New Zealand's Catholic Church leaders are campaigning for people to line up for the Covid-19 vaccine programme.

The leaders are particularly focusing on ethnic and religious communities fearful of getting vaccinated because of misinformation.

Catholic Leadership Institute chief executive Dr Areti Metuamate says Catholic Church leaders are extremely concerned about the misleading information being spread by some high-profile people.

Misinformation is especially problematic on social media, Metuamate says. He describes some of it as 'borderline nuts'.

"There's someone who's been suggesting that if you roll your sleeves up [for a vaccine], you're rolling your sleeves up for Satan.

"There are also others saying conspiracies around Bill Gates and [how he is] trying to get everybody microchipped."

Other misinformation is leading people to believe the vaccine may change their DNA or even give them Covid-19.

"It is biologically impossible for the vaccine to affect a person's DNA and the vaccine does not contain any live virus. It's important to directly address this sort of misinformation in a targeted way, he says.

The gathering where religious leaders were vaccinated focused specifically on Pasifika, a community where vaccine support was steadily rising - but still lower than other demographics.

"As the vaccine is now being offered to more members of the public, including those in at risk Maori and Pasifika communities, we want to urge people to get vaccinated to protect themselves, their whanau and their community."

Ministry of Health statistics show the number of Pasifika who were unsure about the vaccine had fallen from 32 percent to only 9 percent.

There are nearly 400,000 Pasifika people in New Zealand, with most living in Auckland, Waikato and Wellington.

"There's a Maori term: 'He ora te whakapiri', which means we are healthier if we come together Metuamate says.

"It's not just about me, my wife, son or auntie; it's actually about our whole community and the most vulnerable in our community are the ones at risk if we don't get this vaccination.

"It's important that as leaders in the Church and Pasifika community, we show unity and strength against this virus for our communities to follow.

"The key factor to us, and why we know we can play an important role, is that nearly 80 per cent of Pasifika people have some form of religious affiliation."

The widely-circulated campaign information includes a video and handouts in English, Tongan and Samoan. It encourages families to work together for the wellbeing of their communities and addresses fears people may have.

Source

• NZ Catholic Bishops' Conference
• RNZ

Te Kupenga was formed on January 1 by the merger of Good Shepherd College and The Catholic Institute.

Metuamate attended Hato Paora College. He graduated from Victoria University of Wellington and the Australian National University, where his PhD was in Pacific leadership.

He has held advisory and leadership roles in both the public and tertiary education sectors, most recently as dean of St Mark's College in Adelaide, South Australia.

Metuamate has recently returned to Wellington from Adelaide with his wife, Dr Jessa Rogers-Metuamate, a distinguished indigenous academic, educator and artist from Australia's Wiradjuri peoples.

Her international research has included working with students of St Joseph's Maori Girls' College in Napier.

Te Kupenga has three operating units - Catholic Theological College (for tertiary courses and qualifications), National Centre for Religious Studies, and the Nathaniel Centre for Catholic Bioethics.

Metuamate says he is honoured to have been appointed and excited to be back home after a decade in Australia.

"My wife and I are expecting a son to be born in March, and being based amongst whanau is important for us.

It feels like the right time to return home to bring the learning and experience I have gained after 10 years working in Australian universities and organisations," said Metuamate.

"The opportunity to play a leadership role in shaping Te Kupenga and ensuring it connects and appeals to more of our people is also a key motivation for me."

NZ Catholic Bishops Conference president Bishop Patrick Dunn is delighted with the appointment.

"Dr Metuamate has emerged as the best candidate from a rigorous selection process. He is a personable and capable man, with the vision, energy and relationship skills needed to get the new organisation up and running," said Bishop Dunn.

"Areti's appointment will help drive visibility and growth for Te Kupenga among Maori, Pasifika, younger people and other important communities within our increasingly diverse Church and society," added Dunn.

"He will bring a contemporary style and quality of leadership to a new organisation that seeks to engage the Catholic and wider communities in ways that are authentic and resonant for our time."

Source
Supplied David McLoughlin
Communications Adviser, NZ Catholic Bishops
Te Huinga o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa