(Reuters) – Prime Minister Jacinda Adern urged New Zealanders to join forces in fighting COVID-19 on Sunday, after the nation was forced to commemorate its Waitangi Day online due to the pandemic.

Ardern urges vaccinations due to a rising Omicron strain, which is highly transmissible.

Ardern stated in an unrecorded speech that “all of us have the duty to protect our communities using all the science and medicine has given us.”

Over the years, we’ve demonstrated our mutual understanding and cooperation. Although it wasn’t easy at times, it was worth the effort. However, we all have and continue to overcome this together.”

According to data from the Health Ministry, 93% of adults over 12 years old have had their vaccines completed. 49% have received booster shots. However, infections continue rising. On Sunday, there were 208 new community cases, following a record https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/new-zealand-reports-record-243-new-covid-cases-2022-02-05 243 the previous day.

Waitangi Day was named after the North Island region where the British Crown and over 500 Maori Chiefs signed an 1840 founding treaty.

Maori are 15% of New Zealand’s population. However, they were forced from large parts of their land in British colonisation. Many protested on Waitangi Day in years past for social and civil rights. They also criticised successive governments for failing to do enough.

Ardern’s government established the Maori Health Authority in December to provide better access for Maori to health care.

Ardern declared on Sunday that “we have an obligation make sure everybody has access to healthcare and that you do not die younger than any other New Zealander because you’re Maori.”

Lidia Kelly Reports in Melbourne, Edited by William Mallard