"Stay in the game! Get your Shot!" - That's the message Pasifika sports' stars are taking to a vaccination event in Auckland this week.
Several high profile current and former sports people are backing a two day drive-thru event at the Māngere East Hawks Rugby League Club, saying it's crucial people get vaccinated so that players and fans can return to the field.
Pasifika sports' stars are backing a vaccination drive-thru event in Auckland this week. Photo: RNZ / Talei Anderson
Former Silver Fern Linda Vagana was a force on the netball court, now she wants to score some wins with getting people vaccinated.
The former New Zealand and Samoa representative lives in a house with her elderly father, elderly aunty, two siblings, three nieces and two nephews.
"That's a Pasifika household, that's a Pasifika village, so it makes sense for me today to stand, and to take a stand with my fellow athletes here, because we have seen what a pandemic can do," she said.
"We lost about 82, 83, youngsters in Samoa due to not being vaccinated for measles and so I believe there is so much more harm in not getting a vaccination then there is to getting one."
For the past month she's been connecting with the netball community, making calls and sending emails, encouraging members to make the most of the drive-thru event this week.
An emotional Linda Vagana explains why it was important for her to get vaccinated, and to encourage others to get get jabbed. Photo: RNZ / Talei Anderson
"My emails have been mental with trying to share the message across all the platforms for netballers, and on top of that it'll be just turning up and saying good job to everybody who's actually doing all the hard work."
The message is simple, she added.
"Our families are important to us, our community is important to us... do this for your young people, do this for everyone that's vulnerable, and play your part - get vaccinated."
Former Samoan-born New Zealand professional boxer, Faumuina To'aletai Mafaufau David Tua is doing his bit for the community.
He said apart from being a staunch Magele (Māngere) boy, he wants to ensure Pacific communities, particularly those who can't get vaccinated, are being looked after.
Pasifika sporting legends David Tua and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck catch up at vaccination launch. Photo: RNZ / Talei Anderson
"My health is compromised, that's why I'm here to support what legend [former Manu Samoa captain] Lemalu [Semo Sititi] and the team are doing to making sure that young people, our youth, and those who are not vaccinated can get not only their first jab but their double jab," he said.
The proud south-Aucklander will be at the league club to support anyone wanting their first or second jab this weekend, as long as it's to the arm.
"I'm all ears you know. We're just public servants at the end of the day and so I'm lending a shoulder, a hand or a foot or whatever you know I'm here to help."
League turned union man Roger Tuivasa-Sheck said it's a no-brainer to get behind a community which has continued to support him throughout his footy career.
League turned union man Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is backing the two-day drive-thru at the south Auckland league club this week. Photo: RNZ / Talei Anderson
"That's what sports is all about, it's just about bringing families and friends together and I think a lot of people all across the world and New Zealand just want to do that, they want to get back to that everyday socialising, playing sports and having a laugh with their mates."
Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio believes the backing of Pasifika sports stars will help achieve the 90 percent goal for Auckland.
He said the numbers need to be pushed hard on the 20-24 age group who are still at 78 percent of first dose, while the 25-34 age group are at 79 percent.
In solidarity and unity many codes are working together for this weekend's event to support it's membership and the wider sporting community. All are welcome.#PasifikaSportsCollective pic.twitter.com/GQAICMSOHG
— Tauanu'u Nick Bakulich (@nickbakulich) November 1, 2021
"It's going to be important for everybody to collaborate, it's going to be important for all of us to work together," he said.
"This is the last 15 minutes of the game, and we've got to really put all our effort into it, to be able to reach that 90 percent of fully vaccinated people here in Auckland."
Anyone needing their first or second dose are encouraged to drive through this Friday or Saturday.
There will also be an opportunity for people to walk in or to enquire about the vaccination itself, with health practitioners, nurses and other staff available to answer any questions about the vaccine.
