Southland Mayor Gary Tong and Gore Mayor Tracy Hicks hit the road yesterday with their caravans to start their Farmgate Tour through their districts to get as many rural Southlanders as possible jabbed.
Mr Tong knew many rural people were flat-out with their farm duties and did not have time to travel to get vaccinations.
The mayors wanted to make it as easy as possible for people to have their shots, he said.
"Whether it is one or 100 it doesn’t matter - as long we can come out here and give the opportunity for people."
Mr Tong was using his own caravan as a mobile clinic, and a Southland approach had been taken with the campaign’s logo and stickers, which read, "Rrroll up your sleeves, Southland", alluding to the southern accent.
"We want to do everything we can to help our people," he said.
Wrights Bush contractor Hamish Stuart was one of the first people to take advantage of the tour.
He had his first Pfizer dose during the the tour’s first stop, at Wrights Bush Rugby Club, yesterday.
Mr Stuart said because he was so busy at work he did not have time to get his jab, so he was pleased the vaccine had come to his community.
"I was busy. It was hard just to get an appointment and have time to do it ...
"It is very convenient to have them here. Makes things easier."
Mr Hicks was pleased with the turnout for the first day - just in his first location at Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre in Mandeville, 16 people received vaccine doses.
"Quite a number of those were the first dose - which is quite good."
It was a "really good start" to the tour, he said.
By 7.30pm yesterday, Mr Hicks’ team had given 50 jabs and Mr Tong’s had given more than 40.
The Southern District Health Board (SDHB) earlier this week said the Southland district had 65.27% of its population over age 12 double-vaccinated, and 81.57% had received the first dose.
SDHB vaccine programme lead Hamish Brown was grateful for the support of councils and businesses to reach rural populations.
"The more people who are vaccinated, the better protection our community has against Covid-19 and the sooner we can get back to doing the things we love.
The tour continues until Friday and today will be in Centre Bush, Dipton, Waikaka and Wyndham townships.
