NZ First
On the 25th of March at 11.59 p.m, New Zealand went into lockdown under alert level 4 until at least the 22nd of April.
A decision about what happens next will be made on the 20th, but this week we saw what life may look like under alert level 3.
As we deal with the effects of COVID-19, we’re working hard to soften its impact on New Zealand as much as possible.
Here’s what we’ve been up to the past week.
Helping Kiwis return home
While in self-isolation in his residence in Northland, work continues for the Rt. Hon. Winston Peters.
As Foreign Minister, he has been hard at work ensuring Kiwis stranded overseas are able to return home.
Our government has been working on transit arrangements with a number of countries to enable our citizens to transit each other’s airports.
There has been a lot of success in the work that the Foreign Minister has been doing. Hundreds of Kiwi travelers were safely repatriated home from Uruguay, Vanuatu, Chile, and Nepal.
Mr. Peters has also announced further repatriation flights for Kiwis stranded in India and the Philippines.
New Zealand First believes in looking after the needs of our people. It is important that we help those Kiwis stranded overseas who want to come home, get home, and reunite with their respective families.
READ: Hundreds of stranded travellers assisted home
U.S. Ambassador applauds the work of the Rt. Hon. Winston Peters
Watch U.S. Ambassador Scott Brown acknowledge the Rt. Hon. Winston Peters during an interview with The AM Show.
U.S. Ambassador Scott Brown acknowledged the “incredible” work of Foreign Minister Winston Peters in helping American travellers return to their home country.
Speaking to The AM Show, Mr. Brown said: “And before you ask me a question, I do just want to give a shout out to the Deputy Prime Minister because he and his team were incredible.”
“He and his team get really high marks in my book,” the American diplomat said.
New Zealand and the United States are cooperating closely to ensure each other’s citizens are able to return home where possible.
Deputy Leader Fletcher Tabuteau questions banks what support they are providing for small and medium businesses.
Watch Deputy Leader Fletcher Tabuteau question Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr during the Epidemic Response Committee.
Deputy Leader Fletcher Tabuteau is part of the Epidemic Response Select Committee which invited the Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr to give updates on RBNZ’s monetary policy.
The NZ First MP suggested that “banks should be doing more” during these tough economic times induced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Tabuteau also put forward his own suggestion on what could be done to help New Zealand’s SMEs.
Many New Zealanders and their businesses are going to be severely impacted during these tough economic times. The Deputy Leader has suggested that banks should be doing more to help them weather through this crisis.
Providing support to our typhoon-hit neighbours
As we deal with COVID-19, there are natural disasters that cause danger to human life and property across the Pacific.
Our Pacific neighbours were recently hit by Tropical Cyclone Harold and has resulted in immense devastation.
Being responsible neighbours, New Zealand has been channelling humanitarian assistance to our neighbours, Vanuatu and Fiji, to help them rebuild from the cyclone’s fury.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Ron Mark have been constantly working with our Pacific partners to airlift relief assistance to these small island-nations.
READ: New Zealand to fly relief supplies to Fiji | New Zealand to provide assistance to Vanuatu
Meet the “dogs of New Zealand First”
Isolation and reduced contact with our friends and local community can take its toll on our mental health. Many of us will be on our own and it can cause anguish on our well-being.
However, we may have furry friends in our respective bubbles that we are self-isolating with. These cute pals make life under lockdown a lot bearable.
Our New Zealand First MPs introduce their canine friends who are with them in their own bubbles.
But if you don’t have access to paw-therapy and you’re struggling, free call or text 1737 any time, 24 hours a day.
You’ll get to talk to (or text with) a trained counsellor for absolutely no fee. This service is FREE and available 24/7.
COVID-19 alert level details updated
As we approach the final week of our four-week lockdown period, we have been given an indication of what a potential alert level 3 will look like.
Minor extensions to your bubble, such as a family member or a caregiver not previous in your bubble, is possible.
Food delivery services will also be open, including drive-throughs.
There will be a partial reopening of schools. Students from Year 10 and younger may go to school, but this is voluntary.
You can travel further than under alert level 4, but only regionally.
It is still imperative to stay at home whenever possible. You must work from home if you can. For those who cannot, establishments can be reopened provided they can ensure ample social distancing among staff and customers.
Life under alert level 3 will not be markedly different from alert level 4, but many restrictions placed on economic activity will be relaxed.
The government is set to make their decision whether to extend the alert level 4 lockdown or move to a lower level this coming Monday, 20th of April.
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