HELEN WHITE, LABOUR LIST MP

STREAMING GUIDE MARCH 2022

LOCAL NEWS HELEN WHITE: LABOUR LIST MP BASED IN AUCKLAND CENTRAL

As we know, cases of Omicron are rising exponentially across New Zealand and especially in our city, Auckland.

By any measure the Government vaccination rollout and now booster programme has been a great success. Every District Health Board is at above 90% vaccinated, 1.8 million New Zealanders have now had their booster and our mortality rates from Covid-19 are among the lowest in the world.

As an MP, I receive emails expressing disquiet over vaccinations and the use of vaccine mandates quite a bit. I always respond to these emails in a respectful way. I think it is important people feel acknowledged and heard, and moreover, they are really listened to. I grew up in a family where apart from tetanus, I was not vaccinated. I think this has given me an understanding for how naturally this scepticism of vaccinations can come to many people. I have changed my views over the years as I have seen the merit of the protection it offers against disease.

I remember being very wary when my first child was born but becoming much more comfortable with vaccines over the years. I try to answer the emails I get on this subject from my own experience and with respect. I feel the same way over responding to concerns over mandates. I appreciate there are strong views about this and as an employment lawyer I am naturally wary of such tools and value people’s security of income, but the evidence is that mandates have been a highly effective strategy overseas and have been working to control the spread of Covid-19 here too. I recognise however, that this tool must be used carefully.

The content of the emails I get ranges from principled, thoughtful responses, to ones that are accusatory and assert things as facts which I know are simply not true. Some suggest politicians and leaders are calculating to harm others and use labels like “criminals”. The reality is our leaders and health advisers are making decisions in good faith. Whether for or against the policy of the Government, surely long-term it is important to the health of our democracy and sense of community that we don’t lose our capacity to empathise with each other.

The first step in assuring that is starting with the assumption that most people are well-motivated. Even if you are distrustful of politicians, it’s hard to argue that those who work in health and science are some of our most highly dedicated professionals. What doesn’t help with empathy and trust towards those guiding this Covid strategy is misinformation which suggests the opposite is true and the motivation is nefarious. For example, one recent email to me confidently asserted that I had had a saline substitute, while encouraging others to be vaccinated. So for the record, I have had all three doses. My arm felt a little sore for a couple of days and I lacked energy the day after, but that was the only reaction I got, lucky me.

I had to work hard to convince my mother to get her vaccinations as she is 81, and I was really worried I would lose her if she got the virus. She had always been questioning of vaccinations, so I only had a few as a child. We worked through this together. She has now had all three doses and my whanau and I are greatly relieved. She had to change the habit of a lifetime and I am very grateful to her for doing so because she matters so much to the rest of us.

I want to assure the readers of this article that the Government and all those advising us on our Covid-19 response are doing our best to navigate our way through a very difficult situation. I believe the path forward will need us all to show respect and empathy. (HELEN WHITE)  PN

www.labour.org.nz/helenwhite

Vaccination status of total cases and hospitalisations since August 2021

Source: Ministry of Health The Ministry of Health is classing all children under 12 as ineligible for vaccine, even if they have had a dose. Data includes people hospitalised with Covid-19, but not always due to Covid-19. Vaccination status of deceased people are updated when data is released, not daily. This data is only released in batches for privacy reasons.

The February meeting of Ponsonby U3A saw members zooming in to a riveting presentation from MOTAT’s tramway project coordinator, James Duncan, as he told the story of the arrival of the first electric trams in Auckland.

His enthusiasm was infectious as he outlined some of the trials, tribulations, tragedies, battles and successes of bringing the trams to Auckland. It was brought to life with a large number of digital images, many rare and not seen previously, of this revolutionary form of transport that could propel itself along as if by magic, without horses or a steam engine in front.

The British-owned Auckland Electric Tramways Company built the system and operated it for 17 years up to the end of the first World War, when, with declining profits, it gave in to Auckland Council demands and accepted the council’s offer of 1.2 million pounds for the entire tramway system.

Infant Sparks, prepared by James Duncan, was the first in a series of three presentations on the history of electric trams in Auckland. It was enthusiastically received and he has been asked to present the next two instalments of the story, Always a Tram in Sight and Trash to Treasure, at future U3A meetings.

James Duncan grew up in Auckland in the 1960s and '70s when Auckland was served by a large and extensive electric trolley bus system. He was fascinated as a child, beginning in him a passion for electric street transport. At age 15 he joined the tramway section at MOTAT and has been an active volunteer of the tramway for 46 years. Today, as well as managing the tramway in the Wynyard Quarter, along with his fulltime position at MOTAT, he says he is now like 'a pig in mud'.

Equally passionate about her topic was the ten-minute speaker, U3A Vice President, Kathy Walker. One of her passions is Greece, the nearly three years she spent there in the '80s and the many times she has returned since. Her talk entitled, Ten minutes in Greece…It’ll be nice when it’s finished, was a comment she heard from some English tourists, that has stayed with her.

Beautifully illustrated, and rich with anecdote, Kathy stepped us through nearly three wonderful years from teaching English, sightseeing, getting to know locals and other travellers and two happy summers on the Island of Paros in the Cyclades, where friends had a small bar and restaurant in a fishing village on the island. Called Robbie’s Bar, after her friend’s husband, it was renamed Tuesdays, after the cat, when Robbie left for a younger woman. Kathy made apple pie daily and ran the bar. When the bar closed at 1am there was the all-night disco where everyone danced till dawn. For the next few months U3A meetings will be held by Zoom. When we finally get to meet again in person, a mid-winter Christmas lunch will be held in lieu of the end of year Christmas luncheon party not able to be held in December 2021.

Ponsonby U3A has more than 25 special interest groups, where the learning happens and friendships are made. Many special interest groups are continuing to meet during Omicron time, mainly by Zoom. Visitors are welcome to attend a general monthly meeting, held on the first Friday morning of each month.

For those interested in attending a U3A Zoom meeting please contact Philippa Tait, President Ponsonby U3A, (027 452 3108) who will arrange to have a Zoom link emailed to you.

The March speaker will be Dr Terry Hume – “What we can learn from observing tides and sand?” (CHRISTINE HART)  PN

NEXT MEETING: By Zoom. 9.30 for 10am, Friday 11 March.

ENQUIRIES: Philippa Tait, President, Ponsonby U3A. M: 027 452 3108, www.u3a.nz