Thanks Jacinda – Zero cases of Covid19 in Aotearoa!

Written By: - Date published: 1:15 pm, June 8th, 2020 - 93 comments
Categories: health, jacinda ardern, labour, uncategorized - Tags: ,

Thanks to clear and decisive leadership, an intelligent government, the decision to go hard and fast, respect for science, and overwhelming commitment by local kiwis we can celebrate a milestone, Aotearoa has no current cases of Covid 19.

Now we are at a maintenance stage.  It seems very likely that a decision to take us to level one will be taken this afternoon with the change to be implemented probably this week.

And the virus is a bastard.  Continued vigilance is essential and my view is the borders need to be kept shut until we can be sure our status is not threatened.

But for now Aotearoa we can all celebrate.  And reflect that Jacinda and Micky Savage (the real one) will in the future be talked about with the same affection and appreciation.

93 comments on “Thanks Jacinda – Zero cases of Covid19 in Aotearoa! ”

  • Comments are now closed

  2. McFlock 2
    8 June 2020 at 1:23 pm

    yuss

  3. solkta 3
    8 June 2020 at 1:27 pm

    That's a real feel good feeling. Thanks to everybody who tried hard to make this happen.

  4. Dawn Trenberth 4
    8 June 2020 at 1:30 pm

    Yes!!!!!! And who wants to be like Australia now.

  5. Ad 5
    8 June 2020 at 1:31 pm

    I would like to see a plan for airport proof-of-entry biometric testing without 2-week quarantine before I do too many woo-hoos over this one.

    There's so many global secondary breakouts now it's hard to trust anything.

    • Andre 5.1
      8 June 2020 at 1:47 pm

      Until there is a convincingly demonstrated detection method with a false negative rate less than 0.01% for infections acquired as recently as when the aircraft was boarded, then as far as I'm concerned, 2 weeks quarantine is the only acceptable answer.

      In other words, 2 weeks quarantine is the only answer.

      • Naki man 5.1.1
        8 June 2020 at 3:46 pm

        "In other words, 2 weeks quarantine is the only answer."

        Agree, i hope air NZ have lifted their game after one of their flight crew caused the biggest cluster including two deaths. A couple of weeks ago they were still exempt from quarantine.

        • Tricledrown 5.1.1.1
          9 June 2020 at 9:45 am

          Naki man facts right this happened before lockdown.

          • Naki man 5.1.1.1.1
            9 June 2020 at 12:40 pm

            The point i was making is that unlike Australian flight crew they didn't quarantine during the lockdown even after causing the death of two people.

            • Tricledrown 5.1.1.1.1.1
              9 June 2020 at 5:31 pm

              It was voluntary but the person was showing serious symptoms, from inside info on the wedding he was coughing and spluttering you think with all the info on symptoms around that this person should have self isolated. Taken personel responsibility.

              It's easy in hindsight but lessons need to be learned and an enquiry into the pandemic is needed not a Royal enquiry it will take to long.

              An urgent enquiry is needed to check what systems are in place how much PPE is available ie face masks where high concentrations of people gather ,planes and public transport etc.If a new wave or another pandemic arrived are we ready.

              An urgent stock take is needed aged care facilities where most deaths are occurring need a lift in funding to provide enough PPE and hygiene management . Care facilities were woefully short on both it was lucky we didn't have a large scale outbreak.

  6. gsays 6
    8 June 2020 at 1:48 pm

    Good news indeed.

    Any yahoo who is rushing to get back to BAU yesterday, before they cast their reckons, needs to acknowledge the decision making that has given us options.

  7. Macro 7
    8 June 2020 at 1:49 pm

    Well done JA, the rest of the Cabinet, AB and the MoH, the advisors, our essential workers, and the rest of the team of 5 million for staying the course so far.

    There are some things that have changed for the better over the past few months. Long term homeless people have been placed into some form of permanent accommodation, now that they have a permanent address they have been able to apply for a benefit and accommodation supplement.

    Meanwhile, overseas Palestinians are making face masks for Israelis.

    https://www.voanews.com/middle-east/gaza-factory-exports-face-masks-israel-during-covid-19

    • Sacha 7.1
      8 June 2020 at 1:57 pm

      now that they have a permanent address they have been able to apply for a benefit and accommodation supplement.

      City Missions and others have long provided an address for people without one. Not the barrier.

      • Descendant Of Smith 7.1.1
        8 June 2020 at 2:59 pm

        You've never needed an address to get a benefit. Used to have arguments about this back in the 80's with the local DSW office. Homeless people have always been able to get a benefit.

        • Macro 7.1.1.1
          8 June 2020 at 4:56 pm

          You've never needed an address to get a benefit. Used to have arguments about this back in the 80's with the local DSW office. Homeless people have always been able to get a benefit.

          Well tell that to the folks I have been working with over the past few months. One of their major problems has just been getting access to WINZ without access to a computer.

      • Macro 7.1.2
        8 June 2020 at 4:58 pm

        That has not been the case here.

        • Descendant Of Smith 7.1.2.1
          8 June 2020 at 10:22 pm

          In the UK you do have to have an address. This was added in recent years I believe.

          In NZ there is nothing in legislation that says you do. I often let people begging know this and encourage them to get help from an advocate.

          Homeless urban myths
          Separating fact from fiction

          https://www.thepeoplesproject.org.nz/homelessness/

          Don’t people need an address to get a benefit?

          Every person correctly registered with Work and Income can receive a benefit. The People’s Project makes sure everyone is receiving their entitlement. That said, many are living on less than $100 a week. Many have overwhelming debts and fines.

          • Descendant Of Smith 7.1.2.1.1
            8 June 2020 at 10:54 pm

            Just checked nothing has changed – none of the benefits require an address.

            Jobseeker support: requirements

            A person is entitled to jobseeker support if the person—

            (a) has a work gap; and

            (b) is available for work; and

            (c) meets the age requirement; and

            (d) meets the residential requirement; and

            (e) has no or minimum income.

            Sole parent support: requirements

            A person is entitled to sole parent support if the person—

            (a) meets the sole parent requirement; and

            (b) either—

            (i) is not in a situation of split care (see section 32); or

            (ii) is in a situation of split care and is the 1 parent who is entitled to sole parent support (see section 32); and

            (c) meets the residential requirement; and

            (d) is aged 20 years or over.

            Supported living payment: on ground of restricted work capacity or total blindness: requirements

            A person is entitled to the supported living payment if the person—

            (a) has restricted work capacity or is totally blind; and

            (b) meets the residential requirement; and

            (c) is aged 16 years or over.

            Outline of beneficiary’s general and specific obligations

            (1) The general obligations of a beneficiary, that is, obligations that apply to all beneficiaries, are the following:

            (a) the obligation to hold, and give MSD details of, a bank account (see section 111):

            (b) the obligation to supply a tax file number (see section 112):

            (c) the obligation to notify a change of circumstances (see section 113).

            (2) The specific obligations that apply to some beneficiaries only, are the following:

            (a) the obligation to notify absence from New Zealand (see section 114):

            (b) the obligation to undergo work ability assessments (see sections 115 to 119):

            (c) work-preparation obligations (see sections 120 to 126):

            (d) obligations in relation to dependent children (see sections 127 to 137):

            (e) work-test obligations (see sections 138 to 156):

            (f) youth payment obligations (see sections 162 and 163):

            (g) young parent obligations (see sections 164 and 169):

            (h) obligations under section 165(7) of a young person aged 18 or 19 years who is receiving jobseeker support, who is at significant risk of long-term welfare dependency (see sections 165 and 169), and who is required under section 165(2) to receive youth services:

            (i) obligations (including relating to instruction, education, training, or learning) of a young person who is the spouse or partner of a beneficiary (see sections 166, 167, and 169):

            (j) obligations (including relating to youth services) of a young person who is the spouse or partner of a beneficiary (see sections 168 and 169):

            (k) the obligation to work with contracted service providers (see sections 170 and 171):

            (l) obligations in relation to overseas pensions (see sections 172 to 180).

            110 When obligations apply

            An obligation applies from the time that the benefit in question is paid, except in the case of—

            (a) the applicant’s or beneficiary’s obligation to hold, and give MSD details of, a bank account (see section 111); and

            (b) the section 162(1)(a) education or training obligation of a young parent who is the principal caregiver of that young parent’s youngest dependent child who is under 12 months old (see section 163(2)).

            And you don't need a bank account at the start if you do not have one.

            Beneficiary must hold, and give MSD details of, bank account

            (1) It is a condition of every benefit, unless MSD in a particular case determines otherwise, that the applicant or beneficiary must, by the deadline (specified by regulations made under section 438(2)(a)(ii)) for receipt by MSD of any supporting evidence reasonably required by MSD,—

            (a) give MSD details of an existing suitable bank account held by the applicant or beneficiary; or

            (b) open a bank account, if the applicant or beneficiary does not hold one, and give MSD details of it.

            • gsays 7.1.2.1.1.1
              9 June 2020 at 5:51 pm

              Perhaps the crux of getting the $ is in the last two bits you've cited.

              (a) give MSD details of an existing suitable bank account held by the applicant or beneficiary; or

              (b) open a bank account, if the applicant or beneficiary does not hold one, and give MSD details of it.

              Them banksters are gonna wanna know where you live.

  8. peterh 8
    8 June 2020 at 2:12 pm

    And now its up to Grant Robertson, and already his stuff is working, Just listened to head of kiwifruit, when they got all clear Got 28000 staff in a week packing 2 million trays a day, record crop record ,price, and sales going through the roof, rest of country just has to follow

  9. observer 9
    8 June 2020 at 4:50 pm

    One of the greatest peacetime victories that NZ has achieved, in the modern era at least.

    Politics (or government) is always about the next challenge, not the last – but for once that little dance is more than justified. Let's Bowie!

  10. Ad 10
    8 June 2020 at 5:04 pm

    I'm also looking forward to our Minister of Trade, and Agriculture, and Economic Development, and all key leads witin MBIE, NZTE, MFAT, ExportNZ, Fonterra and of course our entire horticulture and wine and beverage industries to use this moment to shout this little comparative advantage to the world.

    Every bit of economic advantage we can now find will help this country.

  11. mary_a 11
    8 June 2020 at 6:04 pm

    Well done Kiwisyes Great leadership from JA, combined with excellent direction from Dr Bloomfield during a very challenging time.smiley

    • Anne 11.1
      8 June 2020 at 6:24 pm

      So lucky to have real leadership and brilliant scientists. We've had the latter for years but they were rarely acknowledged.

  12. mac1 12
    8 June 2020 at 6:23 pm

    "Thanks to clear and decisive leadership, an intelligent government, the decision to go hard and fast, respect for science, and overwhelming commitment to local kiwis we can celebrate a milestone, Aotearoa has no current cases of Covid 19".

    Well said, MickySavage.

    Empathy, leadership, regard for science and sound advice.

    Little NZ leads the world. A government that cares, a citizenry that responds, a result that should be seen as an example to the world.

  13. Muttonbird 13
    8 June 2020 at 7:27 pm

    Incredible effort.

    A few weeks ago, anti-Labour operatives were grizzling hard about the definition on eliminated. They tried to frame the PM as being dishonest. Of all the hair-brained strategies the RW have come up with in the last 3 months, that one is right up there.

    Today Jacinda Ardern cast aside the need for the word eliminated and instead we can use the word eradicated. The opposition can't argue the definition of that, although the Hologram tried his best to be negative on one on NZ's greatest days.

    The Hologram seems to be trying to hoover up the hard right National votes leaving after the leadership change.

    • observer 13.1
      8 June 2020 at 7:38 pm

      I get annoyed with NZ First most days of the week but when we talk about Jacinda's leadership we should not forget that in the alternative universe, by 2020 (after PM Bill would have retired) the Covid-19 response would have been led by PM Simon Bridges and David Seymour would have been a Minister in that government.

      Winston may be an old rogue but still … his decision in 2017 saved hundreds of Kiwi lives.

      • Muttonbird 13.1.1
        8 June 2020 at 8:01 pm

        +1. David Seymour is the Jair Bolsonaro of New Zealand, student version.

        • Incognito 13.1.1.1
          8 June 2020 at 8:33 pm

          Bolsonaro’s trade mark is a red beret, Seymour’s is a red dwarf.

          • Tricledrown 13.1.1.1.1
            9 June 2020 at 9:49 am

            Hollow man or hologram Nationals uninspiring leadership gives Seymour a lift in the polls which means National policy moving further to the right.

            • mpledger 13.1.1.1.1.1
              9 June 2020 at 2:27 pm

              I thought Goldsmith wasn't high enough on the list that if he failed to win Epsom then he would be out of parliament (on current polling). I think he might have to contest the seat this time. ;->

              • Sacha …
                9 June 2020 at 8:13 pm

                Finance portfolio guarantees a high list placing. And he always has that vanity publishing career to fall back on.

  14. Kat 14
    8 June 2020 at 7:43 pm

    Since Michael Joseph Savage how may NZ Prime ministers have been referred to with the term "love"……..we love you Jacinda. Thank you for being one of us, and to the core.

    • SDCLFC 14.1
      8 June 2020 at 8:18 pm

      Norm Kirk?

      Maybe not loved, but he's the politician I hear her most compared to in terms of empathy for all people.

      But, your point stands

  15. Ken 15
    8 June 2020 at 7:54 pm

    Three Damehoods for that lady!

  16. David Mac 16
    8 June 2020 at 8:11 pm

    Usually at this time of the year we can't fill an Airbnb or Copthorne bed for love or money up in the Far North. Just now, bookings are going off. Like housing, there are so many indirect influences. When a visitor has their head on a pillow, 100's get closer to paying their rent.

    Onya NZ, the Thai restaurant has all burners burning and Gav at the laundry, his mandatory holiday is well and truly over.

  17. Fireblade 17
    8 June 2020 at 8:24 pm

    Happy Happy Joy Joy.

    by Stinky Wizzleteats, The Ren & Stimpy Show.

  18. David Mac 18
    8 June 2020 at 8:46 pm

    Fortunately perception is everything. The world buys our 100% Pure message. Our Covid status is a handy contribution.

    Price our God's Disneyland accordingly. Yeah Paris is expensive, we should be too.

    Get rid of the loose bowel teens in unregistered 80's Hi-Aces. They'll have to save a bit harder. 'We offer you this flush toilet with our blessing.'

    Offer a 50% discount to the holder of a NZ driver's license or passport.

    We have all it takes to create one of the most coveted destinations in the world. We should start behaving like we have.

    It's a market sector that actually does have a trickle down effect. The guy that's paying a thousand for his room tips pretty good.

    • mac1 18.1
      9 June 2020 at 9:13 am

      "It's a market sector that actually does have a trickle down effect. The guy that's paying a thousand for his room tips pretty good."

      I prefer a system where the guest pays a fair price to the owner who then pays his workers a decent wage. That is, as I have understood it for seventy years, the New Zealand way. (The living wage is still to be the standard,)

      Mrs Mac1 and I celebrated recently with a meal out at a local restaurant. For the first time in my life in NZ I was asked for a tip. Business was booming for them after lockdown; full house midweek. I've been going there for years.

      Is this a reaction to Covid-19 or a further Americanisation of our commerce?

    • Naki man 18.2
      9 June 2020 at 1:23 pm

      You are promoting trickle down effect, Airbnb, and getting rid of the loose bowel teens in unregistered 80's Hi-Aces. I am surprised your not being abused.

      Keep up the good work.

      • Tricledrown 18.2.1
        9 June 2020 at 5:37 pm

        Research on how much freedom campers spend in NZ .They spend more than most.surprisingly because they are here longer and want to spend money on adventure Tourism ie skydiving whale watching bunny jumping skiing etc

        • Sacha 18.2.1.1
          9 June 2020 at 8:25 pm

          They spend differently as well. Do wish some of them would stop shitting everywhere they please.

  19. David Mac 19
    8 June 2020 at 8:57 pm

    Outlaw Maui drivers with a foreign license.

    Charge them 3k more and insist they enlist a driver/legend sharer/stays in a motel guide….they'll warm to it and have the holiday memory they will take to their grave. Train these guides, create a career path for them. We could get language savvy. Align a Vietnamese speaking guide with Vietnamese visitors.

    Nothing sells like word of mouth. Start creating some truly memorable experiences down here and we won't need to spend much on advertising.

  20. Craig H 20
    8 June 2020 at 9:44 pm

    Congratulations everyone! The team of 5 million has got the job done, very ably led by the PM and DG of Health, with strong support from the Deputy PM, Finance Minister, Education Minister and Director of Public Health, to name a few.

  21. David Mac 21
    8 June 2020 at 9:56 pm

    So if Jacinda told you to jump off the bridge would you?

    Ummm, we'd need to hear more. Is Ashley available?

  22. David Mac 22
    8 June 2020 at 10:46 pm

    Ashley would say "This is the first time I find myself disagreeing with Prime Minister. I'd like to call a timeout for this press meeting, lets regroup in 30 minutes. I'll need a private room, whiteboard, pens in 3 colours and an overhead projection of the bridge in question."

  23. Fireblade 23
    8 June 2020 at 11:03 pm

    In awe of NZ: How world media reacted to New Zealand eliminating Covid-19.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12338194

  24. Mark 24
    9 June 2020 at 12:01 am

    This is great news.

    However at what cost has this been achieved – in terms of the economy and even lives and suffering. And a stuffed up economy will cost lives.

    Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan have also done extremely well – but without a full lock down.

    In any case we should all be grateful. Things could have been so much worse.

    • mpledger 24.1
      9 June 2020 at 2:36 pm

      Noone's talking about South Korea anymore and they were once the golden child. They went hard early and were doing way better then us then they opened up and had a super spreader and now they are back to where they were two months ago (for daily new cases anyway, daily deaths look is looking a lot better).

  25. Maurice 25
    9 June 2020 at 3:47 am

    Now to really start taxing the rich pricks!

    Particularly those in Public Service who continued to be paid during the entire lockdown?

    • Tricledrown 25.1
      9 June 2020 at 10:04 am

      Maurice they always find away to avoid paying tax so its futile to target them you are playing right into their song book.

      Just getting them to pay the existing taxes is a mission as the rich only pay an average of 17% as opposed to the 33% top tax rate.

      The way to make them pay is to keep right wing govts out of power ie National sacking 1500 IRD workers because of technology why not redeploy those staff to investigate how these very wealthy avoid tax .For those who pay their full taxes would benefit while those who roll up to private schools (govt subsidized )n the Range Rovers while having no taxable income .

      A Capital gains tax or land tax would be a good way to start paying down the $140 billion debt from the Covid financial bailout of the economy.

      • Tricledrown 25.1.1
        9 June 2020 at 10:12 am

        Another Idea would be to have a flexible top tax rate lowering it depending on the capital gains paid each year as some years no capital gain will be paid.

        To undo the rights dogma of saying the left only know how to tax and spend.

        The Carrot and stick approach would be that those who are paying no taxes on capital gain would be played against those who can't avoid paying their fair share.

        • Maurice 25.1.1.1
          9 June 2020 at 1:00 pm

          Indeed! As long as capital and land valuations are set at the bottom of the Covid dip there should be many years of capital and land value gains to be taxed.

          If no value gains then income tax at top rates for that year and off-set against that paid in increasing value years. To keep the rate of tax collection the same or very similar for each year …. and as high as possible? Is that the idea?

    • Sacha 25.2
      9 June 2020 at 8:10 pm

      No public servants on the rich list I'm afraid, Maurice.

      • Maurice 25.2.1
        10 June 2020 at 6:34 am

        Average salary varies widely amongst different occupations in the Public Service. In June 2018, the average salary was highest for Managers ($136,300), followed by Policy Analysts ($99,400), ICT Professionals and Technicians ($93,400), Legal, HR and Finance Professionals ($90,600) and Information Professionals ($84,600). By contrast, Social, Health and Education Workers ($65,200), Inspectors and Regulatory Officers ($62,900), Clerical and Administrative Workers ($60,000) and Contact Centre Workers ($52,900) had the lowest average salaries.

        Compare that to beneficiaries and the newly unemployed …

        • Sacha 25.2.1.1
          10 June 2020 at 8:46 am

          We clearly have a different standard for 'rich pricks'. Good to know.

          • Maurice 25.2.1.1.1
            10 June 2020 at 9:54 am

            It all depends where in the pay heap one is … and whether the income continues.

  26. xanthe 26
    9 June 2020 at 11:15 am

    yeah well Jacinda seems ok at dealing with a crisis…… BUT to really launch us into a crisis we need National /sark

    • Maurice 26.1
      10 June 2020 at 9:51 am

      It doe snot matter who is there – two generations of wealth has been squandered and we are ALL in the pooh

  27. Sabine 27
    9 June 2020 at 12:28 pm

    so this will now be revoked? right? right?

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/121504938/coronavirus-new-covid19-law-gives-police-power-to-conduct-warrantless-searches-amid-civil-liberty-concerns

    A controversial new coronavirus law has been hastily passed, despite coming under fire for allowing police to search homes without a warrant.

    Despite widespread concern, the Government rushed through the powerful legislation for Alert Level 2, but legal experts say the new enforcement law is better for the public than the extreme emergency powers used under lockdown.

    There are now calls for the Government to take the unusual step of returning the law to parliament, so it can again be scrutinised while it's being used.

    The law, which passed 63 – 57, had to be hurried through the House as it was required for the enforcement of Alert Level 2 restrictions such as social distancing – set to begin at 11.59pm on Wednesday.

    surely an announcement is forthcoming to let us plebs know that we are now again save in our houses from warrantless house searches by the police?

    • Fireblade 27.1
      9 June 2020 at 3:27 pm

      The law allowing police to enter homes without a warrant no longer applies. The PM stated that at the media conference yesterday. (32:30 in the video).

      • Chris T 27.1.1
        9 June 2020 at 4:10 pm

        Not entirely sure she is correct on that technically.

        Unless I am an idiot and miss-reading, which admittedly would not be a first!

        http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2020/0246/latest/d12844704e2.html?search=sw_096be8ed8198703a_alert+level_200_se&p=1&sr=0

        In addition to this, the Bill—

        (a)

        will apply to all Alert Levels under the COVID-19 Alert Level Framework; and

        (b)

        addresses the need for some enforcement powers for certain restrictions that may be applied so that these restrictions do not rely on powers provided by a state of national emergency—at Alert Level 2 this may include gatherings and distancing; and

        (c)

        establishes decision-making processes that are more modern and consistent with recommended practice by legal academics and others; and

        (d)

        has limited retrospective effect to enable the Alert Level 2 order to be prepared and commence immediately, if needed; and

        (e)

        does not provide retrospective validation of actions already taken on previous orders.

        • Naki man 27.1.1.1
          9 June 2020 at 4:56 pm

          Jacinda did not say the law no longer applies she said they won't use it anymore.

          She also said in another interview that they were able to bring in level one at short notice because they did not have to change any law to inforce level one.

          So it looks like you are correct Chris T

    • gsays 27.2
      9 June 2020 at 6:20 pm

      Good question Sabine.

      It seems like it is still a law.

      We may yet be moving or leaving the ‘Level’ scheme.

      • Chris T 27.2.1
        9 June 2020 at 6:50 pm

        Can’t see that happening for at least a year or two tbh.

        But purely from memory I think the no warrant bit was only valid for 3 months.

      • Louis 27.2.2
        9 June 2020 at 7:15 pm

        The law already existed. See 27.1.1.1.1.1

    • Louis 27.3
      9 June 2020 at 7:16 pm

      It was already the law.

      • Chris T 27.3.1
        9 June 2020 at 11:05 pm

        So it was already there yet they rushed it through. Presumably as they didn’t know this. And now the PM says it is not there even though it was already there and still is?

        • Louis 27.3.1.1
          10 June 2020 at 4:14 pm

          Thats a load of rubbish Chris T.

          • Chris T 27.3.1.1.1
            10 June 2020 at 4:18 pm

            Was the law already there or not?

            “Louis27.1.1.1.1.1
            9 June 2020 at 7:11 pm
            The law already existed prior to the Covid19 response.”

            • Louis 27.3.1.1.1.1
              10 June 2020 at 4:21 pm

              You know it is but it doesnt apply to L1 and your assumption that they didnt know about it is false.

  28. Treetop 28
    9 June 2020 at 9:42 pm

    Having stamina was well worth it. The citizens and residents of NZ are the winners.

    Vigilance is required to keep the virus out.

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