“In time we will see if this is right or wrong.”

The central North Island town of Murupara is the home of kaumātua Pem Bird. As a leader in his community of 1400 people for many years and, partly due to his strong leadership and the advice of local doctor Bernard Conlon, this small community have been able to avoid the brunt of the vaccine mandates, rollouts.

Associate Health Minister Peeni Henare puts the low numbers, 16% fully vaccinated in this case, down to a “lack of strong leadership”. Ironically, it appears that strong leadership has been the one action thwarting the government’s sustained propaganda campaign in this community to date. One might argue that Associate Minister Henare wistfully desires a “lack of strong leadership”.

Earlier, He Pātai Tāku interviewed Matua Pem Bird to  discuss his love for his community and New Zealand: