spectacular footages recorded from a boat close to the scene by some eyewitnesses. The footages, which were taken by Ioana Sugar Kalo and Bronco Sugarelli on December 28 showed explosive eruption of the volcano continues characterised by what appeared to be dark and dense mixtures of hot volcanic fragments, ash and gas.
NASA described Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai, which are 1.6km apart, as two islands sitting atop a large seamount.
“These volcanic islands stand just 128 and 149 meters (420 and 490 feet) above sea level”, NASA reported in 2014.
Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai, which stands for its locations between Tongatapu and Ha’apai islands, was separated from the sea by a shallow sandbar, forming a lagoon.
“Initially it was believed that the entire island would be eroded rapidly, but scientists now believe that the process may take decades”.
Since the current volcanic activity last month, the Ha’apai residents have been issued with warnings that acid rain from the eruption threatened water tanks and they should remove guttering systems from rainwater tank storage until the eruption finishes. These should not be reinstalled until after the next rainfall, to reduce the risk of contamination.
Seventeen people have been recognised in the New Year’s honours for their services to Pacific communities in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Faumuina Professor Fa’afetai is the recipient of a medal for services to Pacific health and tertiary education in NZ. Photo: Otago University
Faumuina Professor Fa’afetai Sopoaga leads the New Year’s Honours list for Pacific recipients.
She was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to Pacific health and tertiary education.
She was the inaugural Pacific Associate Dean, Division of Health Sciences at the University of Otago between 2009 and 2020.
Faumuina has championed medical and public health education for Pacific communities since the 1990s.
Education was always important to her parents, she said.
“This to me is in part a reflection of what my parents had instilled in me the importance of education and service to others. And it is also a recognition of many others I work alongside in the tertiary sector in the community. And our collective efforts to improve our Pacific health and the health of our community.”
She led the development of the Division of Health Sciences’ first strategic plan 2011-2015 and contributed to Otago University’s Pacific Strategic Plan 2013-2020.
Faumuina also advocated for the establishment of additional senior Pacific leadership roles in Health Sciences. There are seven new Pacific Associate Dean roles today at Otago University.
“Professor Sopoaga was also instrumental as the Director of the Va’a o Tautai Centre for Pacific Health, she led the mobilisation of Samoa Doctors World-wide to support relief efforts for Samoa’s 2019/2020 measles epidemic,” said Minister of Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio.
“And more recently she’s been representing New Zealand to support Samoa’s vaccination rollout.”
Sina Moana Wendt is being recognised for her services to governance. Photo: Supplied/ Sina Moana Wendt
Sina Moana Wendt is one of two Pasifika Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Wendt was recognised for her services to governance. She has contributed to the commercial, public and not-for-profit sectors for 25 years through her governance and executive roles.
Wendt has been the Chief Executive Officer of Leadership New Zealand since 2012, an organisation that contributes to the capacity and capability of leaders across public and private sectors, from diverse communities in Aotearoa.
She has worked with people from the Pacific region, the Commonwealth, and with people of all ages and background to encourage, support and embolden all to step into leadership roles.
She helped develop and launch Mana Moana Experience, a leadership programme for Pasifika leaders.
The other Officer of the NZOM is Justice of Peace, Tuita’alili Vaitava’e Su’a Aloese-Moe, who was honoured for her services to the Pacific community.
She has contributed to the health and education sector for the Pacific community for more than 40 years.
She helped establish Malaeola Community Centre which hosts more than 25 Catholic Parishes in Auckland and has been a member of the Parish Pastoral Council since 2011.
Tuita’alili has been a JP since 2012. She was also recognised for her services to education and health by Samoa’s Head of State who bestowed the honour of a matai chiefly title for her contributions.
Robert Oliver is being honoured for his services to the food industry and Pacific communities. Photo: Supplied
Renowned international chef Robert Oliver is being recognised for his services to the food industry and Pacific communities.
Oliver was recently appointed board chair of the Pacific Island Food Revolution which he founded.
He is the only non-Pasifika honoured for his work with Pacific communities.
Oliver is also an award-winning author and is the brains behind the regional food show.
Prominent South Auckland local body leader, Alf Filipaina, has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
A former policeman, Alf Filipaina was the first Pacific councillor elected to the Auckland Super City Council.
Pacific Peoples Minister Aupito William Sio described Filipaina as a tireless champion for everyone in South Auckland.
“I am very proud of the calibre and tireless advocacy of our Pacific honours recipients.
“I congratulate all the Pacific People who have shared in these New Year’s Honours and their families for their support and sacrifice over the years,” said Aupito.
Glorious Oxenham, left, performing with the Solomon Islands community at the Wellington Pasifika Festival in January 2021. Oxenham has been honoured for her services to the Melanesian community in Aotearoa. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins
Queen’s Service Medal recipient Glorious Oxenham says the award is an acknowledgement to all the people she works with in the community.
Oxenham has been recognised in the New Years Honours list for services to the Melanesian community in New Zealand.
She has been promoting Solomon Islands and Melanesian culture, language and values for more than 25 years.
She said the Melanesian community in Wellington are really supportive.
“Here in Wellington we work really well with the three Melanesian countries, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu,” Oxenham said.
“These three communities work really well together as soulfully as well as helping each other out in the community things that we do.”
Oxenham has been President of the Lower North Island Wantok Association since 2011.
Last year, 13 people were honoured in the Queen’s New Year’s list. They included playwrights, teachers, reverends, advocates and athletes.
Alf Filipaina is being recognised for his services to the New Zealand Police and the community. Photo: Auckland Council
Pacific recipients in the New Year’s Honours
Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
Faumuina Professor Fa’afetai Sopoaga (Dunedin) for services to Pacific health and tertiary education.
Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
Tuita’alili Vaitava’e Su’a Aloese-Moe, JP (Auckland) for services to the Pacific community.
Sina Moana Wendt (Auckland) for services to governance.
Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
Alfred Meredith Filipaina (Auckland) for services to the New Zealand Police and the community.
Dr Rose Namoori-Sinclair (Otaki) for services to the Kiribati community.
Robert Mark Oliver – non-Pacific (Auckland) for services to the food industry and Pacific communities.
Namulau’ulu Taotua Leaoa Joshua James Potoa’e Robertson (New Plymouth) for services to the Pacific community.
Allan Stowers (Auckland) for services to the Samoan community.
Kolokesa Uafā Māhina-Tuai (Auckland) for services to cultures and the arts.
Teremoana Yala (Porirua) for services to the Cook Islands community.
The Queen’s Service Medal:
Nonu ‘Unga Alatini (Auckland) for services to the Tongan community and education.
Vaisamoa Manoa (Auckland) for services to the Tuvalu community.
Taulapu Oliver, JP (Blenheim) for services to the Pacific community.
Glorious Marie Oxenham (Lower Hutt) for services to the Melanesian community.
Ingi Kulesa Sale Tusini-Rex (Auckland) for services to the Niue community.
Honorary:
Tito Daurewa (Auckland) for services to the Pacific community and Pacific rugby.
Falanisesi Fusitu’a Hafoka (Auckland) for services to the Tongan community.
Teremoana Yala is being honoured for her services to the Cook Islands community. Photo: RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox
There are 49 new community cases of Covid-19, but no new Omicron cases in the community to report, the Ministry of Health has announced.
In today’s statement, the Ministry said there were 10 Omicron cases to report among recent arrivals at the border, bringing the total at the border to 88.
But it said there were no community Omicron cases to report and all the close contacts to the two cases who were in the community this week have so far tested negative.
The Ministry said microbiologists had advised that the risk of transmission from the Omicron border case announced on Wednesday was low.
The six close contacts of the case who attended the Hidden Lakes festival had all tested negative for Covid-19 and the Ministry said this meant there was no public health risk associated with this event.
“Contact tracing has now identified 88 close contacts for this case. This includes close contacts identified via case interviews and from locations of interest. Eighty of these contacts have been reached, all are isolating and have been tested. All results received to date have been negative. Contact tracers are working urgently to contact the eight close contacts who are yet to be reached.”
All eight close contacts of the border-related Omicron case in an Air NZ crew member have returned negative tests and there are no locations of interest associated with this case.
The Ministry said it was now assuming all recent arrivals who test positive have the Omicron variant, so it will now prioritise whole genome sequencing for any positive cases in border-related workers and their families.
“This is where there is the greatest risk of Omicron entering the community. This new approach will help to ensure the risk of any community transmission of Omicron remains low. These samples will be treated as urgent and tested within 12 hours of being received by the laboratory.”
Community cases and hospitalisations
The Ministry said 46 people with the coronavirus are in hospital, with eight in intensive care. The average age of the patients is 57.
Today’s community cases were reported in Auckland (22), Waikato (3), Bay of Plenty (19), Rotorua (2), Taupo (2) and Hawke’s Bay (1).
The 19 new cases in Bay of Plenty today include 17 in Tauranga and two in Western Bay of Plenty. Ten are linked to previously reported cases, and all cases are isolating at home or in managed accommodation.
The Napier case was first announced by the DHB yesterday and investigations continue into links to any previous cases.
A second case – who is a close contact of the first – was notified after the reporting cut-off and will be included in tomorrow’s figures.
All known close contacts of the cases have been identified and are now isolating and being tested for Covid-19.
The locations of interest in the Wellington region listed on the Ministry of Health’s website yesterday were from a case that travelled from Wellington to Gisborne, the Ministry confirmed today. This case has been previously reported and is included in Tairāwhiti case numbers.
There were also 13 new cases identified at the border today, with travellers arriving from Canada, USA, UK, Australia, UAE, and Singapore.
The ministry also said today that 90 percent of eligible Pacific peoples in New Zealand have now are now fully vaccinated, with 258,713 having had their second dose.
Hawke’s Bay DHB has also reached the milestone of 90 percent of the eligible population being fully vaccinated.
More than 300,000 people have received a booster – about 70 percent of those eligible to get their booster after six months since second dose in 2021. From 5 January, people only need to wait four months since their last dose and will be able to access a booster through walk in clinics.
The number of vaccines given yesterday included 963 first doses; 4916 second doses; 390 third primary doses and 17,116 booster doses.
