Conch News - Pacific Health Voices

Issue 1 December 2012
Pacific Health Professionals Organisations
Conch News
Pacific Health Professionals Organisations report the latest news

Fakatalofa atu
Kia orana
Welcome to the inaugural edition of “Conch News” the new Pacific Health -
Professional Organizations’ (PHPO) newsletter. We are delighted to share with you
stories of our activities, events and other information about our involvement in the Pacific
health arena.
The Cook Islands Health Network Association, the Tongan, Fiji and Samoan Nurses
Associations, Aki’heuho Tongan health workers, Pasifikology and the Tokelau Nurses and
health workers along with Pasifika Medical Association have come together to develop
and strengthen the Pacific health workforce while working to improve health outcomes
for our communities.
Taloha ni
Aloha
Malo e lelei
Namaste
Talofa lava
Ni sa bula vinaka
Fakalofa lahi atu
It has taken close to three years to align our different organisations with 2012 being the
first year of shared business management services, with the introduction of e-tools to
manage this new way of working so that we can increase and support our members,
provide clinical development and evaluate our progress.
Fakatalofa atu
Warm Pacific greetings
Talofa lava
Namaste
Halo ola keta
We hope that you will enjoy our news and if you have any feedback or wish to contact any
one of the organisations our email addresses are included.
Fakalofa lahi atu
Halo ola keta
Mauri
Kia manuia,
Ms Kim Wright
PHPO Programme Director Relationship Services
Page 2

INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Pg 4
Pasifika Medical Association
Pg 6
Pg 8
Pg 10
Pg 12
Pg 14
Pg 16
Pg 18
Pg 19
Cook Islands Health Network Association
Fiji Nurses Association
Samoa Nurses Association
Tongan Nurses Association
Tokelau Nurses & Health Workers Association
New Zealand
‘Akiheuho
Pasifikology
PHPO Contact List
Page 3

Pasifika Medical Association
President: Dr Kiki Maoate FRACS
Malo e lelei from Pasifika Medical Association,
The Pasifika Medical Association is pleased to have this publication for the Pacific Health Professional
Organisations, launched before the start of a brand new year.
In recent months, the Pasifika Medical Association had its 15th annual conference in Auckland with over 200
delegates from around New Zealand and across the Pacific.
Keynote speakers also travelled from far and wide, presenting works based on the themes for the event:
Workforce Strategies, Strengthening Career Pathways and Development, and Disaster Responsiveness and
Preparedness.
Our guest keynote speaker, Hon Tariana Turia, addressed the women of our
conference at the ‘Pacific Women’s Working Breakfast’, to show her support for
Pacific women’s aspirations.
The following is an excerpt from an address by the Associate Minister of Health,
Hon Tariana Turia on Friday the 12th of October at 8.00am:
“What a great way to start the day – attending a working breakfast with a room full of
Pasifika women. True to form, Pasifika women work at breakfast, lunch and tea – no surprises there.But today I hope our
work takes on a new dimension – the opportunity to work for our future; to work out strategies and means by which our
aspirations can be achieved.
I want to congratulate the Pasifika Medical Association for your decision to recognise the leadership of Pasifika women;
and in doing so to particularly acknowledge Debbie Sorensen for her vision as Chief Executive.
The concept of aspiration is one that I am always fascinated in. “A strong desire to achieve something higher or greater”.
So how I interpret this for the purposes of this hui, is that the desire to achieve something greater for your whānau, your
aiga, your family – is part of your everyday life; your work; your home; it is as natural as breathing
As this conference was opening yesterday, there was a headline in the local paper that took my eye. It told the story of
a fifteen year old Tongan girl, Palu Fia, who had joined scores of sports fans to welcome Olympic gold medallist Valerie
Adams as she arrived at Palmerston North airport.
Into a sea of Tongan red, Palu was spotted and asked why seeing Valerie was so important to her. Turns out this young
girl had thrown her way to third place in shotput at the interschool athletics competition, and she dreamed of one day
becoming the next Valerie Adams. Her response to the reporter was magical, “She’s amazing, she’s really an inspiration.
She’s motivated me to do my best”.
Now I thought about that story, when I was thinking about the Healthcare Heroes programme that your
Association has pioneered across fifteen secondary schools in Auckland. This is a fantastic programme, focused on
encouraging Pasifika students to participate, engage and achieve in science with the ultimate goal to study for a
Health Science Degree.
Page 4

I remember Alfred Ngaro saying at the Whānau Ora hui last year, to help change a culture, learn to ask a powerful
question.
What is it that you want for your peoples, your communities, your families? How do Pasifika values and
ideologies determine your solutions? What are the powerful questions that you ask of yourself?
Each of the Pacific nations gathered here today have their own unique histories, traditions and legacies of leadership that
will be your most powerful resource in helping your aspirations live. There will be commonalities that we can treasure;
there will also be differences that we should celebrate.
The message of the metaphors and narratives from within your own cultures will be crucial in helping you to find your
own solutions; to recreate the power and influence of the village in Aotearoa.
Your work is making a difference and we are better for it”.
The conference was also privileged to host the launch of the Pacific Branch, New Zealand Prostate Cancer
Foundation. We raised $1000.00 in honour of the occasion and also managed to raise another $1000.00 for the
Fred Hollows foundation that partner with PMA.
It has been decided that the PMA conference will be held in Tonga next year. Dates will be confirmed in the new
year and information on the topics for abstracts will be revealed in due course also.
We thank and congratulate you all for your efforts this year and we look forward to
news and updates from your part of the Pacific health sector.
Malo ‘aupito
Debbie Sorensen
Chief Executive Officer
Pasifika Medical Association
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Cook Islands Health Network Association
Vice President: Ms Metua Bates
ANNUAL HEALTH CONFERENCE TE MARAE ORA
An excited CIHNA executive team made their way once again to Rarotonga and Aitutaki, from the 11 – 17
July 2012, for the annual health conference to support Te Marae Ora – the Cook Islands Ministry of Health
- who host the conference each year. Titled: “VISION INTO ACTION: Addressing the NCD Crisis in the
Cook Islands”, the conference hosted a number of key international and national speakers including
Dr Baoping Yang, WHO representative from Apia, Dr Clark from the University of Otago, CEO of
CMDHB Geraint Martin, CMDHB Board Chair Dr Gregor Coster, Dr Kati Blattner of the Division of Rural
Hospital Medicine Partnership Programme, Dr Robert Eason, Dr Paul Rosser, Dr John Veale, Dr Garth
Smith, Dr Lance O’Sullivan, Dr Francis Agnew, Dr Evangelene Daniela, Dr Epenesa Olo-Whaanga and
many others. A concurrent CME workshop series was also conducted simultaneously for Rural Hospital
Medicine doctors at the Pukapuka Hostel.
One of the key presentations that provoked active audience participation was from the New Zealand Pacific
Islands Family (PIF study) which discussed the low numbers of Cook Islands language speakers in New
Zealand. This hot topic is one which is of ongoing interest to the Cook Islands people back home as well
as in New Zealand and will be ‘talked about’ and actions taken to remedy for some time into the future in
many different ways i.e. education, health, economic development, research and community initiatives.
We shall see what impact this has on the future NCD status of the citizens of the Cook Islands.
The third day of the conference was postponed allowing participants to attend the state funeral of the late
Sir Terepai Maoate KBE. What an honour it was to share that platform with international dignitaries,
political colleagues, community leaders and the people of the Cook Islands and be able to pay our respects
to our friend and colleague, Dr Kiki Maoate and his family.
CIHNA members who travelled to the Aitutaki part of the conference also shared what they could from the
Rarotonga conference and included inspirational sharing with students potential career opportunities in
health from those who are at the peak of their careers, fellow Cook Islands people and professionals with
the best interests of Cook Islands people at heart.
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TURAMA 2012 – VISION 2020
THE JOURNEY: Transformation In Action Islands Health & Disability Conference
“I’m here to listen...” said the Honourable Tariana Turia in her opening speech of CIHNA’s fifth
Turama conference since 2007 at the Dream Centre in Manukau 13-14 September 2012.
These words were also echoed by the CEO of the Health Promotion Agency, Clive Nelson, in his address
the second morning. Cook Islands solutions to Cook Islands issues were discussed and shared in a
moving transformational depiction. Hosted by a collaboration of CIHNA, the Cook Islands
Development Agency New Zealand (CIDANZ) and the Auckland branch of the Cook Islands Research
Association (CIRA), Turama 2012 celebrated the success of the late Cook Islands former Prime Minister
Sir Terepai Maoate KBE, with a posthumous Award of Excellence at the dinner. Pauline Winter QSO
current Director Office of Pasifika Advancement AUT and encumbent CEO Ministry of Pacific Island
Affairs, was the dinner guest speaker.
Progress of the partnership ROADCIPP (Reducing Obesity and Diabetes in Cook Islands and Pacific
Peoples) project between CIHNA, CIDANZ and CIRA which resulted from Turama 2011, was presented
by executive members who were part of the first cohort of participants at different stages from 0 kgs –
27kgs loss by individuals. The notable fitness and younger looking trim and trimming participants was
a beauty to behold and truly inspirational. The executive are clear they will not ask our community to do
anything they’re not willing to do themselves.
Turama’s emphasis on health and disability, education and economic development culminated in the
initial workshop towards a Cook Islands Development Action Plan resourced by the Department of
Internal Affairs and facilitated by the CIDANZ team.
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Fiji Nurses Association (FNA) Update
President: Mr Abel Smith
The Fiji Nurses Association NZ programmes this year have focussed on recruitment and retention,
Pacific health workforce issues and improvement of our structure and set up all around New Zealand.
Over the past nine months we have embarked on recruitment drives all around New Zealand and this
has included the setup of two new branches. The response to date has been very positive. We started
2012 with only three branches, and to date we have opened up two new branches. We now have
branches in Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, Christchurch and Rotorua/-Hastings. As part of the
structure set up process we have encouraged all the branches to set up their own committees to
administer the work and affairs of the branches and these committees report to the National Executive
Committee. Membership has grown from 160 members at the beginning of 2012 to 201 as of 31/10/12.
We have
continued to
support the work
of the
Pacific Nursing
section of NZNO
and the Pacific
Health
Professionals
Organisation and
our aim has been
Health Workforce Symposium, June 2012, Wellington Branch
to increase our
visibility and participation in the work of the mentioned organisations. Our members have participated
in workshops, seminars and conferences nationally and abroad and we hope to continue to support our
members to attend these conferences and seminars in the future.
We have recently undertaken a fundraising project to raise funds to support our member delegation to
attend the 2012 South Pacific Nurses Forum in Melbourne in November 2012. Twenty Six of our
members have confirmed that they will be attending this conference. We plan to also organise a fund
raising event to support our nurses attend a nursing sports day in Fiji in 2013 and this fundraising
event themed “Fiji Bollywood Night” is planned for the 16th of February 2013. Further details about this
event will be made known once we have confirmed the venue. Our Nurses Christian fellowship group
have also been active throughout the year with quarterly Nurses church service organised including
a service to commemorate International Nurses Day. Two of our members represented us at the Fiji
Nurses Christian Fellowship Annual Conference held in Fiji in June of this year.
Page 8
Members entertaining our guests at the Bula Night Fundraising Event, July 2012

Pacific Health Workforce Symposiums were held in Wellington and Christchurch in the first half of this
year and we have plans to have a further symposium in Auckland sometime early next year. The target
audience for these symposiums are Fijian secondary school students. The aim of these workshops is to
highlight different possible careers in the health sector and how our community members can work
towards a career in the health sector.
Fiji Nurses Association Upcoming Events
Recruitment drive, Christchurch Branch
• Thanks Giving Service
• Annual General Meeting
Fiji Nurses Christian Fellowship Date: 15th February 2013
Date: 16th December 2012
Where: To be held in Auckland
Where: To be held in Auckland
• Fiji Bollywood Social Night
• Wellington Branch Visit
Date: 16th February 2013 Date: 9th March 2013
Where: Auckland Branch
Where: Wellington
• Christchurch Branch Visit
• Health Workforce Symposium
Date: 29th March 2013 Date: 19th April 2013
Where: Christchurch
Where: Auckland
NOTE: Other events and plans for the 2013 and 2014 period will be discussed and confirmed at the
2013 Annual General Meeting scheduled for the 1th of February
Students Are Our Future
Give back to the Pacific by helping to develop
Pacific health professionals of excellence.
Become a Mentor today.
www.pacifichealth.org.nz
Page 9

Samoan Nurses Association
President: Lemalu Taiivao Siniva Cruickshank
Talofa Lava from Samoa Nurses Association
The driving force behind the movement to establish a national body for Samoan nurses was the
relentless pursuit by Samoa trained nurses to have their qualifications and experience acknowledged
and recognized in NZ during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. These pioneering nurses had high hopes of
working as registered nurses in NZ.
Pioneers of the Samoa Nurses Association in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s
Using their personal resources and with the support of their families and their communities, they
worked hard to try and influence those in authority. It was within this context and environment that the
Samoan Nurses Association of New Zealand (SNANZ) was formed and developed.
1988 was the first inaugural national conference in Auckland, where Samoan Nurses came together
from Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland to form the National Samoan Nurses Association of NZ.
Samoa Nurses Association Conference in Wellington 2006
This continued to be an annual gathering for Samoan nurses, held at different regions from time to
time (.i.e. from Auckland to Wellington to Christchurch and according to National Executive’s Action
plans.)
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The Samoan Nurses Association has a membership of 150. The Samoan Nurses Association had
contributed tremendously to the Pacific nursing development in Aotearoa NZ. Its key achievements
during its journey are noted in ‘Our Journey Information Booklet’
Samoa Nurses Association at the Auckland Regional Nurses Group Open Day;
marking the International Nurses Day at Aotea Square (12th May 2012)
On October 5th 2012, the Samoan Nurses Association held its 24th annual conference, held at the School
of Population, Tamaki Campus, Auckland. The conference theme was ‘Closing the Gap – from Theory to
Practice – Culturally Competence’ which about ‘Embracing our heritage, our culture,
our values in the practice of CARING, the essence of Nursing’.
Samoa Nurses Association and Tonga Nurses Association (NZ) participating at the Auckland Regional
Nurses Group Open Day; marking the International Nurses Day at Aotea Square (12th May 2012)
The objectives for the conference were for Nurses, midwives and health professionals of different
disciplines to be culturally competent (Samoa perspective) especially with caring for Samoan clients.
It was attended by more than 130 participants. Most of the participants were registered nurses, student
nurses & midwives, community health workers and other health professionals, from Auckland and other
parts of NZ. SNA members came from Christchurch, Wellington Hamilton and Whangarei.
The Keynote speaker was Matamua Iokapeta Sina Enoka , Consultant Nurses Specialist of Tausi Soifua
Nurse Agency , Samoa. Also in attendance were the TNA President Mrs Eseta Finau and members, and
nurses from other places as far as Afghanistan. It was a very interesting, fruitful and successful day for
all. The day ended with a dinner celebration that was enjoyed by everyone.
Thank You Samoan Nurses Association, well done & God bless you all.
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Tongan Nurses Association (NZ)
President: Mrs ‘Eseta Finau ONZM
Malo e Lelei from the Tongan Nurses Association of NZ Inc.
TNA continues to promote nursing as a career option for Tongan women and men. It has
highlighted to the community the role of nursing in community development and families.
TNA has also contributed to other Pacific nurses and organizations, to strengthen culturally
appropriate nursing for Pacificans. TNA has organized and participated in health meetings and
activities for continuing education in health worker development.
TNA continues to assist Tongan nurses to sit for the IELTS exam, as well as support them through their
registration process to the NZ Nursing Council. It has formally provided support for Pacific Health
Dialog and other health publications including ANA, NZNO and PIFNAG.
Members of TNA continue to work and support the Tongan Health Society and Langimalie Health
Centre at strategic and operational levels. TNA continues to support and participate in the Health days
and activities of the Tongan community throughout New Zealand.
Website: Please visit our website for more information: www.tongannurses.com
Some of TNA’s activities include the following:
1. Monthly scheduled meeting of members is ongoing.
2. Planning of upcoming Study Day on Rheumatic fever, disease and prevention as well as
Spirometry workshop.
3. Nursing promotion ongoing via Radio fortnightly program, emails and colleagues.
4. Annual Ball on Saturday 6th October 2012 at the Rendezvous Hotel, Auckland, was a
success.
5. Network with other ethnic nursing groups ongoing.
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6. Continued support from Margaret Cain, NZNO Professional Nursing Advisor through
study days as Guest speaker and updated NZNO information.
7. Congratulations go to Mele Kaufusi our Specialist Nurse Diabetes, ADHB who is one
of those few nurses that were granted the Diabetic Nurse Prescriber status a few
months. Well done Mele!
8. TNA in partnership with Pasifika Research Group, Massey University is conducting a
Household Questionnaire Survey: Remittances Flows from New Zealand to Tonga.
The study aims to analyse how the remittances are send and how it helps finance the
basic needs (food, shelter, clothing, etc) of the people in Tonga. It also aims to unde
stand the types of assistance and motivations of remittances.
9. TNA and members continue to provide community health talks to respective
communities throughout New Zealand.
To the rest of the TNA members, malo ‘aupito for all your support, patience and dedication.
Malo and God bless!
‘Eseta Finau
President
Tongan Nurses Association of NZ Inc.
International Tongan Nurses Conference, Vakaloa Beach Resort, Tonga
Tongan Nurses Day, New Zealand Page 13

Tokelau Nurses & Health Workers
Association New Zealand Inc. (TNHANZ)
President: Mr Kupa Kupa
Malo ni from Tokelau Nurses & Health Workers Association New Zealand.
Congratulations to the Pacific Health Professional Organisations (PHPO) for
believing that we could share a journey together as Pacific health professionals, for
the benefit and advancement of our individual organization members. For this
first newsletter we wish to have a focus on our logo because it symbolizes our identity and our purpose.
This is a very interesting time for us and the establishment of the Tokelau Nurses & Health Workers
Association New Zealand Inc. (TNHANZ), is a story that resonates with our Tokelau pioneer families
that first arrived onto the shores of Aotearoa New Zealand since the 1950’s. Our own families have
shared with us that their aspirations were dedicated to ensuring a better future for us and, TNHANZ is
an example of realizing this.
We began as a small group of Tokelau nurses that met regularly since 2006 for peer support yet, our
current existence and future role within the Tokelau community is being shaped by significant health
events affecting our community which includes addressing suicide. We have responded to our
communities needs in the best way possible involving consultations, workshops, making health
information available, and sourcing funds to carry out our work. And while these are examples of
activities within the community, we have channeled our efforts at various other levels. This has included
formalizing our group through the Charities Commission in 2008, participating in the development of
the Pacific Nurses Section NZNO, undertaking recruitment drives across the country to grow our small
association, and more recently participating in the establishment of PHPO.
Our journey thus far has been challenging with milestones achieved as per our strategic plan and, we
have faced some difficulties especially with key foundation members leaving with their families to go
overseas reducing both our valued human resource and, an already small membership. However, our
logo has been an enduring part of our existence which constantly reminds us of our humble beginnings.
It also helps us to reflect on the reasons which motivated us in the first place to explore new
opportunities for growth.
An important part of our development was preserving our cultural and traditional values and reflecting
this through a logo. We wanted a concept that identified our Tokelau heritage, is well connected to the
work we do and, clearly indicates our own aspirations. The revelation came in the form of an ancient
Tokelau proverb ` Palepale ia taumua o vaka ki te malama o te tauhunu’.
Our elders explained that the tauhunu tree has medicinal uses. Within the context of our group though
this relates to the tautai (master fisherman) lying low underneath the tauhunu tree for strategic cover.
From this vantage point they are able to coordinate and provide direction using hand signals to other
fisherman out in their vaka (or in the water), patiently watching and following to see where the school of
fish will move to in order to catch them.
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We are privileged to use this proverb and to become those tautai in the health sector, to create strategic vantage
points that will enable us to provide support to our communities where this is required.
We adopted this part of the proverb `Te Malama O Te Tauhunu’ which, together with TNHANZ have
become our legal names. The colours used in our logo also have special meaning and are connected to colours
that have become affiliated to each atoll and, over time these have become a tradition.
The colour blue represents Atafu, green for Nukunonu, and red for Fakaofo. This complete logo
reinforces the unity of the atolls which make up Tokelau, as well as acknowledging the unique
differences between each atoll. This is reflected in our membership. Te Malama O Te Tauhunu is our identity,
a Tokelau name to remind us of our obligations to our chosen profession and to our communities.
We hope to share some exciting stories in the next newsletters of who we are as individuals and the
activities we have undertaken with our communities. We also acknowledge the leadership role taken by Pacific
Medical Association within the PHPO. For now though we wish you all well as we come closer to the end of
another year. Fakafetai lahi lele ma manuia lava ki tatou uma I tona aloha.
Tokelau Nurses and Health Workers Association’s Upcoming Events
• Free Gout Workshop
• Free Alcohol and Drug Awareness Workshop
Date: 15 November 2012 Date: 22 November 2012
Time: 6.00pm - 7.30pm
Time: 5.30pm - 7.00pm
Where: Pacific Business Trust Building Where: Pacific Business Trust Building
733 Great South Road 733 Great South Road
• PHPO Advisory Committee
• PHPO Christmas Duo
Strategic Planning Day Date: 14 December 2012
Date: 14 December 2012
Time: 3.30pm - 5.30pm
Time: 9.00am - 11.30am
Where: Pacific Business Trust Building
Where: Pacific Business Trust Building 733 Great South Road
733 Great South Road
Kupa Kupa
President/Chairperson
Te Malama O Te Tauhunu
Page 15

‘Akiheuho
Acting Chair: Mr Manu Fotu
This year ‘Akiheuho supported the Tongan Aotearoa Hakula Rugby League (TAHRL) teams at the recent
Cook Island tournament which was held on the weekends of 29th, 30th September and 6th, 7th October.
TAHRL provided 10 teams that in total included: U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U18, U20, senior women
and senior men teams, and it was a very successful tournament for the Tongan teams.
‘Akiheuho used this sports vehicle to promote various health promotional programmes, and this year
there was a focus on “ease up on drinking” message. We utilised the funding that ‘Akiheuho received
from ALAC to work with TAHRL to develop guidelines and policies around drinking alcohol at rugby
tournaments. Members from ‘Akiheuho delivered presentations to coaches and managers during regular
meetings so that they can in turn share the knowledge with players and also with parents, raising awareness
about the problem of the alcohol drinking culture.
It is envisaged that relations between ‘Akiheuho and TAHRL will continue to be strengthened in the future
and so enable us to address various issues relevant to the Tongan community in a holistic manner.
Page 16

‘Akiheuho String Band launches new CD resource for Tongan community
The Akiheuho String Band launched its first album on Thursday, 26th July 2012, at the Langimalie Community
Garden Centre in Onehunga. The album consists of ten original Tongan compositions and songs.
The album features songs written by our members Professor Sitaleki Finau, Manase Lua and Sione Vaka.
The album is called “Tala ‘a ‘Akiheuho – Chronicles of the ‘Akiheuho, Vol. 1”. The band is also a part of the
Aotearoa Tongan Health Workers Association’s (ATHWA) Men’s Health and Responsible Faikava work-stream.
Click here to go to our website or type in the following address
http://www.akiheuho-athwa.org.nz/Akiheuho/Home.html
The album represents a labour of love by a group of friends and associates passionate about Tonga, its people,
music, arts, traditions, culture and history. ‘Akiheuho acknowledges Papali’i Seiuli Johnny Siaosi for his wise
counsel and input into the development the CD, and also as training and therapeutic resource.
The band hopes that this CD not only inspires lovers of traditional Tongan music and hiva kakakala
(fragrant songs), but also young Tongans born and raised overseas. Every song in the CD has been translated
into English on the album sleeve. ‘Akiheuho (pronounced: Aah-kee-he-uu-haw) was the flagship of the ancient
Tu’i Tonga royal naval fleet at the height of the Tongan Empire in the Pacific. The closest translation for
‘Akiheuho is “awaken to the core” or “rise to the occasion” the singular word “uho” meaning the root, core or
objective (referring to the ancient Tu’i Tonga and now the current King of Tonga and his family or Ha’a
Moheofo).
The band and ATHWA wishes to thank the following organisations; Masilamea Press, Pasifika at Massey, Noa
Enterprises and Tui Ora Live Arts Trust for their sponsorship and assistance in turning this project into reality.
The band is working on volume 2 to be released in 2013.
If you are interested in purchasing a copy for $20.00 please contact Manase Lua – nasflo@xtra.co.nz
otherwise, get a free copy when you register to become a ‘Akiheuho member by contacting -
Julie Ah-Ken on julie@pacifichealth.org.nz or 09 250 5761.
Page 17

Pasifikology Update
President: Ms Denise Kingi-’Ulu’ave
Malo e lelei from Pasifikology
This has certainly been a year full of challenges and changes for Pasifikology. After five years of
dedicated service to Pasifikology, Dr Monique Faleafa, Siautu Alefaio and Tansy Brown have decided to
step down from the executive committee.
We wish to express our sincere appreciation for their enthusiasm, passion and commitment to the
vision of Pasifikology. We also welcome to the team Dr Evangelene Daniela.
Pasifikology members have responded to the requests and challenges associated with the
disturbing increase in Pasifika youth suicides both in Aotearoa and in our island nations.
A Pasifika youth suicide symposium was held by Pasifikology at the “Growing Pacific Solutions”
conference organized by Le Va in April this year. Congratulations to Dr Faleafa for an amazing
conference and to all the presenters.
Our members in Auckland have also lobbied tirelessly to ensure there is a coordinated and culturally
appropriate response to this troubling issue. We acknowledge Pauline Taufa for her unwavering
commitment to ensuring our youth are kept safe. Several executive members have also responded to
the call from our homelands and rendered their support. We intend to continue this important
challenge and hope you will join us at the Indigenous Psychology Conference in November.
Malo ‘aupito
Denise Kingi-’Ulu’ave - Pasifikology President
‘What is Pasifikology?
Pasifikology is a network of Pasifika psychologists, graduates and students of
psychology. Our vision is to be the heart that networks, supports, promotes and grows
psychology for Pasifika, in every way, shape and form.
We are connecting Pacific psychologists so that we can all promote, inform, educate and
mentor the practice of psychology for Pasifika.
This includes growing the Pacific psychologist workforce, sharing knowledge and
information and ensuring that psychology is relevant for Pacific people in
New Zealand.
For more information please email Pasifikology1@phpo.org.nz
Denise Kingi’Ulu’ave
President
Pasifikology
Page 18

Pacific Health Professional Organisations - Contact Details:
PHPO Name Role PHPO Email
FNA Abel Smith President fna1@phpo.org.nz
FNA Vunirewa Uluilakeba Secretary fna2@phpo.org.nz
CIHNA Metua Bates Vice President cihna1@phpo.org.nz
CIHNA Tepaeru Tauraki Secretary cihna2@phpo.org.nz
ATHWA Tina Fifita Admin athwa3@phpo.org.nz
TNA ‘Eseta Finau President tna1@phpo.org.nz
SNA Siniva Cruickshank President sna1@phpo.org.nz
SNA Vai Fagatoloa Admin sna2@phpo.org.nz
PPF Denise Kingi ‘Ulu‘ave Chair pasifikology1@phpo.org.nz
TNHWA Kupa Kupa Chair tnhwa1@phpo.org.nz
TNHWA Frances Pedro Secretary tnhwa2@phpo.org.nz
PMA Kim Wright Director kim@pacifichealth.org.nz
PMA Julie Ah Ken Administrator julie@pacifichealth.org.nz
Conch News
Pacific Health Professionals Organisations report the latest news
Page 19