Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal

***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.

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. The final episode premiered on 8 May 2020, although the lockdown in New Zealand remained in place.

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.

### 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.

### 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.

### Cast

* Karen O'Leary as Officer O'Leary
* Mike Minogue as Officer Minogue

## *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.

### 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.
A second performance of the *Two Metres Please* song was also uploaded onto YouTube.

### 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.

### 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.

### 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.

### 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.

### 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.

### 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.

### 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.

### 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.

### 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.

### 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.

### 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.

### 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

1. ↑  "Officers O’Leary and Minogue join Paranormal covid-19 campaign" - Wellington Scoop
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1  "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 1 - Distance and isolation" - New Zealand Police
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1  "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 16: The Wrap Up" - New Zealand Police
4. ↑  "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 2 - Having Fun at Home" - New Zealand Police
5. ↑  "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 3 - Looking After the Older Folks" - New Zealand Police
6. ↑  "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 4 - 7 Day Twitch" - New Zealand Police
7. ↑  "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 5 - Two Metres Please" - New Zealand Police
8. ↑  "Wellington Paranormal | "Two Metres Please" | Sing Along" - New Zealand Police
9. ↑  "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 6 - Who needs Batman?" - New Zealand Police
10. ↑  "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 7 - TEN-FIVE" - New Zealand Police
11. ↑  "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 8: Misconceptions" - New Zealand Police
12. ↑  "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 9: Teenchat" - New Zealand Police
13. ↑  "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 10: Paranormal Briefing" - New Zealand Police
14. ↑  "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 11: Clarke & Neve" - New Zealand Police
15. ↑  "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 12: Supermarket Etiquette" - New Zealand Police
16. ↑  "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 13: Cycle Safety" - New Zealand Police
17. ↑  "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 14: Ghost Cop" - New Zealand Police
18. ↑  "Important COVID-19 messages from Wellington Paranormal: Ep 15: Level 3" - New Zealand Police