Free N95 Masks For All!

Time and again, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown our wellbeing is deeply interconnected with those around us. When everyone has the resources they need to keep themselves well, our whånau, neighbourhoods, and communities stay well together.

But right now, unequal access to effective masks is creating an unfair risk to the wellbeing of people who can’t afford to pay for them. Considering the significant rise in inflation (1), stagnant wages, and skyrocketing rents (2), many families are struggling, despite their best efforts. As a result, having good quality masks is well out of reach for many.

That’s why we’re calling for the Government to provide free N95 or equivalent quality filtration masks to everyone in Aotearoa, with urgent priority given to those who need them most - parents of young children, students, people in prison, and public-facing workers.

Everyone, no matter who we are or where we live, deserves to be able to look after ourselves and our loved ones. A universal approach will be efficient, fair, and effective at distributing urgently needed masks and ensuring the people who need them most receive them.