News and updates relating to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak and pandemic.
The government has sent out this comprehensive information on getting the help and support you need to ensure your welfare.
Getting the help and resources you need Read More »
Porirua City Council is now part of a new service to help people get access to food and medication. It has been set up to assist people with disabilities, at-risk groups and people without access to their own transport.
The service is intended for those facing hardship and is in addition to other support measures provided by other agencies, such as Work and Income, and community groups like ours. It will deliver help and essential household supplies to the doorstep.
The regional CDEM groups have local helplines people facing hardship can ring. Porirua people can ring the Wellington Region Call Centre on 0800 141 967. This call centre is available between 7:00am–7:00pm and will put you in touch with the services you need.
If you don’t have the essentials you need to get through lockdown (such as food, medication or cleaning supplies), they ask that you should initially try calling a:
You can get in touch with the local helpers’ network we’ve set up in Pukerua Bay by using our ‘Ask For Help’ form and we can get someone to contact you. We can also organise people who can phone you regularly to see whether there is anything you need, or for a friendly chat.
However, if you don’t have these options available to you, or you would prefer to ask someone else, then please call the Wellington Region Call Centre on 0800 141 967.
New service to support people facing hardship Read More »
Reach out to your usual supports over the phone — family and whānau, friends and workmates. Sharing how we feel and offering support to others is important.
Sticking to a routine such as having regular mealtimes, bedtimes and exercising really helps.
If over the following days and weeks you feel you are not coping, it’s important to seek help and professional support. Your family doctor is a good starting point.
For support with grief, anxiety, distress or mental well-being, you can also call or text the ‘Need to talk?’ service on 1737. This service is free, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and gives you the chance to talk it through with a trained counsellor.
There is excellent advice on the government’s Unite Against COVID-19 website on looking after your mental well-being.
Depression.org specific tips on coping with COVID-19
https://depression.org.nz/covid-19/
The Lowdown – for young people
https://thelowdown.co.nz/
You should contact the mental health crisis teams in this area at
Te Haika 0800 745 477 (operating 24/7).
All the groups listed below have counsellors who will do whatever they can to help.
| The Depression Helpline | 0800 111 757 or text 4202 |
| The Lowdown Team | Free text 5626 or email the team using the link on the website. |
| Alcoholics Anonymous | 0800 229 6757 |
| Alcohol Drug Helpline | 0800 787 797 |
| Anxiety Line | 0800 2694 389 |
| Healthline | 0800 611 116 |
| Lifeline | 0800 543 354 |
| Samaritans | 0800 726 666 |
| Victim Support | 0800 842 846 |
| Youthline | 0800 376 633 or text 234 |
Looking after your mental wellbeing Read More »
Here is a link to the first issue of our community newsletter, the COVID Courier:
COVID Courier Issue #1 (PDF)
COVID Courier Issue #1 is out Read More »
Shopping will become a major preoccupation for all of us over the next month. Here are some tips on shopping safely and smartly.
This information was up to date at 9pm, Wednesday 25 March.
This is still open daily from 10am – 7pm. They have good stocks of all the basics they normally carry.
There is only one person allowed in the store at a time. They will take cash but prefer eftpos (no credit card).
Duval at the store says he is happy to take orders over the phone and if he has the time will bag them up for people to collect later and pay. He might be able to get some items in for you – just ask. This is for people who are not able to get to the supermarket. Their phone number is 239 9140
New World Paramata is open 9.00am–7.00pm each day. (Changed from normal hours)
Pack’nSave Porirua is open 7.00am–11.00pm.
Safe shopping recommendations
Nominate a family member to shop – to comply with physical distancing recommendations, and to ensure there is a steady flow of traffic in and out of stores within their ‘one in, one out’ system, they are asking people who shop in person to please shop alone. This is to ensure the number of people in-store at any one time is kept to a minimum.
Contactless payments – they encourage customers to use contactless payments such as PayWave as another way of reducing contact between customers and staff.
Shop online (where available) – they have introduced contactless online shopping delivery for customers who are self-isolating, vulnerable or unwell – customers should let the team know in the comments section when the order is placed. If you are feeling unwell, please do not come to the store to collect your Click & Collect order and to instead arrange a friend or family member to pick up your groceries for you.
New World iShop:
Pack your own bags – New World will be doing this as a staff protection measure, but please ask for help if you need assistance to pack your groceries.
#shopnormal – do not stockpile groceries; this is so everyone has a fair shot at buying their grocery essentials. When someone buys five packs of toilet paper, and they only need one, they are taking away from four other people who may have needed it. Some customers might not have the resources to buy up or the ability to visit the store every day. Please buy what you need and be fair to others.
Countdown All Countdown supermarkets are open 9.00am–8.00pm. They have placed a temporary limit of two similar items per customer shopping visit across their store and online shopping service, with the exception of Produce & Serviced Deli. That means you will only be able to buy a maximum of two packs of toilet paper, two packs of mince, two packets of chicken, etc. All deliveries are contactless.
myCountdown:
Service stations and truck stops are considered essential services and will stay open to support New Zealanders. Both Z Energy and BP have smartphone apps you can use to pay for fuel at the pump. You can also order a coffee with them.
Z Energy Z is implementing strict controls to minimise contact with their staff. These include operating a locked door policy and accepting payment through the night window. You will still be able to purchase supplies from the store and these will be passed through the window to you. You will also be able to use Pay at Pump.
Z App:
BP Under Level Three and Level Four of the COVID-19 alert system, BP Connect sites will operate under closed-door operations. This means customers are not able to enter the shop, however, they can continue to purchase fuel and shop items as normal. Carwashes are closed. BP truck stops will remain open during this time as per normal.
BPMe:
Mana Pharmacy They will be open all throughout the lockdown. There is still a big demand for prescriptions so there is still a 2-hour delay for urgent prescriptions and if something is not urgent, leave it for another day. Please don’t wait at the pharmacy.
There are strict limits on who is allowed into the pharmacy. If you are waiting to be attended, please maintain the two-metre social distance.
They have received stock of flu vaccines. They will be making appointments for these so that people are not waiting. Please phone them on 04 2330800 to make an appointment. They are vaccinating those over 65 and with eligible conditions.
The Pukerua Bay Residents’ Association and Pukerua Bay Hub are working together co-ordinate support within the village for people who will be confined to their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you need help, or think you may need help in the future, please:
We have created a network of street groups so we can all support each other and make sure the most vulnerable people have someone who is in contact with them.
We have organised a network of:
They are co-ordinators and contact points for people needing assistance, and people who are offering to help. If you or anyone you know needs some help, you can contact then through our online ‘Ask For Help’ form.
Here are some questions to consider and to ask neighbours:
(Thanks to Plimmerton RA for these questions. Feel free to add your own.)
COVID-19 community support Read More »
