Travel between regions for tangihanga
A message from the Ministry of Health | Friday, 21 August 2020
“Strict travel restrictions are in place for regions at Alert Level 3 to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Any travel into or out of regions at Alert Level 3 is not permitted unless an exemption is granted.
Exemptions for travel into a region at Alert Level 3 for the purposes of tangihanga may be approved provided the following conditions are met:
masks should be worn in accordance with Alert Level 3 guidelines
no overnight stays within the Alert Level 3 region
whānau must go directly to the venue and leave from there to commence their journey back to an Alert Level 2 region
stops for refuelling and other comfort stops should be completed before entering or after leaving the Alert Level 3 region.
If whānau want to seek exemption to transport their tūpāpaku into an Alert Level 3 region, they must be transported directly by a funeral director for immediate burial. The same conditions as above must be met.
Exemptions for travel from a region at Alert Level 3 into a region at Alert Level 2 will be considered on a case by case basis. This extends to the transport of deceased persons into an Alert Level 2 region.
Whānau who wish to travel through an Alert Level 3 region for the purposes of a funeral or tangihanga must also apply for an exemption.
You can learn more exemptions and how to apply, online here.
I want to acknowledge those who have already had to face the harsh reality of losing a loved one during lock-down or Alert Level 3 – aroha nui ki a koutou katoa. Mā te Wāhi Ngaro tonu koutou e poipoi, e manaaki. The approach we have taken will help reduce the spread of COVID-19 to regions that are not at Alert Level 3. We believe it is the best way to keep our communities, especially our at-risk whānau, safe and protected against COVID-19. I want to reassure you that this is only intended for a short period of time. Cabinet will be reviewing the current restrictions on Monday, followed by an announcement at 4pm on the same day
For more information on funerals and tangihanga, please visit our website.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or my team at: maorihealth@health.govt.nz
Mā te Atua koutou e manaaki hei ngā rangi e tū mai nei,
Nāhaku me aku mihi aroha,
John Whaanga
Deputy Director-General | Māori Health Directorate