The Canterbury Clinical Network (CCN) mahi whānau (work family) have raided their fabric stash and dusted off their sewing machines to help supply face masks to some of the community.

Hauora Māori and Equity Lead Ngaire Button highlighted to the CCN programme office team that for many buying face masks can be a financial struggle, so the team came together to plan a sewing bee.  

Project Lead for Te Tumu Waiora Canterbury Hiedee Harris who rallied the team says it was a fantastic way for the team to come together in a creative way to help our community. 

“One evening we met to learn how to make the masks, which we combined with music, kai and laughter. Going forward we’ve created a sewing chain, which involves each person passing on the mask in various stages of completion from cutting out the fabric, sewing and finally packaging them,” says Hiedee.   

Ngaire will deliver the masks to the Christchurch Multicultural Council, who help to support the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) community in Christchurch, including helping migrants new to the area with settlement. 

“Even access to necessities, like face masks can so easily become an equity issue and I’m proud of our team for stepping up to help provide for our vulnerable communities,” says Ngaire.