The Chief Executive of the Ministry of Pacific Peoples, Laulu Mac Leauanae, said the broadcast COVID-19 updates were part of the Pacific Peoples campaign aimed at keeping Pacific communities informed of the latest updates and support available.
Leauanae said since the Government announced the alert levels in March, The Ministry of Pacific Peoples had ensured information was made available in nine different Pacific languages across a number of channels that included the COVID-19 website, radio, social media and a special broadcast on TVNZ One.
"We have been working alongside key government agencies, Pacific media agencies and Pacific clinicians to bring together weekly social media, radio, and a TV broadcast in nine Pacific languages."
The languages broadcast are: Te Reo Māori Kuki ‘Āirani, Vosa Vakaviti, Te taetae ni Kiribati, Vagahau Niue, Fäeag Rotųam, Gagana Samoa, Te Gagana Tokelau, Lea Faka Tonga, and Te Gana Tuvalu.
He said as part of the official All of Government campaign, the work provided another layer of communications which reached a greater number of the Pacific audience ,who would otherwise be missed by communication delivered in English and via mainstream channels.
"To hear our elders and those where English is not their first language, saying they understand the messages and get it, is great."
Leauanae said there had been an overwhelmingly positive response from the Pacific community about the campaign.
"The main theme has been listening to our Pacific languages relaying the messages via the many channels."
He said the weekly Pacific People's campaign included social media videos on multiple platforms each Wednesday, radio bulletins on Thursdays, and a TV Three broadcast at 4 pm every Friday, replayed 11 pm every Monday.
Check out the Pacific People's campaign with the links below.