Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal was a series of short PSAs produced by the creators of Wellington Paranormal in conjunction with Wellington Police. First released at the time New Zealand reached Alert Status Level 4 in response to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, the series provides information on how to behave and cope with the lockdown.[1]
The series was hosted in person by Officer O’Leary and remotely by Officer Minogue, mostly from the Wellington Paranormal COVID-19 Crisis Communications Command Centre / tea room.[2] The final episode premiered on 8 May 2020, although the lockdown in New Zealand remained in place.[3]
A short follow-up series, Wellington Paranormal's COVID 2: The return, aired in August to September 2020.
Ep 1 - Distance and isolation[]
Synopsis[]
Released online a day after New Zealand reached Alert Status Level 4, Officer O’Leary informs viewers that they should now all be self-isolating at home and staying at least two metres away from each other. Minogue, now self-isolating at home, calls in to report that his house may be haunted.[2]
Cast[]
- Karen O'Leary as Officer O'Leary
- Mike Minogue as Officer Minogue
Ep 2 - Having Fun at Home[]
Synopsis[]
O’Leary and Minogue list a number of methods for passing the time without having to leave their homes.[4]
Cast[]
- Karen O'Leary as Officer O'Leary
- Mike Minogue as Officer Minogue
Ep 3 - Looking After the Older Folks[]
Synopsis[]
O’Leary reminds viewers to keep in touch with older friends and relatives who may not have access to online communication methods. Minogue gives her a call via telephone.[5]
Cast[]
- Karen O'Leary as Officer O'Leary
- Mike Minogue as Officer Minogue
Ep 4 - Ep 4 - 7 Day Twitch[]
Synopsis[]
Released after New Zealand had now been in lockdown for a week, O’Leary advises viewers to resist the temptation to leave their homes. Minogue, with his dog Tinker, video call O’Leary in a panic that his brother Adam has gone ‘full Mad Max’. O’Leary recommends that they watch the film rather than leave the house.[6]
Cast[]
- Karen O'Leary as Officer O'Leary
- Mike Minogue as Officer Minogue
- Tinker as herself
Ep 5 - Two Metres Please[]
Synopsis[]
O’Leary advises viewers to stay at least two metres away from each other. She provides a series of visual aids to represent two metres and performs a song to help viewers remember the rule.[7] A second performance of the Two Metres Please song was also uploaded onto YouTube.[8]
Cast[]
- Karen O'Leary as Officer O'Leary
- Mike Minogue as Officer Minogue
Ep 6 - Who needs Batman?[]
Synopsis[]
O’Leary and Minogue video call the new New Zealand Commissioner of Police Andrew Coster for updates on the police response to the lockdown.[9]
Cast[]
- Karen O'Leary as Officer O'Leary
- Mike Minogue as Officer Minogue
- Andrew Coster as himself
Ep 7 - TEN-FIVE[]
Synopsis[]
O’Leary reminds viewers on how to contact police during the lockdown if they need help (calling 111 for an emergency and calling 105 or visiting 105.police.govt.nz for a non-emergency). Minogue calls her to report that he has run out of pasta; O’Leary reminds him that it does not constitute a police report.[10]
Cast[]
- Karen O'Leary as Officer O'Leary
- Mike Minogue as Officer Minogue
Ep 8: Misconceptions[]
Synopsis[]
O’Leary video calls her mother to discuss misconceptions around COVID-19. O’Leary advises viewers that the most reliable source to gain information on the virus and lockdown is the covid19.govt.nz website.[11]
Cast[]
- Karen O'Leary as Officer O'Leary
- Lynda Topp as Mrs. O'Leary
Ep 9: Teenchat[]
Synopsis[]
O’Leary offers advice to teenagers and young people on how to cope with the lockdown, with Minogue ‘translating’ her speech.[12]
Cast[]
- Karen O'Leary as Officer O'Leary
- Mike Minogue as Officer Minogue
Ep 10: Paranormal Briefing[]
Synopsis[]
The Paranormal Unit, along with Constable Parker, carry out their first ever remote briefing session. Sergeant Maaka takes the opportunity to address the nation about the lockdown.[13]
Cast[]
- Karen O'Leary as Officer O'Leary
- Mike Minogue as Officer Minogue
- Maaka Pohatu as Sergeant Maaka
- Thomas Sainsbury as Constable Parker
Ep 11: Clarke & Neve[]
Synopsis[]
O’Leary and Minogue video call Clarke Gayford and give advice to viewers who are parents or carers to young children.[14]
Cast[]
- Karen O'Leary as Officer O'Leary
- Mike Minogue as Officer Minogue
- Clarke Gayford as himself
Ep 12: Supermarket Etiquette[]
Synopsis[]
O’Leary, at a supermarket, advises viewers on how to shop for food safely and effectively, while Minogue calls her to request groceries.[15]
Cast[]
- Karen O'Leary as Officer O'Leary
- Mike Minogue as Officer Minogue
Ep 13: Cycle Safety[]
Synopsis[]
O’Leary offers advice to cyclists on how to ride safely. Minogue video calls in, demonstrating his new pastime of cycling inside his own home.[16]
Cast[]
- Karen O'Leary as Officer O'Leary
- Mike Minogue as Officer Minogue
Ep 14: Ghost Cop[]
Synopsis[]
O’Leary patrols the streets of Wellington at night dressed as a ghost in an attempt to scare people breaking lockdown rules.[17]
Cast[]
- Karen O'Leary as Officer O'Leary
- Mike Minogue as Officer Minogue
Ep 15: Level 3[]
Synopsis[]
As New Zealand changes their lockdown to a Level 3, O’Leary explains the rules that have been relaxed and the restrictions still in place.[18]
Cast[]
- Karen O'Leary as Officer O'Leary
- Mike Minogue as Officer Minogue
Ep 16: The Wrap Up[]
Synopsis[]
Minogue and O’Leary conclude the series, thanking viewers for co-operating with the lockdown rules, and remind them to keep following the guidelines and support local police. A montage of notable moments from the series is then shown, leaving Minogue very emotional.[3]
Cast[]
- Karen O'Leary as Officer O'Leary
- Mike Minogue as Officer Minogue
- Lynda Topp as Mrs. O'Leary
- Ruawai Maaka as Sergeant Maaka
- Thomas Sainsbury as Constable Parker
- Tinker as herself
References[]
- ↑ "Officers O’Leary and Minogue join Paranormal covid-19 campaign" - Wellington Scoop
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 1 - Distance and isolation" - New Zealand Police
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 16: The Wrap Up" - New Zealand Police
- ↑ "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 2 - Having Fun at Home" - New Zealand Police
- ↑ "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 3 - Looking After the Older Folks" - New Zealand Police
- ↑ "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 4 - 7 Day Twitch" - New Zealand Police
- ↑ "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 5 - Two Metres Please" - New Zealand Police
- ↑ "Wellington Paranormal | "Two Metres Please" | Sing Along" - New Zealand Police
- ↑ "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 6 - Who needs Batman?" - New Zealand Police
- ↑ "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 7 - TEN-FIVE" - New Zealand Police
- ↑ "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 8: Misconceptions" - New Zealand Police
- ↑ "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 9: Teenchat" - New Zealand Police
- ↑ "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 10: Paranormal Briefing" - New Zealand Police
- ↑ "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 11: Clarke & Neve" - New Zealand Police
- ↑ "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 12: Supermarket Etiquette" - New Zealand Police
- ↑ "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 13: Cycle Safety" - New Zealand Police
- ↑ "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 14: Ghost Cop" - New Zealand Police
- ↑ "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 15: Level 3" - New Zealand Police