After hearing stories of disabled people being treated unfairly for not wearing masks, Hei Whakapiki Mauri stepped up to raise awareness of mask-wearing and the fact that some whānau are unable to wear a mask. The rōpū have created a tote bag to spread the message in te reo Māori and raise funds to support whānau.
Most public buildings or transportation now require us to wear masks to protect ourselves and others from the potential spread of COVID-19. However, not everyone is able to wear masks due to various disabilities and underlying health conditions. By encouraging people who can wear a mask to do so, the Hei Whakapiki Mauri rōpū are helping to protect the people most at risk in our community: our pēpi, mokopuna, our kaumatua and our whānau with underlying health conditions.
Rather than focusing on the negativity that was being displayed to people not wearing masks despite having mask exemption cards, Ruth Jones, Kaiwhakahaere of Hei Whakapiki Mauri held kōrero about alternative kupu/words/messages to thank those who manaaki us all by wearing their masks. Tote bags were chosen to spread the message as they can be carried by anyone. They read:
“Kia ora! Tēnā koe i tō mau maruhā, kāore e taea e ētahi.
Thank you for wearing a mask for those who can’t.”
Ruth worked with Navigator Waikura McGregor and Tawini White for the Reo Māori translation and Navigator Billy Willis to create the mask artwork. Billy felt the design of the mask came quite naturally to him, thinking of placing a mask on a heitiki style face and creating the artwork to reveal what the mask itself was covering. He chose the woven straps to represent “weaving us together as a people”.
Ruth says “We created the tote bags because we wanted Hei Whakapiki Mauri to be part of the conversation about COVID-19 and how we support people through this. The message is about not just protecting yourself but protecting others. It’s about sharing the aroha, and wearing a mask to protect all of us who can’t.”
Proceeds of the tote bags will go to supporting initiatives like food parcels and the Kōanga Kai gardening project where whānau grow veges for one another
If you would like to support Hei Whakapiki Mauri and raise awareness for wearing masks for those who can’t by purchasing a tote bag for $10, please fill out the order form here: https://forms.gle/YP3tBAfaLEmPntoq9
Hei Whakapiki Mauri is a Whānau Ora initiative that brings Māori with disabilities and their whānau together to awhi each other using a Te Ao Māori approach. They aim to raise the mauri – life force of all whānau through whakapapa and connection. Hei Whakapiki Mauri builds the resilience of whānau through empowerment and awhi to provide long-reaching support so they are not defined by disability or impairment; instead they can be true to their Māoritanga and their aspirations and goals.