The Bay of Plenty District Health Board is calling on parents to supercharge their children's immunity against Covid-19 this weekend.

The board is supporting kaupapa Māori and iwi hauora and vaccine providers with a regional series of Covid-19 vaccination events for children titled Super Tamariki in Te Moana ā Toi.

Events are being held in Katikati, Tauranga, Te Puke, Whakatāne, Ōpōtiki and Kawerau.

Bay of Plenty District Health Board senior responsible officer – Covid-19 Programme Brent Gilbert-De Rios says the concept is to empower parents and families with the decision to immunise their children and find reliable answers to their questions.

'Nau mai haere mai – all tamariki and whānau are invited to our superhero-themed events this weekend – to share kai, kōrero, ask questions and, if they're ready, immunise tamariki against Covid-19.

'We know that the decision can feel overwhelming, and there's a lot of information out there. These events are about leaning into the trust our kaupapa Māori and iwi hauora and vaccine providers have in their communities to answer those questions.”

'And if at the end of the day, parents still don't feel ready, that's ka pai too. Sometimes it's just about that first step of the vaccination kōrero with a trusted person.”

Gilbert-De Rios says the event series is owed to the strength of partnership between the vaccine providers and the district health board.

Organisations involved include AvaNiu Pasifika, Huria Trust, Ngāti Ranginui Iwi, Nō te K mō te K | In the K for the K, Pacific Island Community (Tauranga) Trust, Pirirākau Hauora, Poutiri Trust, Te Manu Toroa, Te Pare ō Toi, Te Pou Oranga o Whakatōhea, Te Puna Ora o Mataatua, and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tamawhaiura.

'We couldn't be more proud to support this kaupapa,” says Gilbert-De Rios.

The events are also offering first, second and booster doses for family members.

The Ministry of Health recommends immunising children aged five and older against Covid-19 to keep them safe and to help protect whānau and communities from the virus.

More than 10,000 children aged 5-11 years in the Bay of Plenty have received their first dose of the paediatric Covid-19 vaccine.

Super Tamariki in Te Moana ā Toi events:

Katikati

Saturday, 10 am–3 pm

Uretara Domain, Major Street

In partnership with Te Manu Toroa and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tamawhaiura.

Tauranga

Saturday, 10 am–3 pm & Sunday, 10 am–2 pm

Tauranga Racecourse, Cameron Road

In partnership with AvaNiu Pasifika, Huria Trust, Ngāti Ranginui Iwi, Pacific Island Community (Tauranga) Trust, Pirirākau Hauora, and Te Pare ō Toi.

Te Puke

Saturday, 10 am–3 pm

Commerce Lane carpark (behind New World)

In partnership with Poutiri Trust.

Whakatāne

Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–3 pm

The Hub, 13 State Highway 30 (near the big bridge)

In partnership with Te Puna Ora o Mataatua.

Ōpōtiki

Saturday, 10 am–3 pm

Whakatōhea Health Centre, 32A King Street

In partnership with Te Pou Oranga o Whakatōhea.

Kawerau

Saturday, 10 am–3 pm

Ron Hardie Recreation Centre, Onslow Street

In partnership with Nō te K mō te K | In the K for the K.

For more information, visit bopdhb.health.nz/super-tamariki-day