We want to congratulate Piki Thomas on his outstanding mahi for our partners in Waiariki during COVID.

During COVID-19 lockdown, Ngāti Pikiao leader Piki Thomas led the distribution of 20,000 hygiene and sanitation packs to whānau across the Waiariki region.

Piki secured a suitably sized warehouse at no cost and set up risk management and health and safety plans to make the environment safe for up to 60 volunteers who helped him each day. His workforce plan included daily health checks, infection control training, and monitoring and tracking processes. After working long hours on the site, he completed administrative work in the evening so that everyone knew their role and had the tools they needed to do their job well.

The distribution of these packs was a significant part of a wider iwi response plan called Te Arawa COVID-19 Hub. This collaboration of marae, hapū and organisations across Te Arawa region was established to support people and communities through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thank you Piki and congratulations again.