October 2021

Tēnā koutou

I’m sure everyone’s used to being in lockdown by now and you know what to do to keep yourselves safe from catching COVID-19. We’ve now moved down to Alert Level 3 and are assured that the restrictions are having an impact and the current outbreak is under control. There’s still a risk of community transmission, though, so we need to continue to be careful, stay vigilant and keep up the good work with mask wearing, physical distancing, scanning wherever we go etc, so we can get back to normal as quickly as we can.

The best thing we can do to regain our freedoms and avoid future lockdowns is to get vaccinated. 80% of eligible Aucklanders have now had their first dose. Have you had yours? Every unvaccinated person opens up the potential for a new chain of transmission to start, so it’s our community duty to be vaccinated as quickly as we can. It’s understandable if you have questions about the vaccine, as there’s a lot of false information, scams and conspiracy theories around. If you’ve any questions at all, speak to a trusted source such as your doctor, or ring Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or visit the website covid19.govt.nz.

The International Day of Older Persons on 1 October is a reminder of how important it is for the older population to be vaccinated against COVID-19. So, if you haven’t had the ‘jab’ yet, book your appointment now.

Visit www.bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz, email booking@vaccine.covid19.health.nz, call the COVID-19 Vaccination Healthline 8am-8pm, seven days a week, on 0800 28 29 26, or contact your local doctor or pharmacy who may also be offering COVID-19 vaccinations.

Until next time, stay safe.

Ngā mihi maioha

Gabby Clezy,

Chief Executive Officer

spacer

Improving Tāmaki Makaurau for our older communities

The diversity and number of older Aucklanders are growing. In the next twenty years or so, the number of people over 65 years of age is set to double to roughly 19% of our population. This creates challenges and opportunities for improving how everyone can take part in all areas of life as we age.

Auckland Council has worked with local communities and organisations (including Haumaru Housing) to create a draft action plan, the Tāmaki Tauawhi Kaumātua, Age friendly Auckland Action Plan. This plan will support older Aucklanders to participate fully in their communities and improve their quality of life.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says: ‘We want to make a real impact on the lives of older people by taking an age-friendly view of Auckland’s services and infrastructure. Our Action Plan provides different measures to respond to older Aucklanders’ needs, including keeping connected to others, getting information, using technology, accessing public space, buildings, transport, and housing.’

The council would like to know what you think about the Tāmaki Tauawhi Kaumātua, Age-friendly Auckland Action Plan and the Age-friendly Tāmaki Makaurau framework and whether the actions outlined will make a difference for older Aucklanders. Your views will be summarised and will feed into the final Action Plan, which will be reported to Auckland Council’s Parks, Arts Community and Events Committee for adoption in November 2021.

The council will then seek membership of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities (the Network).

The survey is open until 4 October 2021.

To read the document and have your say, visit: https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/age-friendly-auckland-2

spacer

Correct use of heat lamps

Please can we ask tenants not to use a heat lamp bulb (as pictured) in a normal light fitting, as this can be dangerous. The wattage may be above the maximum allowed for the fitting, and the heat produced will not be suitable for the Incorrect bulb lamp holder or shade. If you’ve any questions about this or the correct use of other forms of heating in your unit, please don’t hesitate to call us on 0800 430 101.

spacer

Connecting with the past

Two tenants of Beach Haven’s Lancaster Court each have a close association with illustrated history books that feature fascinating aspects and interesting characters of New Zealand’s past.

Charlie Wong- Ming is pictured in ‘The Fruits of our Labours’ which traces the development of Chinese fruit shops from the 1880s to the present day and the families who opened them.

Charlie’s family came to NZ around 1937 after the Japanese war and opened their fruit shop in Blenheim; they also had a corner fruit shop in Remuera for some years. In the section on the Wong-Ming family, there are photographs of Charlie’s parents and of Charlie as a nine year old boy in the family shop. North Shore tenants might recognise Charlie, as he was a bus driver in the area for 20 years.

Bill Ferris has had a life-long interest in antiques dealing, even writing an entertaining collection of short stories entitled ‘Something of Value’, based on his experiences in antique dealing in New Zealand and the characters he met. Bill has opened a number of antique shops in his time, one of which was ‘Memory Lane Antiques’ in Panmure. He also loves collecting memorabilia of some of the nation’s war heroes. A prized possession is a photo from 1922 of his great grandfather, who was a great soldier, showing King Edward VIII (Prince of Wales at the time) around on horseback in Transvaal, South Africa!

If any other tenants have interesting family histories to tell, do let us know.

spacer

Get with the (digital literacy) programme!

The theme of this year’s International Day of Older Persons is ‘Digital Equity for All Ages’. So it’s fitting that Haumaru Housing has been focussing on enabling greater digital literacy for tenants through specialist community-based programmes.

To support tenants to stay connected with people, businesses and service providers via the internet, we’ve already installed fibre broadband in 46 villages, with the roll-out continuing this year and into next. Now we’re working with Manaiakalani Education Trust and Te Wānanga o Aotearoa to offer the Kanorau Digital course to help tenants improve their digital skills and get the best use of their various ‘smart’ devices.

Manaiakalani is a long-established Trust that aims to build communities’ online capacity and engagement, and it works with people of all ages and backgrounds. Kanorau Digital is funded by Manaiakalani and is delivered nationwide by Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, who’ll be running a two-day pilot programme at Glen Eden’s Westview Village community house for our tenants from the local area, once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and we get back to Level 1. Whilst participants will be able to bring along their own devices, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa will also provide laptops for use during the training sessions. The course content will include showing learners how to access the internet and assisting them with developing their technological know-how, so they can navigate websites and apps with confidence.

Course dates will be advised whenever we come out of lockdown. We look forward to hearing tenants’ feedback about the programme. If people enjoy it and find it helpful, we’ll aim to offer the sessions to all our tenants, so everyone has the opportunity to interact in the global online environment.

spacer

Artist Claire finds inspiration in nature’s beauty

Talented artist Claire Swainson of Massey’s Jack Smyth Court is inspired by the energy and beauty of nature, and draws on her memories of growing up in the Mackenzie

country to express the brilliance and wonder of the natural world. When painting, Claire loves to ‘get into the zone’ and have music as the background to her creative expression. She enjoys setting up her array of paints and canvas in the village community house (when not in lockdown) and feels privileged to be able to indulge her passion in such a relaxing setting. She says: ‘I love the spaciousness of the hall and enjoy seeing a friendly face pop in. But I’m also happy pottering at home during inclement weather. I’m so fortunate to have the choice.’ Claire has exhibited at the Waitakere Arts Centre and, more recently, with Titirangi Painters. She also has a few paintings on display at the Swanson Railway Café, so do look out for them when next you visit.

Need a hand?

Contact us on 0800 430 101