Pasifika Medical Association Group

Home
New Zealand
Auckland
Pasifika Medical Association Group

Working together to meet the health needs of Pacific people in New Zealand and the Pacific region
(1)

21/08/2025

Our Ngalu Fānifo mental health team has officially commenced its first day of training with community members in the village of Paunagisu 🇻🇺

Today’s workshop brings together those working in age and home care, creating a safe space to talanoa about mental health and share practical wellbeing tips to better support the families they serve.

We are deeply grateful for our partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), which is helping deliver a week of mental health training designed to strengthen community knowledge, build confidence in having safe conversations around mental health, and equip participants with tools they can put into practice in their everyday work.

21/08/2025

The Pasifika Medical Association’s Ngalu Fānifo team recently returned from Tonga, working alongside communities, civil society, and government partners to strengthen culturally grounded mental health services. Together, we are building resilient systems that put people and wellbeing at the heart of care. 🇹🇴

🔗Read full story here https://shorturl.at/kwzh8

21/08/2025

As we celebrate Tonga Language Week, we also celebrate history in the making. Dr Supilate Mikaele, proud of her roots in Vava’u and Ha‘apai, is one of the first two Tongan women accepted into the prestigious orthopaedic training programme.

Guided by the four golden Tongan values and her passion to serve Pacific communities, Dr Mikaele hopes her journey inspires other young Tongans, especially women, to dream big. 💙🇹🇴

🔗Read full story here https://shorturl.at/61F8L

21/08/2025

As part of this year’s Uto Bulabula – Healthy Hearts initiative, we were humbled to welcome Tongan families, including Ati Toa from Vava’u and her young daughter, Paea, who travelled to Suva for life-saving cardiac surgery. Ati shared her experience during this time.

“When we first arrived in Suva from Tonga, we were scared. But as soon as we arrived, all us mothers from different countries became family, and bonded over our what we were going through with our children.”

Now, after Paea’s successful surgery, Ati relays her hopes for her daughter.

“All I want for my daughter, now that she has finished her surgery, is for her to always feel well, and to enjoy many more years.”❤️🇹🇴

19/08/2025

As part of Tonga Language Week, the PMA team took time to learn about the cultural significance of the ta'ovala, a symbol of respect, humility, and connection in Tongan culture. 🤍 This learning reminds us of the importance of honouring traditions that uphold values of respect.

Malo 'aupito to our Director of Language and Culture, Honourable Alematea Vahai and his family for the special lesson today 🇹🇴

18/08/2025

The past six weeks have seen monumental efforts in facilitating paediatric cardiac surgeries of sixteen children from Tonga, Samoa, Vanuatu, Fiji and Kiribati, at the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children's Hospital, in Fiji. These lifesaving operations come under the Uto Bulabula — Healthy Hearts initiative, a ground-breaking regional approach that commenced in 2024, providing Pacific children with a new chance at life.

Every child who received surgery during the recent mission made it safely through their operations and recovery and have now returned to their home countries with stronger hearts and a second chance at life.

🔗 Read here: https://bit.ly/45CZChP

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Sai Prema Foundation Fiji Hearts4Kids

17/08/2025

Mālō e lelei and happy Tonga Language Week from the PMA fāmili 🇹🇴

The theme for this year's Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga is 'Ko 'etau lea, ko e fe’unu mahu’inga ia ki he mo’ui ‘a e Tonga - Our language is a vital strand of our Tongan culture.’

Keep an eye on our socials this week to see how we celebrate!

15/08/2025

Recipient of the 2024/2025 PMA Knowledge Hub Master’s Scholarship, Fetuoleaniva Hunkin, has completed her research exploring the wellbeing of Pacific fathers diagnosed with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the impact on their families.

Her study involved talanoa sessions with 10 Pacific fathers, five of whom were joined by family members.

"It was always my intention to include family members so as to acknowledge a cornerstone of Pacific health and wellbeing, and I suppose Pacific life in general: family."

🔗 Read more here: https://bit.ly/3Hyoqzm

15/08/2025

Through the NZMTS, Samoa is strengthening its national laboratory services, with staff recently completing advanced quality management training in New Zealand to boost capability and resilience at home.

🔗Read full story on this initiative here https://shorturl.at/jEJi6

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

14/08/2025

Our PMA Auckland office hosted a Market Day as part of Women's Health Week, celebrating Pacific women in business. This national awareness week shines a light on the many roles women play in society and the importance of ensuring their health and wellbeing are not overlooked. Under the theme of Empowering women to prioritise their Health and Wellbeing, we spoke to some of our incredible vendors about what this means to them.

🔗 Read here: https://bit.ly/4ozGBFJ

13/08/2025

This Women’s Health Week, we’re reminded that wellbeing isn’t just about physical health, it’s about nurturing the mind, heart, and sense of purpose.

Our former Data Analyst, Aniva Bell, recently took part in the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy and says it was a turning point for her. She left the week-long programme feeling more connected to who she wanted to be, empowered to make her own choices, and inspired to lead with authenticity; a testament to the importance of investing in your health, growth, and self-belief.

🔗 Read here: https://bit.ly/3UWPziv

12/08/2025

This International Youth Day, we celebrate the amazing young people we’ve supported through the Uto Bulabula - Healthy Hearts initiative and the New Zealand Medical Treatment Scheme. Whether overcoming serious health challenges or undergoing paediatric cardiac surgery, we commend their courage and strength ❤️

Address

Auckland

Telephone

+6492505761

Website

http://pmagroup.org.nz/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Pasifika Medical Association Group posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.