Pacifikai

23/09/2025

STAFF SPOTLIGHT 🌟 Meet Fox Inivale!

Fox is our Multicultural Liaison Officer at the Logan Hospital. He supports the cultural needs for patients and their families while they’re in hospital. Fox’s role has been part of Pacifikai’s response to Pacific people’s healthcare at the Logan Hospital since 2018.

In August, the Logan Hospital celebrated Multicultural Month with staff and patients coming together to recognise the richness of cultural diversity in the community and health service.

At their Multicultural Awards Ceremony, Fox was named winner of the Individual category for his dedication and commitment to providing the best possible culturally responsive approaches to healthcare for our families 🥳

Fa’afetai for everything you have done and continue to do, Fox. Fa’amālō atu!

10/09/2025

“That is so ✨different✨” - Mele, 2025

The team’s first impression of our new banner with fresh Pacifikai branding before our launch earlier this year!

21/08/2025

“We are tūpuna fed and mokopuna led,” words of wisdom from our Program Manager, Kirstine Kira, accepting the Children’s Health Queensland Excellence Award for Partnerships on behalf of Pacifikai.

An honour to be nominated, humbled to win. This recognition is dedicated to the young Pacific Islander people we engage with every single day. It’s their voices that steer our waka forward.

03/08/2025

Kia ora!
Screening for a Better Future would like to hear your thoughts on screening children and young people for type 2 diabetes. If you would like to be part of this important talanoa, please see the post below for more details 🌺

Tēnā koe, Tālofa, Mālō e lelei, Ni Sa Bula Vinaka, Kia Orana, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Mālo Ni, Ko Na Mauri – Warm Pacific Greetings 🌺

He aha te mea nui o te Ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.
- What is the greatest thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.

• Do you identify with a Māori & Pacific Islander cultural heritage?
• Are you a parent of a child aged younger than 18 years?
• Are you currently living in Australia?

➡️ If you said yes to all three, WE WOULD LOVE TO TALANOA WITH YOU!

We would like to hear what you think about screening children and young people for type 2 diabetes, via a talanoa/kōrero session. This will help us to develop a screening strategy that is accepted by the Māori & Pacific Islander community.

If you would like to help us, you can register your interest via the link.

https://uniofqueensland.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eezcS5JAq9lRpgW

Thank you for your support and for helping us make a difference. If you have any questions or if you would like more information, please reach out to Jess via email at j.hardt@uq.edu.au.

Ngā mihi, Fa’afetai lava, Vinaka Vakalevu, Meitaki Ma’ata, Mālō ‘aupito, Kam Rabwa – Thank you! 🌺

21/07/2025

A look back at our Brisbane launch earlier this year!

Thank you to our families, friends, and community for showing up and enjoying a fun night with us 🌊

📸 Māfana Media

18/07/2025

Snapshots from our launch event in Cairns!

Thank you to our family who joined us on the night to celebrate the rebranding of our program 🌊

17/04/2025

In one of our co-design workshops, Victor, a young Papua New Guinean boy, decided he needed some inspiration. So, he took to something our people know only all too well — music. He picked up a guitar, sang around the room, and like a gift sent to him straight from his ancestors, it came to him. He walked up to Debra, one of our Project Officers, and said “Aunty, what about PACIFIKAI?”

A powerful blend of two words, Pacific and Kai. A name that is truly representative of our program as it speaks to the strong relationships we have with each other as Pacific Islanders, as well as the significance we place on food that brings us together.

Out of all the name suggestions that were brought forth during our workshops, this name was voted as most popular by over 300 Māori and Pacific Islander children and young people across the state.

At our Cairns launch, Debra was able to reveal to Victor that his beautifully crafted name would be what we are now called for the first time and the surprise on his face says it all!

03/04/2025

Our community in Cairns were the first to unveil our new name and vibe 🌺

We showcased activities from our Good Start to Life and our School Based Health Promotion teams. We celebrated the only way we know how — with music, dance, and laughter and we were treated to performances from CMFI Cairns Youth 🥳

Thank you to everyone who could join us and be a part of our special day and we extend our gratitude to the community who have been with us since the beginning! We are excited to enter this new era with you as PACIFIKAI 🙏🏽🌊

31/03/2025

Warm Pacific Greetings,

In early 2024, an opportunity presented itself to reimagine what our program could look and feel like, and we jumped at the chance to work with our tamariki (children). After nearly 12 months of community workshops and genuine co-design, we have engaged over 300 Māori & Pacific Islander children and young people across South East Queensland and Far North Queensland. Together, we are excited to announce that we have a new name and vibe!

PACIFIKAI

A combination of two words: Pacific and Kai. The word 'Pacific' referring to the Pacific Islands from which our community draw genealogical, cultural, and spiritual ties to. 'Kai' meaning food in many language groups across the Pacific. As a Queensland Health initiative that focuses on nutrition-related chronic disease, this name is representative of our program as it speaks to the strong relationships we have with one another as well as the cultural significance we place on food that brings us together.

After 14 years, the name ‘Good Start’ has well and truly served its purpose. There are many people who have been a part of the Good Start story since its inception in 2011 shaping it to be the Children’s Health Queensland service we know it to be today, and we promise that this will not change. We are still the same program delivering culturally tailored services to support the health and wellbeing of Māori & Pacific Islander children, young people, and families across Queensland.

From all of us here at PACIFIKAI, thank you for joining us on this journey!

26/03/2025

Hey there 👋🏽☺️ It’s been a while, but we’re back and ready to connect!

We’ve been busy behind the scenes and we’re excited to share what’s new at our very first community event for 2025 🥳

We would love you to join us for some free family activities, light refreshments, and FUN!

Register using the QR code below:

11/05/2023

Talofa lava,

We have some available spots for our Healthier Together, 5-week Cooking Classes at the following locations below. Please register using the link, and we will get in contact with you 😊

Monday - Berrinba Wetlands
Tuesday - Yarrabilba Family and Community Place
Wednesday - Berrinba Wetlands

https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/service-healthier-together/

14/03/2023

Yarrabilba and Logan families! Pop over to the BIGGEST playgroups happening next week on the 22nd and 23rd of March!

A FREE event to engage in various activities and services. Our lovely staff members from the Good Start Program will be running activities to engage with you all :)

For more details, please see the flyers attached below. We hope to see you all there.