Musician Teeks has issued a plea on social media for people to get the COVID-19 vaccine, highlighting the increased vulnerability of Māori and Pasifika communities to the virus.
"Please get vaccinated. We are tired," the 'First time' singer tweeted, later elaborating on his thoughts around vaccine hesitancy and the power of the "collective effort" on Instagram.
"Don't get me wrong, I understand the hesitancy - I wasn't immunised for anything as a child (this isn't uncommon among Māori)," he wrote on his Instagram Story.
"Putting our trust in Western medicine and a health system that has failed our people for generations can be confusing and conflicting.
"With all that said, for the sake of life and cultural preservation it's imperative that we think critically and urgently with regards to our decisions around the vaccine."
The award-winning artist went on to say the virus is "not of our world", adding "unfortunately we don't have the intrinsic tools to defend from it".
"We only need to look to the past to be reminded of the decimating impact influenza had on Māori and Pasifika populations," Teeks said.
"The reality is we are more vulnerable and more susceptible and any potential risk posed by the vaccine is insignificant compared to the risk of the virus spreading through our communities."
Teeks urged his followers to follow the advice of genuine experts and pay attention to the documented science behind the vaccine.
"Please listen and consider the wider impact of your decisions. Yes it's your choice. Nobody is taking that away from you. What we are asking is that you choose to do what's right," he wrote.
"Choose to be part of the collective effort. Choose selflessness and sacrifice for the greater good. If we're going to win we can only do it together."
In another tweet, Teeks attempted to provide further reassurance.
"Taking the vaccine does not diminish your sovereignty or mana motuhake," he wrote. "It only enhances and protects the very essence of what these principles stand for."
'Mana motuhake' refers to the concept of self-determination, autonomy and control over one's destiny.
Last month, Teeks mused upon the idea of a time-limit on vaccinations, wondering if limited availability would provide an incentive.
"What if there was a time limit on being able to receive the vaccine? And once the window closed the Government shipped all our unwanted stock to undeveloped countries? I wonder if people's minds would change then," he wrote.
"Let's be honest, most people aren't refusing because of a lack of information, data or scientific evidence. It's not about freedom or choice, it's about entitlement."
