News
Looking through a Pacific lens
What we can do as a group/community to better support our whanau in health and economic situations such as the Covid-19 pandemic will be discussed at a webinar next week on Tuesday (June 30) from 11am – 12.30pm. ‘Appropriate Covid-19 Response with a Pacific lens moving to the future’ is the last of HPF’s special series of webinars aimed at advising and guiding organisations and communities through the Covid-19 crisis The speakers are Dr Seini Taufa, the Research and Evaluation Lead for Moana Research and Dr Colin Tukuitonga, the Associate Dean Pacific, at the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. (Pictured) As part of her work with Moana research Dr Taufa will provide a quick response review of some of the services carried out for and by Pacific groups/providers. Dr Tukuitonga who is the former Director-General of The Secretariat of the Pacific Community, has been a voice for the Pacific on many issues and will provide some thoughts on where we should focus and invest moving to the future. He will look at what equity of opportunities are there for the Pacific and how well they may be supported by the new Health and Disability Review plan as well as the new Pacific Health and Wellbeing Action plan 2020 – 2025, Ola Manuia. HPF’s Senior Health Promotion Strategist specialising in Pacific Health Promotion, Dr Viliami Puloka will chair and moderate the one-hour webinar, which will be followed by Q & A and general discussion. Click here to register.
About the speakers:
Dr Seini Taufa is the Research and Evaluation Lead for Moana Research, a consultancy group of passionate researchers and clinicians committed to making the early years the best start in life for all children. Dr Taufa was previously based at the University of Auckland where she taught for more than 10 years within the departments of Social and Community Health and Pacific Health, School of Population Health. Dr Taufa serves in various advisory groups which include The Village Collective and the Pacific Police Advisory Group.
Dr Colin Tukuitonga is the former Director-General of The Secretariat of the Pacific Community, New Caledonia. In March he took up the inaugural position of Associate Dean Pacific, at the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. His previous roles have included CEO of the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs in New Zealand, Director of Public Health at Ministry of Health in New Zealand, and Head of Surveillance and Prevention of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases at the World Health Organisation in Switzerland.
Dr Viliami Puloka is HPF’s Senior Health Promotion Strategist specialising in Pacific Health Promotion. A Public health physician with a special interest in diabetes and obesity, Dr Puloka brings with him a wealth of Pacific experience; combining his clinical skills and his public health knowledge. He has gained a broad social and cultural appreciation from working with the diverse and unique islands of the Pacific. He has a strong multi-sectoral experience and programmatic approach in capacity building, project management and community development.
