Daily Archives: January 9, 2022

Vanessa Honor can speak multiple languages but adapting to the Kiwi slang has presented a new set of challenges since moving to Aotearoa about five years ago.

I noticed a lot of people saying, sweet as and Im thinking, sweet as what? What is sweet?

And then not long after that I found myself saying, yeah-nah, just as a joke but its a normal part of conversation now.

I cant wait to absorb more Kiwi quirks and slang.

READ MORE:* Waip District Council's Zoom meeting goes viral as people pretend they're in it* 'Rapid' growth between Hamilton and Auckland expected to continue * Waikato leaders laud new blueprint for growth

Christel Yardley/Stuff

Vanessa moved to New Zealand for about five years and now lives in Hamilton.

Honor is among 752,000 internationals who arrived in New Zealand 5-7 years prior to the 2018 Census report.

Census data showed in Waikato, 16 per cent of the regions 458,2020 population, thats about 7300 people, arrived from overseas countries during the same period.

Honor is no stranger to learning a language or dialect of a new country or region.

The 40-year-old was born in Bordeaux, France. Her mum was of mixed Polish descent and her father was from French Guiana, near Brazil in South America.

Christel Yardley/Stuff

She now works as a senior strategic planner for Waip District Council, setting a strategy for how and where the district will grow and develop over the next 30 years.

My mum is white and shes from continental France, thats what they like to call it, the mainland.

My dad is from Guiana, he is black and so I am of mixed race.

Bordeaux is a well-known destination for wine lovers, its museums and public gardens.

French Guiana is a former colony of France, most of it is covered by rain forest and its drawcard is the Guiana Amazonian Park.

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Bordeaux in France, a city said to be built on rivers of wine. It is where Vanessa was born.

I grew up in both countries. My dad didnt like the winter in France so we would spend about six months in each country.

But by the time I was 14, I lived in France all the time.

Honor said people in Guiana speak a local dialect of French but also lot of Creole too, which has Portuguese origins, with a little bit of English and some French.

Creole is such a beautiful mix of languages, all around South America you have different types of Creole, especially in the Caribbean which is very much attached to its history around slavery.

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Vineyards of Saint Emilion, near Bordeaux.

We picked up Creole because we lived in Guiana but it wasnt something my father put forward in front of us to learn, he was more interested in making sure I had accurate use of the French language.

Her father grew up in a period when there was change in the Caribbean, politically and socially. It has a history of colonial exploitation involving the slavery trade, and next to that, a growing multi-racial Creole society.

He always thought it would be challenging for black people and for a woman of mixed race, if we couldnt master the French language first.

Honor studied evolutionary genetics at university in France, its the study of how genetic variation leads to evolutionary change.

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The Amazon forest near Brazil. Vanessa says river trips through the Amazon forest in French Guiana are popular with visitors.

While at study, she met a friend from Scotland and followed him to Edinburgh where she lived, studied and worked for 13 years.

She is passionate about conservation, the environment and decided to study ecology and later, applied ecology, which focused on how to understand, protect and enhance ecosystems.

Living in Scotland gave her a chance to improve her English language skills too and learn about the regional dialects and slang from various parts of the country.

She began working as a planner and for a while Scotland ticked all the boxes.

Mark Taylor/Stuff

Beef Bourguignon is a French beef stew braised in red wine. It rekindles memories of family sitting down to eat together, Vanessa says.

But in the back of my mind, I had always been thinking about New Zealand. Its a place I wondered about ever since I was a child.

When I started looking into it, I could see that planners were on the shortage list for New Zealand, so I knew from a career perspective, it could be a good move.

Honor tried not to have too many expectations of what life in New Zealand would be like.

I knew there was a lot of change happening in New Zealand but I didnt realise how rich it was in its history, culturally and politically.

Christel Yardley/Stuff

She is a planner by trade and there is a shortage of planners in New Zealand, which prompted her to make the move from the other side of the world.

I thought people were more relaxed here than people in France, which is what I was looking for.

I wanted to get away from a stressful society and New Zealand has got this wonderful work-life balance.

Honor worked as a graduate planner for Aurecon in Auckland for three and a half years before moving to Hamilton in 2021 to work for the Waip District Council.

The Waip council was a client [with Aurecon] and I loved working with the people there.

She joined the council in August during the lockdown and she had been working remotely from home, away from her new team.

Christel Yardley/Stuff

Vanessa says its never too late to travel, to change careers, to study or to try something new.

As a senior strategy planner, shell be helping Waip prepare for its projected population growth for the next 30 years.

In the next 10 years, for example, Cambridges population will reach 24,000 requiring 2300 more homes while Te Awamutu and Kihikihi combined would reach 15,500 people, requiring 630 new homes.

I am a planner by trade but the planning system here is quite different from Scotland.

The RMA reform is changing New Zealand and there is a new generation of planners coming through much more focused on spatial strategic planning.

If she were to write home to family in France, describing what life in New Zealand was like, Honor would say it feels like the best of each country shes lived in.

You have the best of Scotland, France and Guiana. You have this urban background in Hamilton but then suddenly you can be in the country and that reminds me of France.

Then you have the forest areas with trees so high you cant see the sky, its so intense it reminds me of Guiana.

But then I go back to work and its Scotland.

Honor also has an accent which is a blend of all three countries too, with the Scottish slang coming through the strongest during the interview.

Ive been told my accent is unique and its even more unique when you see what I look like.

People say, do you know that French girl, who has a Scottish accent but looks like shes from Brazil?

Honor said her father lives in Spain now and shes been able to speak some Spanish on visits there. She can also manage some Portuguese if you put me back into Brazil for a week.

English and French are my fluent languages though.

She wont compare Edinburgh with Hamilton, that would be unfair, she said.

But Hamilton right now is evolving, it is writing a new chapter in its history.

New Zealands beach culture has allowed her to revisit her love for surfing, at Raglan while shes also enjoying Hamiltons Japanese-Korean food which is new to her.

I like to discover new food but I hate Brussels sprout, dont cook that for me.

If she were to host visitors for dinner, it would boeuf bourguignon on the menu, made with some instruction from her grandmother in France.

Its just the attachment I have to that particular dish, memories of growing up in France with my grandmother and grandfather, sitting down to eat at the table surrounded with food and people.

Honor doesnt normally like being the centre of attention. Appearing in a story and photos took some convincing.

The main reason I wanted to do this story is to show people youre never too old to try something new.

I hear people say, its too late for me to travel or to change my career. But I went back to university at 33 and then I moved to New Zealand at 36.

Working in strategy planning is really what I was looking to do and its something I love doing in a country I love living in.

Read more:

Vanessa Honor: Moving to New Zealand, yeah-nah, it's sweet as - Stuff.co.nz

Under the Vines on Acorn TV is a show that fizzes and pops with romance and possibility as it sees two mismatched city dwellers thrown together when they inherit a failing New Zealand vineyard.

Heres our complete guide to the sun-dappled, six-part comedy-drama featuring an exclusive interview with Downton Abbey star Charles Edwards...

Inheriting a vineyard in New Zealand may seem like a dream come true, but for stuffy London lawyer Louis Oakley its a living nightmare that he wants to put a cork in.

Charles Edwards (Downton Abbey, The Crown) and Rebecca Gibney (The Flying Doctors, Wanted) star as the cheeky pairing of bottled-up Louis and effervescent Sydney socialite Daisy Munroe.

These two lost souls are brought together In Acorn TVs lighthearted new six-part series when they jointly inherit Oakley Winery after the death of Louis uncle Stanley, who was also Daisys stepdad.

Under the Vines lands on Acorn TV from Monday Jan. 2022. Episodes 1 and 2 are available from Monday 10 January then new episodes of the six-part series will be made available weekly on Mondays. We will update on its availability in the US and worldwide.

To sign up for Acorn TV, visitwww.acorn.tvor download the Acorn TV app on your favourite device to start your 30 day free trial. You can also getUnder The Vines through Acorn TV on Amazon Prime Video (for extra charge).

Yes there's a very entertaining trailer for Under The Vines Season 1! Enjoy this taster of the sparkling new series below.

Louis flies to Queenstown and sets about trying to sell the dilapidated vineyard cheaply and quickly. Hes keen to return home, even though his marriage and career are in tatters, and hes gone viral for stripping off while blind drunk in Piccadilly Circus! Daisy, however, has other ideas...

Louis gets a call saying his uncle Stanley has died and that hes the sole heir to his vineyard. But when Louis flies out to Queenstown and meets Stanleys stepdaughter Daisy at the airport he realises that sole heir isnt the operative phrase! explains Charles Edwards, who was newspaper editor Michael Gregson in Downton Abbey and now plays Louis in Under The Vines.

Hes attracted to Daisy, but when it becomes apparent that theyre linked in this inextricable way, he can tell that he's going to get bossed around!

After a quick look through Stanleys finances, Louis is determined to sell off Oakley. Sampling the vineyards BT wine [bloody terrible!] makes up his mind completely and he accepts an offer from neighbouring wine producers, Marissa (Sarah Peirse) and Don (John Bach).

Daisy, meanwhile, begins to experience remorse at how she soaked up Stanleys money and never so much as visited him

When they examine this apparent dump in the middle of nowhere hes keen to sell it and get out. But Daisy has more of a vision, reveals Charles.

Daisy's had this long term, very distant relationship with her stepfather Stanley and, after a while, she just started sending him a gift basket every year, as we all do with some of our relatives. I think subconsciously shes looking for something else.

Prior to meeting Daisys living a fraught and rootless life in Sydney, while Louis home life and professional career are in disarray

His marriage to Simone (Shortland Street star Sara Wiseman) is rocky. But he feels duty bound to make it work for their son Julian (TV newcomer Sam Gardner). Hes also taking the rap for his business partner, whos been embezzling funds, explains Charles Edwards, 52, who plays Louis.

Daisy's also at a crossroads. Something that Becs very keen to plant within the character is that shes of an age where she's had the fillers, she likes younger men, she's a socialite, donating at charity dos - the cheques bounce! - but she knows deep down that her life is kind-of empty.

In New Zealand Daisy awakens to that and is inspired to turn Oakley Winery around. Louis lost and needs leading, so he goes along with it. Hed never admit it, but hes intrigued by and fancies her, basically!

Under the Vines Season 1 was filmed on location in Central Otago, New Zealand in 2021.

We were based on the South Island and filmed between February and April last year. It was like stepping into another world. Its a lovely, real vineyard. They overgrew the vines and made it look shabbier than it is for filming," reveals Charles.

Throughout the series youll see it gradually improves as we discover this charming dilapidated place has potential. At weekends we did a bit of research and enjoyed some of the local produce!"

As soon as Louis and Daisy land in New Zealand they meet a host of characters including hapless lawyer Vic, two very different Oakley employees - optimistic employee Gus and enigmatic Tippy, plus married couple Don and Marissa, who have their sights on owning Oakley.

Lawyer Vic is played by Cohen Holloway (Top of the Lake) and hes untiringly hilarious, very funny and very warm, says Charles.

Vineyard employee Tippy (Killer Sofa star Trae Te Wiki) keeps popping up and scaring the hell out of Louis and Daisy. Shes a mystery but has magic bones as far as wines concerned. Other employee Gus (Golden Boy's Simon Mead) is hugely lovely and could solve all their problems if only theyd let him!

Then theres Don (Jack Irish star John Bach) and Marissa (Sweet Tooth's Sarah Peirse), the king and queen of the area. Theyre successful wine producers and have their eye on Oakley. They need toppling!

In more than one scene Louis gets legless. The most memorable? When he goes viral after being filmed drunk as a lord and running naked through Piccadilly Circus, earning the moniker, Piccadilly Willy.

Louis has got into a drinking habit, which he enjoys! But it gets him into trouble, laughs Charles. It was very funny filming the [naked Piccadilly Circus] sequence in a disused airport room in New Zealand wearing whats known as a modesty pouch - a bit of old stocking with tape on it. The glamour!

I really enjoy playing drunk. I stagger around beforehand to get off centre and then try and focus on something!

The cast and crew followed strict pandemic protocol when filming.

It was a bubble within a bubble. New Zealand itself was a bubble because it was Covid free and then we had our show bubble. It was a curious but joyful experience, says Charles.

We went to an outdoor concert to see Crowded House on a beautiful, warm night. I sent a video to a friend of mine back in England and he said That's like a message from the future. I loved the way he put that.

Yes! During the series Louis and Daisy become increasingly committed to Oakley Winery and the endearing ensemble characters so there will be a season 2 of Under The Vines.

Its a lovely, warm world to step into. Even though its a fish-out-of-water story its different, and thats in the writing, the humour and great actors. Its funny and touching, says Charles.

Youve got two lost souls connecting. Its inspiring in a way. Im very excited about going back in February to film the second series. Louis might have to loosen up a bit!

From the press release: Season two will see lovable socialite Daisy Monroe and London lawyer Louis Oakley continue to navigate running the Otago winery they inherited. They also have to navigate their feelings for each other but love, like a fine wine, is always complicated.

Along the way, Oakley Wines up-and-coming winemaker Tippy (Trae Te Wiki) faces challenges of her own when a rockstar French vintner is hired by a rival winery.

Production on the six-episode second season will commence early 2022 in picturesque Central Otago, New Zealand.

Star and Executive Producer Rebecca Gibney said: I am beyond thrilled that we were commissioned to commence Season 2 of Under the Vines even before it has gone to air. It shows such enormous faith in our series and I am very grateful to Acorn TV and TVNZ for their amazing support.

"To be given the opportunity to work with the phenomenally talented Charles Edwards and to showcase not only the incredible talent here in New Zealand but the majesty of the location in the South Island was such a gift and I have no doubt Season 2 will bring as much joy and heart this time around.

Under the Vines is created and co-written by Erin White (Other Peoples Problems, Doctor Doctor, The PMs Daughter) and produced by Libertine Pictures (Daffodils, Mystic) and EQ Media Group (Jack Irish, Doctor Doctor) in association with Hardy White Pictures. Acorn TV has all rights worldwide with the exception of TVNZ in New Zealand.

Follow this link:

Under the Vines season 1: release date, cast, interview, plot, trailer and all about the comedy drama set on a New Zealand vineyard - What To Watch

Leanne Hughes is still recovering from a broken shoulder after a crash on her e-bike. Photo / George Novak

The number of e-bike injuries in the Bay of Plenty has soared in recent years and a Tauranga woman injured in a crash says people should be more aware when buying one.

Leanne Hughes, 50, decided to sell her car and invest in an e-bike as a cheaper mode of transport.

On December 7, she was riding along Otumoetai Rd when she crashed, tipping over, with the bike on top of her. The impact of the crash broke Hughes' upper arm and she is still recovering from the ordeal weeks later.

Hughes waited for about two hours for an ambulance to take her to Tauranga Hospital and was comforted by "complete strangers" the entire time. It is an experience that still resonates with her today.

"It was just amazing, the kindness of people.

"I'm just so incredibly grateful."

Among the helpers were off-duty doctors who kneeled beside her on the path and gave her pain relief.

But the crash has knocked Hughes' confidence and she's unsure whether she'll ride her bike, her only form of transport, again.

Hughes said it had been about 30 years since she last rode a bike and when she bought the e-bike "nothing of safety was discussed". The salesperson appeared to be more focused on the sale, she said.

"I don't want to put them in a bad light or anything but I think people in shops should know . . . that safety element needs to be addressed.

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"People like myself assume it's one and the same - a bike and an e-bike are the same except one gives you power going up the hills."

Hughes said she would have gladly taken part in a demonstration ride or introductory course to e-bikes when she bought hers and recommended anyone considering an e-bike to do the same.

E-bikes were heavier, their weight distribution could be different, and they were faster and more powerful, she said.

During the past five years, there has been a steady surge of ACC payouts to people suffering injuries from e-bike related claims, and figures for this year so far look set to record another record number of claims.

In the Bay of Plenty in 2016, there were just four e-bike related claims. Last year, there were 102. Up to September 18, 2021, there were 100 - not including Hughes' crash.

The figures make the Bay region the third-highest for e-bike injuries behind Otago, which already has 137 claims this year to date, and Auckland with 180.

ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker said if someone was getting into e-bike riding for the first time, the organisation recommended taking a course as e-bikes were "very different" to traditional bikes.

There were several things cyclists could do to help themselves keep safe, he said.

"This could mean taking a moment to get the basics right, like checking you've got the right safety gear and that it fits you properly, or taking time to practise in a quiet, traffic-free area."

Whitaker said the organisation wanted people to continue to ride bikes but to be safe while doing so.

"There are heaps of health and wellbeing benefits from cycling, so we don't want to put the brakes on people getting out on their bikes."

It was important for all road users to look out for each other and give each other space, so everyone felt comfortable, he said.

Make sure your brakes, tyres, chain, gears and lights are all in good condition. Make sure you've got the right safety gear and that it fits you properly. It may pay to practise in a level, quiet and traffic-free area if it's been quite a while since your last ride. Take a course if you're getting into e-bike riding for the first time they're very different to traditional bikes. Plan your journey around routes where there isn't much traffic or other potential risks.

See the article here:

Bay of Plenty has some of New Zealand's highest e-bike injuries, ACC claims - New Zealand Herald

Prefer not to have a close encounter with an untested Covid sufferer this summer? Trade traditional summer hot spots for one of the many classic Kiwi beach towns that dont get the attention they deserve and youll certainly decrease the chances.

Whether youre after a Fiji substitute or ruggedly good-looking Westie, theres an underrated spot in Aotearoa to suit. Here are five of our favourites. Share yours in the comments or email travel@stuff.co.nz.

nelsontasman.nz/SUPPLIED

Paradise found: Tata Beach is often overlooked by visitors to Abel Tasman National Park.

Tucked away between better-known stretches of Golden Bay and the quiet northern end of Abel Tasman National Park, this tiny beach town boasts one of the best-looking beaches in the country.

Small but photogenically formed, its genuinely golden sands are wedged between bush-covered mountains and a calm, teal-coloured sea without a disfiguring McMansion or skyrise in sight. The beach is sheltered by the twin islands of Motu and Ngawhiti, also known as the Tata Islands, home to seals, penguins and New Zealands largest colony of spotted shags, who put on quite the show on Tata Beach just before sunrise each morning.

READ MORE:* Domestic tourism: The biggest winners in the second year since the Covid-19 pandemic struck NZ* World Famous in New Zealand: Fabulous Abel Tasman Drive is all about the scenery* Tiritiri Matangi: New Zealand's tiny slice of old-school Corfu

Family-run Golden Bay Kayaks offer the only kayaking tours in the northern reaches of Abel Tasman, where pockets of old-growth forest and footprint-free beaches really do exist. Paddle to secluded bays on a guided or self-guided tour, or hire a standup paddleboard to make like Moses.

The surrounding area is also a walkers paradise, with nearby options including the northernmost section of the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, and the lesser-known but equally lovely Grove Scenic Reserve, with its giant rata perched atop weird-looking limestone outcrops and panoramic views of Golden Bay. Rawhiti Cave, which the Department Conservation says has possibly the most diverse and extensive entrance and twilight zone flora of any cave in New Zealand, is also just down the road. Expect to find yourself in a Gollums lair replete with sculpture-like stalactites and stalagmites.

Set amid a native beech forest with spectacular ocean views, the off-grid Anahata Yoga Retreat is the place to come if relaxing in a tiny beach town isnt enough to calm your frazzled nerves. And after the year many of us have had, who would blame you?

CHRISTEL YARDLEY/STUFF

Whiritoa looks less gentrified than some of its Coromandel neighbours.

Chilling on the uncrowded white sands of this old-school Coromandel beach town, its hard to believe the holidaymaker magnets that are Whangamat and Waih Beach are just up and down the road.

Little more than a scattering of retro baches, a library, general store and that glorious surf beach, Whiritoa is a top choice for a laid-back beach break. Lifeguards patrol the main beach in season, and theres a stream at the northern end which is popular with kids and adults who prefer wallowing to battling the waves. Note that Whiritoa Beachs steep shore with heavy breaks can be dangerous, so make sure you swim between the flags during patrol hours.

Crossing the stream takes you to a short clifftop walkway, which winds between sun-bleached hills and the ocean en route to gnarly pohutukawa-fringed Waimana Bay.

A classic Kiwi dairy with extras, Whiritoa General Store & Cafe dishes up ultra fresh fish and chips along with giant burgers, toasted sammies, deep-fried hot dogs and onion rings, and ice creams. No need to feel guilty about overindulging: Youre perfectly positioned to walk, run, swim or surf it off afterwards.

If you dont think youll make it to the tropics anytime soon, this Far North settlement is a pretty sweet substitute. Share a photo of yourself on the white-hot sand lapped by cellophane-clear water and your mates will probably think youre on vacay in the Cook Islands or Fiji.

The snorkelling and diving are pretty good in these parts too, as is the fishing and seafood gathering. And the calm waters could have been made for standup paddleboarding and kayaking. If youre into kitesurfing youre in luck too Rangiputa has developed a reputation far beyond our fine shores for its often-perfect conditions.

Another classic Kiwi beach town, the place isnt big on non-natural attractions, but everything is a short drive away on the peninsula. Karikari Estate, where you can wine and dine in a beautifully tended garden overlooking the ocean, is just a short drive away, as is the 18-hole championship golf course at the 3000-hectare Carrington Estate, also home to a restaurant showcasing the regions outstanding produce. Cape Ringa/Te Reinga Wairua, Ninety Mile Beach and Doubtless Bay make for easy day trips too.

KELLY HODEL/STUFF

Port Waikato is a good choice for those looking for a traditional West Coast beach break.

Raglan gets all the glory when it comes to Waikato beach towns, but its little sister up north is quieter but just as much of a beauty. She may lack the bougie cafes and galleries that attract Aucklanders and Hamiltonians to Raglan in droves, but you can count that as a blessing if youre looking for a properly relaxed break.

Swim, surf or dig for pipis at Sunset Beach, home to an award-winning surf lifesaving patrol; scout for fossils around the Ports cliffs; dangle a line off the wharf in the hope of hooking a kahawai; and head to the sand dunes with a cold beverage in the evening for a sundowner with a difference. On the road to the dunes, youll find a couple of tennis courts, a playground with a flying fox and a library, which may come in handy if youve forgotten to bring a book. As always, if youre venturing into the water, swim between the flags during patrol hours and dont be afraid to chat to the lifeguards about any concerns.

If thats not enough to keep you amused, head about half an hour out of town toward Raglan to Limestone Downs (aka Weathertop Hollow in the Lord of the Rings films) and Nikau Cave, a kilometre-long glowworm grotto hidden amid fields filled with stacked pancake-like rocks.

If you dont have any luck with the fishing (you can also try set-netting for mullet and flounder at the river mouth), hit up Sunset Takeaways for burgers with homemade patties and quality fish and chips.

bennettandslater.co.nz

Sunset Point, Hokitika is a classic West Coast spot for a feed of fish and chips.

Many come for the technicolour gorge and move on. But their loss is longer-staying visitors gain in the form of a blissfully uncrowded, wave-battered, black sand and pebble beach.

Home to little blue penguins, the beach is great for swimming and surfing if youre experienced, or simply a soul-soothing stroll. If youre on an evening walk, finish up at Sunset Point, where you can chomp on fish and chips as the sun does its daily disappearing act above the Tasman Sea. If youre not an experienced swimmer, stay out of the water as the beach is not patrolled and the waves can be deceptively powerful and there can be rips and holes.

No visit to the West Coast town is complete without a photo stop at the glacier-carved gorge, where rock flour ground over millennia lends the water its surreal blue hue. The Hokitika Gorge Walk is one of the West Coasts most popular and, in 2020, was extended to form a one-hour loop with a new 90-metre swing bridge.

You can also stretch your legs on the West Coast Treetops Walk, where the view from the 40-metre-high tower is worth the entry fee alone. On a clear day you should be able to see both the Southern Alps and Tasman Sea.

Brook Sabin/Stuff

South of Hokitika is a world-class tree walk, with views of the Southern Alps (video published September 2020).

Anyone with even a passing interest in mountain biking should tackle at least a small section of the West Coast Wilderness Trail, one of the 22 NZ Cycle Trails. Stretching 136km from Greymouth to Ross, the trail traces old packhorse tracks, tramlines, railways and water races on its way past thick rainforest, glacial rivers and remote lakes and beaches with views of the alps.

Out-of-towners may be surprised to learn that Hokitikas something of an arts, crafts and shopping hub, with many local artists seeking inspiration in the pounamu (greenstone) found in the Arahura River. Dip into galleries showcasing their works as you make your way along the towns historic walkway, which winds its way past grand old buildings from the gold rush era.

Hokitika mightnt be renowned for its nightlife, but you can have plenty of after-hours fun at the Glow-worm Dell - a free, down-home version of the famous Waitomo Caves.

If your trip coincides with the Hokitika Wild Food Festival, the event is another must-do even if youre not into extreme adventure eats. Options usually range from the truly wild - think crocodile bites and fish heads to tame options such as hot dogs, pastries and international fare. Dave Dobbyn, Greg Johnson and Zed are set to play this years festival on March 12, while the Feral Fashion contest puts a westie spin on racing circuit fashion in the field events.

Where are your favourite underrated NZ beach towns? Share in the comments or email travel@stuff.co.nz

Read more from the original source:

Five of New Zealand's most underrated beach towns - Stuff.co.nz

As Omicron continues to proliferate at astonishing rates, Keith Lynch explains that Covid-19 vaccines very much do work against the new variant.

I'll get right to the point. Yes, the vaccines work against Omicron. Its just that they arent necessarily doing what wed love them to do.

Among the key reasons the variant is spreading so fast is that its excellent at evading some of the protection against infection we have gained by getting vaccinated or by having previously had Covid-19.

That does not mean the vaccines have failed, however. In fact, one of the key reasons why Omicron appears to be less severe than Delta is precisely because of all those vaccinations.

READ MORE:* Covid-19: The NSW Omicron outbreak is not what you think* Untangling what Omicron means for New Zealand's approach to the pandemic* Covid-19 NZ: The pro-choice argument against vaccines, explained

Think of these as your first line of defence.

Thats not the only protection we have after vaccination. As Dr Fran Priddy, clinical Director of Vaccine Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand, previously told Stuff; the body also makes whats called B and T cells. This layer of protection is called cellular immunity.

This response is more robust and long-lasting. The B cells can pump out new antibodies when needed, and T cells kick into action once the virus makes its way past that first line of infection.

We learned last year, however, that Covid-19 antibodies diminish over time. Youll have seen this described as waning immunity. This is perfectly normal, by the way.

What it meant, though, was that the virus was able to take root in immunised people as that first line of defence wasnt necessarily as strong as immediately after vaccination.

But remember those T and B cells are still there ready to go. They step up and prevent most vaccinated people getting severely ill after contracting Covid-19.

Omicron is a highly mutated version of Covid-19, but its still Covid-19. Most of its mutations are on a part of the virus called its spike protein.

The antibodies our first line of defence typically bind onto the spike protein in an attempt to stop the virus taking hold.

Vaccinated peoples Covid antibodies are having a tough time, though, with Omicrons change-up.

But again, its not just about antibodies. The good news, as Professor Paul Hunter of the University of East Anglia explains, is that there are very few mutations on the parts of the virus targeted, for instance, by T cells.

And while Covid-19 has mutated, it can only change so much, Priddy says. Also, those T cells are much better at targeting the parts of the virus that, broadly speaking, stay the same.

Indeed, a recent study from scientists in Hong Kong and Melbourne support this. While the number of infections may rise considerably as a consequence of Omicrons ability to evade antibodies, robust T cell immunity provides hope that, similar to other VOCs (variants of concern), the level of protection against severe disease would remain high, the authors wrote in an article published in the Viruses journal.

OK. Number one: a third dose will bring about a new wave of eager antibodies that will reduce the chances of you catching Omicron (and Delta) in the first place.

Thats not all. A booster will also induce a process called affinity maturation, Priddy explains. This essentially means after repeated exposure to the vaccine (or indeed the virus) the immune system improves itself. It becomes more refined and better able to fight back.

Dr Nikki Moreland, an Associate Professor in Infection and Immunity at the University of Auckland, equates this to studying something complicated.

When you read something the first time around, you kinda know whats going on. You read it again and your understanding improves. Then you read it for a third time and you really get it.

One question for immunologists is: how many doses will be needed in the long term?

And there may well be diminishing returns, Priddy says. A lot of childhood vaccines, for instance, involve three doses five or six arent necessary.

Well start with the bad news.

For the reasons Ive outlined above, two doses of the Pfizer vaccine offers less protection against symptomatic Omicron than with Delta, according to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Their January 6 technical report suggests that in those first few weeks after a second dose, the vaccine is about 60 per cent effective at halting mild illness.

Theres a temporal aspect to this, too. That number drops after three-or-so months as the antibody numbers wane.

A booster certainly appears to ramp up protection from symptomatic illness, at least in the short term, as you see the dataset below.

Thats not to say the vaccines wont stop some Omicron infections. The new variant is just more likely to get around our first line of defence.

A recent Danish study (yet to be peer-reviewed) supports these findings, suggesting that Omicron is much more adept at evading the protection the vaccines offer against infection.

The researchers wrote: Our findings confirm that the rapid spread of the Omicron VOC primarily can be ascribed to the immune evasiveness rather than an inherent increase in the basic transmissibility.

Theres another thing to consider here: If youre exposed to Omicron, theres a chance you could end up being infected with Covid-19 but have no symptoms.

Another South African study (also yet to be peer-reviewed) suggests that Omicron causes more asymptomatic cases than the other variants.

This high prevalence of asymptomatic infection is likely a major factor in the widespread, rapid dissemination of the variant globally, even among populations with high prior rates of SARS-COV-2 infection, the researchers noted.

All of this helps explain its alarming spread.

Philipp Schulze/AP

Sheep and goats stand together in Schneverdingen, Germany, as they form an approximately 100-metre long syringe to promote vaccinations against Covid-19.

And now to the good news.

It appears, so far at least, the proportion of cases ending up in the ICU or dying with Omicron is lower than with previous variants. This is likely a product of a few things: Omicron being less severe and the immunity accumulated via vaccination and prior infections.

Another UKHSA analysis has found the risk of someone being admitted to hospital with Omicron was approximately one-third of that for Delta. This analysis took into account a range of factors including age and vaccination status and points to an inherent reduction in the new variants severity.

A further examination (combing all vaccine brands) offers an indication of how well the vaccines prevent severe illness from Omicron.

It suggests that vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation for three doses is about 88 per cent. (Key takeaway: boosters work.)

It also notes:

Lets take a breath here. This looks far from ideal at first glance; with Delta, two doses of Pfizer offered higher protection against hospitalisations. Three doses was even better.

But remember, Omicron appears intrinsically less severe. Even if you were not vaccinated, youd have less chance of ending up in hospital compared to Delta. Were working from a different baseline.

Vaccination, particularly a third dose, then further reduces the chances of you ending up in hospital or ICU.

These findings are supplemented by data from South Africa which shows two doses of the Pfizer vaccine is 70 per cent effective against hospitalisation with Omicron.

Encouraging new data from over the weekend also suggested that after three doses, protection against hospitalisation stays close to 90 per cent for people aged 65+ for at least three months or so.

Yes, it looks like it.

Dr Stephen Kissler, an infectious disease expert from Harvard University, said researchers were still waiting more on Pfizer-only epidemiological data, but early signs were encouraging.

South Africa saw far fewer deaths relative to cases probably because so much of the population had immunity from prior Delta infections, he said.

If Delta infection protected against severe Omicron disease, there's good reason to hope that the Pfizer vaccine would do the same.

He also points to Israel, which like New Zealand, is heavily vaccinated with Pfizer (although with far more boosters in arms). Cases are on the rise in the country, deaths are not.

It may still be too early to see much variation in deaths there, since theres such a lag between cases and deaths, but still the fact that were not really seeing anything so far is encouraging, Kissler said.

Pulling from a range of international sources, Professor Paul Glasziou of Bond University in Australia, outlines a scenario that suggests for those who have had at least two doses the chances of dying from Omicron are likely similar to the flu.

In the unvaccinated, the outcomes are significantly worse.

The problem with Omicron, as he notes, is that it creates so many cases so quickly. In well-vaccinated countries ...Omicron seems to be like having months of flu season compressed into a couple of weeks, swamping health care.

This is why the virus is causing such problems in Britain and Australias New South Wales.

And, of course, there are still plenty of unvaccinated people still out there.

I know. It is summer and case numbers are low in Aotearoa. You probably remember, though, all that discussion about Delta being able to find those vulnerable unvaccinated pockets.

By and large, so far, that hasnt happened. The incredibly high vaccination rates across New Zealand have seemingly helped keep Delta in check.

But as I have explained, Omicron is less likely to bounce off the vaccinated. Its incredibly good at hitching a ride on vaccinated people and going on to infect others who have absolutely no protection.

Indeed, a recent UK report notes: The percentage of patients admitted to critical care with confirmed Covid-19 that were unvaccinated decreased from 75 per cent in May 2021 to 47 per cent in October 2021, consistent with the decreasing proportion of the general population who were unvaccinated, before increasing again to 61 per cent in December 2021.

Theres other data below that shows the dramatic reduction in risk in the vaccinated.

The optimistic take here is that after the Omicron variant washes through a population, theres a huge boost to the collective immunity.

New Zealand epidemiologist Tony Blakely has talked about allowing a manageable number of Omicron cases, suggesting: If everyone is going to be exposed to Covid-19 at some point (which seems likely), then it would make sense for those who refuse to get vaccinated to take their chances with Omicron; the next variant may be more virulent again.

This piece isnt about debating the merits of this argument. There would clearly be huge costs associated with a huge Omicron surge in New Zealand. And there are obvious concerns about long-term implications of infection.

But Ill try to answer this question as best I can: would an Omicron infection (assuming the person survives, obviously) provide an extra layer of protection?

Theoretically yes, Priddy told me. But there are, of course, a lot of unknowns.

Hold on, you might say! Ive read that mid-December report from the Imperial College in London that found that the risk of people who had already had Covid-19 getting reinfected with Omicron was 5.4 times greater than that of the Delta variant.

I also spent Christmas reading that South African study that suggested that Omicron can indeed escape the immunity that people who survived Delta had.

Remember though, there are two things at play here: protection against infection and protection against severe disease.

MONIQUE FORD/Stuff

People in Wellington queue for vaccine boosters.

Throughout the pandemic, previous infections have appeared to offer protection against severe disease. In a recent letter to the New England Journal of Medicine, citing data that pre-dates Omicron, Qatar experts wrote: Reinfections had 90 per cent lower odds of resulting in hospitalisation or death than primary infections. (This study only included unvaccinated people).

The authors added: It needs to be determined whether such protection against severe disease at reinfection lasts for a longer period, analogous to the immunity that develops against other seasonal common-cold coronaviruses, which elicit short-term immunity against mild reinfection but longer-term immunity against more severe illness with reinfection.

A Swedish study also suggested that the T Cells induced by both prior infection or vaccination hold up well against Omicron.

Moreland also explained that yes, theoretically, hybrid immunity that is someone who has been vaccinated and had the virus should have a more robust immune response in the future.

But what happens if a brand-new variant arrives? Will it just ignore everything that has gone before? It could happen, but its unlikely.

In a Twitter thread this week, Professor Francois Balloux, the director of University College Londons genetics institute, wrote: No variant can become totally impervious to vaccines and boosters and protection from prior infection. A variant can largely escape 'neutralising antibodies' as Omicron does, and thus be more prone to (re-)infect immunised hosts.

Kissler agrees with this take. We're very unlikely to get a new SARS-CoV-2 variant that totally evades all of our immunity. Our T-cells, in particular, are basically engineered to keep up with pathogen variants.

Moreland says the same. While she acknowledges there are no certainties, a variant thats so novel it completely evades vaccines does not seem plausible.

The virus needs to get into our cells to cause infection. The changes needed to totally escape our immune response would be huge, I doubt it would then be able to enter our cells.

See the original post:

Covid-19: Will the vaccine protect me from Omicron? - Stuff.co.nz

KEVIN STENT/Stuff

Jacinta Gulasekharam is the founder of Dignity NZ, which advocates to end period poverty in New Zealand

Jacinta Gulasekharam is the co-founder and director of Dignity NZ, which advocates for period equity in Aotearoa. Businesses across New Zealand have partnered with the social enterprise, providing free period products to employees, which Dignity matches and gifts to youth and community groups. Gulasekharam successively lobbied the Government to provide free period products in schools and is a finalist for the University of Canterbury Young New Zealander of the Year 2022. Originally from Fielding, she shares what she loves about living in Wellington.

What does it mean to be a Wellingtonian?

Someone who is curious and quite politically engaged as well, whos keen to talk about big ideas and changes that need to happen in society ... and brave enough to face the weather!

I live here because ...

I live in Wellington because its central to all of my interests and activities, its a great place to work, get coffee, shop or get exercise. Its full of talented people whatever event you go to you definitely recognise a face, and it feels like a place where change can be created.

Dignity was born in a student flat in Kelburn, and weve been in lots of places around the city, most of our first and early corporates that joined Dignity were from here, like Flick Electric and Xero. Wellington is a great place to start a social business. There are a lot of like-minded people that are very willing to give you a go.

READ MORE:* My Wellington: The Basin, the bank and a test match to watch * My Wellington: Birds, coffee, nature, and a healthy dose of democracy* My Wellington: You can't beat Wellington in a good southerly

Ross Giblin/Stuff

The City Gallery regularly has interesting art, Jacinta Gulasekharam says, who also keeps an eye out for public art pieces on the city streets.

What's your favourite place to take in some art?

The City Gallery is really interesting to walk around, my favourite one thats ever been is the Lego exhibition. The Te Papa exhibits are amazing, especially the Alice and Wonderland one.

But I really like paying attention to the art around the city that pops up, the murals, including under the bridge by the waterfront. Theres a lot of art pieces no matter where you look around, you just have to pay attention.

What is your ideal night out in Wellington?

Some really nice drinks and nibbles somewhere, Im a huge fan of ABV and their margaritas. Its a little rooftop bar above The Grand on Courtenay Place. Its in a really cute spot that overlooks the city great drinks, great food, and lovely staff, its got a funky, old-school elevator you go up too.

John Nicholson/Stuff

Khandallah's village feel reminds Jacinta Gulasekharam of growing up in Fielding (file photo.)

What part of the city are you most at home in?

I think Id say Khandallah because I lived there for 3 years. The little village really reminded me of Fielding, where Im from. Theres a cute little Hells Pizza House, a little caf, and you can tell the New World employs a lot of the high school students that are around. I felt very at home there, its just out of the city, with a beautiful train ride.

Where is the best place to swim?

Everyone will say this, but going to Oriental with a book, taking some snacks, and swimming. I also go to Freyberg pool to do laps, in the fast or slow lane, depending on how Im feeling. Its nice to be near the water, my walk to work is going past the water every day, and I think theres something very grounding about that.

Kent Blechynden/Stuff

Jacinta Gulasekharem finds walking past Parliament every day inspiring (File photo.)

What is Wellington's best feature?

Its really nerdy but I think Parliament. I think theres something very cool about seeing the Parliament building, when you see it all the time on the news, and you just know whats happening in there. With my campaign we got to go and meet the Prime Minister on the 9th floor, and it was cool to be inside a building we passed so many times at uni.

What does it add to the city, having parliament right there?

I think theres a bit of hope with that, that you can help make change happen for the rest of New Zealand, that the decisions that get made there are really important.

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My Wellington: 'It feels like a place where change can be created' - Stuff.co.nz

When Racing Minister Grant Robertson revealed his review on greyhound racing in September last year, it looked like the possible end for a sport that has been long debated over in New Zealand.

It was the latest in a series of reviews and reports designed to improve industry practices following the WHK report in 2013, and the Hansen in 2017 but this seemed to have more substance than its predecessors.

Lamenting the industry and issuing strong dissatisfaction with the lack of progress made since the Hansen report, Robertson said the greyhound industry must now finally make the improvements needed by the end of 2022, or risk closure.

It was a shape up or ship out-style message that identified three fundamental issues that needed to be addressed: data recording, transparency of all activities, and animal welfare.

READ MORE:* Investigation launched into safety of greyhound track at Whanganui* Winning greyhound tests positive for horse drug that trainer claims was from tainted meat* Greyhound trainer fined $350 for hitting winning dog

Green Party MP Chloe Swarbrick, a long-time campaigner for the closure of the industry, believes the message issued by Robertson is the strongest one to date but one that does have to be backed up by action.

Joseph Johnson/Stuff

The greyhound racing industry has been under scrutiny for decades.

It may seem a promising step forward, but those who have been battling for change for years fear it could be another review in a string of reviews that calls attention to the issues, but does little to remedy them.

Cut through the noise made by the reports, and people are still voicing the same concerns they had decades ago.

The numbers of dog deaths and injuries 232 and 900 respectively in the past year remains at an unsettlingly high number. Breeders are still being accused of mistreating or doping the animals. The past 12 months alone have seen trainers fined for assaulting their companions, dogs plied with methamphetamine and other substances, and racing suspended at a main raceway following ongoing concerns surrounding the safety of its dogs.

Aaron Cross, co-founder of the Greyhound Protection League of New Zealand, has dedicated more than a decade to advocating for the safety and wellbeing of greyhounds. He says the spread of issues that continue to alarm activists is wide and far-reaching.

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Greyhound racing at Hatrick Raceway in Whanganui was suspended earlier this year.

Its the severe injuries caused directly from racing. Its the training techniques which reinforce harmful behaviour, like chasing fluffy things and rushing out of gates as soon as they open, which causes troubles when they are rehomed. Its the euthanasia of slow and underperforming animals, he says, highlighting how euthanising in itself has been the topic of hot debate for naysayers of the industry.

In 2017, the Hansen report uncovered unacceptably high rates of dog euthanasia, with a large proportion of dogs put down with no reason noted.

Robertson said in his report that Greyhound Racing New Zealands own data spanning the previous four years revealed 923 dogs had been euthanised, with no reason given for 462 of the deaths.

The latest annual report by GRNZ shows that 232 racing greyhounds died this year, 27 of which were euthanised, says Sean Hannan, the companys chairman.

SAFE NZs Will Appelbe says hes spoken with a number of people in the industry who all fear the rapidly declining numbers are not an example of an industry bettering itself for the sake of its dogs, but one willing to do everything it can to save itself even if that means harming them further.

ROBERT KITCHIN/Stuff

Racing Minister Grant Robertson put the industry formally on notice earlier this year.

There seems to be a drop in euthanised dogs over the last couple of years, which, on principle, sounds good, but what were worried about is that there could be dogs that are actually suffering with injuries, and then not being euthanised when they arguably should be.

Fears that the industry is doing everything in its power to keep numbers low is strongly disputed by Hannan.

Last season 27 greyhounds were euthanised due to racing incidents, but the anti-racing groups suggest this is excessive and sufficient reason to ban an entire industry, he said.

Hannan says he is proud of the significant progress achieved in the past season, which has had a strong focus on the transparency of information, and says the accusation proffered by activists is untrue: Unjustified euthanasia has been eliminated from the programme entirely.

Hannan is one of a dwindling yet steadfast number fighting for the industry, a minority that are often forgotten about when most of the focus is trained on the dogs themselves.

RICKY WILSON/Stuff

Chloe Swarbrick has been a long-time campaigner for the demise of the greyhound racing industry.

The demise of the industry would mean a loss of jobs for the likes of trainers and racetrack owners some who have dedicated their lives to the sport, upholding a tradition that has been passed down through generations.

The sports history in Aotearoa stretches as far back as the late 19th century, when coursing which saw dogs using sight rather than scent to hunt live rodents was first introduced. The very first clubs were founded in 1876, in Southland, and the New Zealand Federation of Coursing Clubs formed the succeeding year.

Hannan says there would be many unintended consequences across New Zealand if greyhound racing were to lose its social licence.

This would not be limited to the economic, social and wellbeing of those directly linked to the industry.

There would also be the ripple effect onto the wider New Zealand community, including suppliers, service providers and the families who adopt our greyhounds once they have been retired from racing, he says, adding the country would also have to deal with the loss of the much-loved breed.

Joseph Johnson/Stuff

Greyhound Racing New Zealand chairman Sean Hannah says significant progress has been made in terms of animal welfare in the past season.

John Roberts has been the chairman of the Auckland Greyhound Racing Club for nine years, and a greyhound owner for the past 25. As a man who is absolutely passionate about the welfare and upkeep of the animals he describes as wonderful athletes, he says a full banning of the sport would be a blow to a longstanding loyal community.

The sport is an essential part of the New Zealand Racing setup. It provides employment for many and make no mistake these people are passionate in the care and attention of their animals.

Roberts says those at AGRC were somewhat dismayed at Robertsons review, which he says used historical data and failed to give consideration to the huge efforts made to improve welfare, rehoming, track preparations and data recording.

He notes on the trainers who are dedicated 24/7 to caring for their dogs, the punters who continue to return, and the dogs who, apparently, love to race.

One only has to be near when it is load-up time to see the excitement of our canine athletes, he says.

It may ring true that some owners regard their dogs as companions, and treat them as such, but there is still a disconcerting number of owners who favour generating profit over the wellbeing of animals.

While efforts are being made in terms of better track safety, rehabilitation and rehoming, there are still injuries occurring, and problems that occur long after the rehoming process.

The dogs who are rehomed through the likes of Greyhounds as Pets and other organisations face continuous health problems, and often struggle to adjust to being pets. As Cross mentioned earlier, their training to chase and rush out of gates can come back to haunt them long after their racing days are over not to mention the underlying anxiety and mood disorders that are often overlooked.

As Swarbrick puts it: We can all bicker and argue about the numbers and whether they are good enough, but the core point remains that that number still represents suffering, no matter how small.

Read the original here:

A sport on its last legs - can greyhound racing in New Zealand survive? - Stuff.co.nz

The loss of jobs and income anxiety, and lack of transport are the main barriers to getting help.

The bar was set at the first stop on the first day of South Seas Healthcares new mobile clinic.

A nine-year-old boy had been getting treatment for brain injuries after being found lodged between a bed and wall. He hadnt attended any follow-up appointments in weeks, his mother was not responding to calls or letters, and the practice wanted to know why.

It was just the case the tara, south Auckland -based general practices new service had been established to address.

The concept is simple: put two nurses in a campervan and send them out to check on anyone who, for whatever reason, cant make it into the practice.

And the problem, says mobile lead Cherry Elisaia, could be seen in the mothers eyes the moment she opened the door. The property was home to four families, it was packed, and this solo mother was stressed beyond endurance.

Her sons care came on top of her day-to-day responsibilities and was divided across orthopaedic specialists, the spinal unit, general practice and the Ministry of Social Development (MSD); she did not have a car.

She lost control of his appointments and just froze, says Ms Elisaia.

The mother soon realised her South Seas visitors were there to help, not to threaten or take her son, and her tears flowed. The memory of that day has become motivational fuel for the three team members, Ms Elisaia, registered nurse Niteeka Naidu, and support worker and driver Tasi Eniata.

With the teams support, the mother has reconnected with the practice, where the wellbeing hub is also ensuring she receives ongoing help and her financial entitlements. The change, they say, has been as dramatic as it has been rewarding. The story is related to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa as the trio finish their morning briefing.

We tag along to see how their day pans out. Calls of see you guys and have a great day sound out as all three of the team head out the door.

Most of our stops will be cold calls to patients who have disappeared from the clinics waiting room despite the need for ongoing treatment and multiple attempts to make contact.

Its a Wednesday, the second of three days a week spent seeing new patients. Mondays are about triaging the fresh referrals and planning the week, and Fridays are dedicated to the most urgent follow-ups.

In the month after that first visit on 17 May, the mobile clinic received more than 100 referrals. Most are from South Seas, others from agencies such as MSD and Work and Income.

South Seas mobile team is a trial approach that will be assessed at the end of the year. Two months in, they are already exposing the need hidden behind closed doors and pulled curtains.

Patient self-referrals are also being taken but not all are accepted. As word gets out that nurses can come to you, they have heard from chancers saying they need a home visit because the traffic is heavy. Yeah, nah.

Todays schedule features six stops, starting in the outskirts of tara, then heading south to Manurewa, before returning via Mngere. Four are to chase up repeat did not attends (DNAs).

This may seem a lot of resource to spend knocking on a door but, as they have found, there is no telling why a patient has suddenly fallen silent.

Our first stop is straightforward: an elderly woman, too frail to leave her home, who is being monitored for haemochromatosis. A quick wellness check and bloods, and were happy to leave her.

Our next visit looks to be gnarly, which is why Chanelle Robinson, a navigator with South Seas wellbeing hub, is along for the ride.

Ms Robinson is not giving much away, but the patient cant leave the house (Youll understand why), and needs urgent medical and welfare assistance. The team put on their biggest smiles as they knock and enter the home.

That was really good, he was in tears, says Ms Elisaia when they return. Despite 20 years of nursing, she is almost in tears herself.

The man they have just seen is a solo dad, who has fallen through wide systemic cracks.

Growing up in Samoa, he had been treated there for lymphoma before immigrating to Levin as a skilled worker.

After settling in, he and his wife had two children and were just making a life for themselves, when his lymphoma returned, with the added complication of his single tumour becoming two. But he had a great relationship with his GP, who organised a dietitian and specialist support.

Then his wife died and, without access to social housing, he and his children were sent to tara three years ago; his medical records were lost in the process. His support evaporated, and his weight ballooned.

The good news was, he had got his weight down from 307kg to 270kg. But with his tumours now the size of footballs, he cannot walk properly or leave home without assistance, and his toileting is dependent on his daughter, in year 9 at school, and teenaged son, who is working and studying part-time.

The mans tears, the team tells me, were because someone, anyone, cared.

Hes motivated to get going and his head space is good, says Ms Elisaia, but hes stuck, lost in the system, and needs medical attention.

He told them he was grateful for the visit, saying, I just cant come out to see you.

The nurses pause for a moment to process, then: Okay, Tasi, where to now?

The trial arose out of COVID-19, from connections formed between practice, community and NGOs during the ongoing response, and the deep need for help within south Aucklands communities.

South Seas Healthcare chief executive Silao Vaisola-Sefo says it is also a means of reconnecting those who lost touch with the practice over lockdown.

We know people dont come in unless they are really sick and during lockdown about 70 per cent of consultations were virtual so we know people werent coming in but, even when things went back to normal, we still werent seeing them.

So, we see the mobile service as filling the gap between our community outreach work and the pop-up clinics.

The service has a budget of about $500,000, which comes from Ministry of Health, Counties Manukau DHB and South Seas overhead budget, with the specification that the focus is on health needs created by the pandemic.

A second vehicle is now a possibility. Similar programmes also are set to start, at Turuki Healthcare in Mngere and The Fono in west Auckland.

Ms Elisaia, the team leader, was born in Dunedin and raised in Western Samoa. She is the daughter of mental health specialist and GP Malaefou Elisaia, who helped establish psychiatric care in Samoa and, with his wife, a nurse, formed an island-hopping mobile health team.

Ms Elisaia went on to become one of a group of Auckland nurses who headed to Darwin five years ago to find work.

After working in Aboriginal health, she was signed to a lucrative new role setting up and rolling out a cardiothoracic unit in a large trauma centre when she flew home last March for her daughters graduation. Then lockdown hit.

At first it felt like a holiday but, after five months, she felt twitchy; she took up the role of lead nurse at the Waipuna COVID-19 assessment centre.

When that closed, she moved to the tara COVID centre, and it wasnt long before Mr Vaisola-Sefo wandered over to discuss a mysterious new mobile service that may or may not happen.

This looked like her opportunity to follow her much-missed late fathers wishes: He always told me Pacific people are under-represented in healthcare, so go work with Pacific people, and this has been the first time Ive felt like Ive been doing that. I now see being stuck in New Zealand as a blessing.

For her part, Ms Naidu migrated from Fiji in 1996 and got into aged care with Counties Manukau DHB before life came at her hard. After becoming a mother, she lost her husband to cancer in 2019.

She says the mobile clinic has become an invigorating change of pace with child-friendly hours. Im just grateful to have this opportunity, its something completely different for me. Her experience in palliative care, unfortunately, is already proving useful.

Driver and admin person Mr Eniata, is a 23-year-old who had been labouring on building sites when a cousin and nurse at the Glen Innes COVID-19 assessment centre suggested he get involved: Climbing around putting panels on buildings wasnt a good look for me, so I took a [chance] and Ive just rolled with it.

After starting off in security, he shifted to the tara centre, where he joined the mobile team and is being trained to provide basic medical assistance, including COVID-19 vaccinations. With a little prodding, he may eventually have a crack at nursing.

He says being able to help make a difference within his community is a source of pride. His physical presence also provides reassurance to his colleagues.

Dogs are a constant worry, as is the reaction of people who may have reasons for staying under the radar. The nurses have already had several instances where someone is clearly home, but their knocks and calls are stubbornly ignored. As we drive up silent cul-de-sacs, its rare to see people out. But silhouettes can be seen moving behind curtains, so we know our progress is being watched.

Im told the reactions were worse before Mr Eniatas aunty got involved with an idea.

The nurses had been working in scrubs, which seemed to alarm people, so they decided they needed a uniform. A rummage through auntys Henderson shop turned up the perfect Polynesian fabric with the South Seas colours, blue and purple, and a dash of pink, the colour of warmth, wellbeing and caring, says Mr Eniata. Its an honour to be able to go into peoples homes, so we need to look good.

By the end of our day, patients have been treated and our four DNAs were now accounted for, a rare accomplishment, apparently.

One had been uncontactable since tests revealed abnormal results. She is now back in touch with her GP and was another of those visited who burst into tears.

In a stroke of luck, the nurses also met the wife of a man with diabetes who had been missing for three months, so hadnt had his quarterly blood tests and health-coach sessions.

The final two patients of the day were in good health, had their contact details updated, and received opportunistic flu vaccinations.

Such work means coming face to face with harsh realities, says Ms Elisaia, and they arent restricted to living conditions.

Inflexible bureaucracies are an ongoing challenge, and the team remains baffled by a battle with MSD over a man in his 20s with renal failure and requiring dialysis three times a week. Despite letters from his GP and a specialist, they ended up arguing with officials who point-blank refused to believe a man so young could be that sick.

Unfortunately, the time spent following up such cases means the clinics ability to take on new patients is being compromised and, says Ms Elisaia, another van will soon be needed.

Its not as if they are at risk of running out of work: The conditions we are still finding people in, and especially the health conditions we have seen, are just surreal, and the loss of jobs and income, anxiety, and lack of transport are the main barriers to getting help. Then there are patients who wont seek medical attention because of their residence status, or they simply arent aware of the resources available to them.

Its just sad, so for me its about teaching people to take back control of their health and being involved in getting their health back. Education, or just being an advocate, is key. Its about letting people know there is support out there, says Ms Elisaia.

That is the positive in this story, there is help out there, and we just have to navigate them towards finding it.

Link:

Caring enough to knock on the right doors - New Zealand Doctor Online