Pacific Health in New Zealand Our Stories
Date of Publication: February 2003
Ministry of Health
Manatu Hauora
PO Box 5013,
Wellington,
New Zealand
ISBN 0-478-25573-X (Book)
ISBN 0-478-25576-4 (Internet)
HP 3587
Document availability
You can read this publication in full text HTML below.
Contents
Introduction
A new millennium, a new era for Pacific Health
Milestones
Beginnings
By Pacific for Pacific
Reflections
Looking to the future
 Acknowlegements I have many people to thank in assisting me and the Ministry of Health compile this publication.
To all of you whose voices, faces and stories are in the publication, my deepest thanks.
A special acknowledgement to the women of P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A. who have played such a significant role in the development of this sector.
I hope I have done your stories justice.
To Debbie Sorrensen, my thanks for proofreading all the drafts and for your invaluable advice.
Vinaka vaka levu.
Audrey Aumua, Chief Advisor, Pacific Health, Ministry of Health
Introduction
Talofa lava; Malo e lelei; Kia orana; Ni sa bula vinaka; Taloha ni; Fakaalofa lahiatu; Greetings!
I am proud to introduce this important publication celebrating Pacific health in New Zealand.
Many individuals and communities have worked tirelessly to get us to a stage where Pacific peoples are being taken seriously and making a real difference. No longer are we hidden within the mainstream; Pacific peoples are determining their own destinies and seeking recognition of their culture and themselves. We make a significant contribution to the arts and cultural arena, to education, to politics, to sports, to the nation’s justice system and, indeed, to all of society. This publication celebrates our contribution to the health sector.
There are more Pacific peoples entering health professions and the health and disability sector than ever before. But more than this Pacific peoples are adapting and refining their knowledge so it benefits the Pacific community. This is being recognised with the advent of organisations such as Pasifika Medical Association and the Pacific Sector Reference Group, and with tertiary-level health studies and research being carried out through numerous institutions.
Thanks to the many new – and not so new – Pacific health providers being set up across the country, Pacific peoples now have a choice. Pacific peoples can choose to consult with a doctor, nurse or community worker who can speak their own language. They can choose to receive a home visit from a community worker. They can talk to a health professional about health and other issues within the boundaries of their cultural beliefs. And these choices are making a tangible difference.
Pacific peoples can choose the best service that meets their needs.
While so much material focuses on the statistics showing that Pacific peoples fare poorly compared to mainstream New Zealanders, we also need to acknowledge just how much has happened over past decades. We cannot ignore the fact that obesity, diabetes, drug and alcohol abuse and mental health are particular issues for our Pacific populations. Instead of focusing on the negative side we also need to celebrate how far we have come in addressing and understanding these issues.
We acknowledge the significant contribution of those who have gone before us and provided a firm foundation for us to build on.
This publication is commemorative in nature and it is dedicated to all those who came before us – in particular our early health ‘pioneers’. This document doesn’t capture the entire development of Pacific health in New Zealand, but it does provide us with a sense of the huge amount of work and dedication by so many people over so many years. It also adds a new perspective to another recently published and extremely significant document – the first ever Cabinet-approved Pacific Health and Disability Action Plan, which was released last year.
We have come a long way, and we have a long way to go – but I hope that this publication will allow you to take a moment to reflect on and celebrate the milestones of the journey so far, and to consider where we can go from here.
Audrey Aumua
Chief Advisor
Pacific Health, Ministry of Health
A new millennium, a new era for Pacific Health
‘We are at this stage now because communities understand that we need to be real participants in all aspects of society which affect our lives.’ – Audrey Aumua, Chief Advisor, Pacific Health, Ministry of Health
In September 2000, the Ministry of Health established the Pacific Health branch – a team of analysts dedicated to improving the health of Pacific peoples in New Zealand.
The team’s focus is to develop and implement strategic health policy for Pacific peoples. Its goal is to provide an ‘umbrella’ view of the work being carried out by many Pacific health providers and other organisations throughout New Zealand, as well as provide a sense of direction for the country as to where services need to be targeted in future.
Historically, Pacific peoples in New Zealand have not fared as well health-wise as their non-Pacific counterparts. Socioeconomic factors such as lower incomes, poorer housing conditions and lower educational achievements also contribute to the relatively poor health of Pacific peoples.
Over past decades thousands of individuals and groups within the Pacific communities in New Zealand have carried out vast amounts of work, mostly voluntary, to improve the health and wellbeing of Pacific peoples. The establishment of the Pacific Health branch is a significant milestone in the history of Pacific health in New Zealand, but its existence is in large part thanks to the work of many who have come before.
As Ministry of Health Pacific Branch manager Tupu Araiti says: ‘I strongly believe that without the commitment and endeavours of past and present individuals and groups to Pacific peoples’ health and wellbeing, the concept of a Pacific Health branch that develops and oversees Pacific health policy would not now be a reality.’
The establishment of the branch provides a focus for Pacific health policy development, and its key role is to develop and implement the Pacific Health and Disability Action Plan, as well as:
- develop strategic health policy for Pacific peoples in New Zealand
- provide oversight, advice and support programmes within the Ministry of Health on Pacific health, such as Pacific provider development and the Pacific workforce
- develop strategic relationships with government agencies, in particular the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, District Health Boards and Pacific health providers, to bring about consistent policy approaches on issues affecting Pacific communities.
Bringing it all together – the Pacific Health and Disability Action Plan
The Pacific Health and Disability Action Plan – the first official strategy aimed specifically at improving the health of Pacific peoples in New Zealand – was launched in 2002.
The vision of the plan is to see ‘Healthy Pacific peoples achieving their full potential throughout their lives’.
The plan aims to improve the health of Pacific peoples in New Zealand, as well as to reduce inequalities and offer higher quality care, by providing a comprehensive approach to coordinating holistic and integrated programmes within health and disability services.
‘An environment that supports healthy lifestyles and provides quality
primary health care and support services for Pacific peoples needs to
be fostered and sustained.’ – Hon Annette King, Minister of Health
Working with the Pacific community, the plan’s priorities are to:
- improve health of Pacific peoples in areas like coronary heart disease, diabetes, injuries, cancers, infectious and respiratory diseases
- provide earlier access to health services to prevent unnecessary hospitalisations and reduce deaths
- improve access to culturally effective health promotion programmes and preventive interventions, such as antenatal services, screening programmes and immunisation
- strengthen the Pacific health and disability workforce to better meet the needs and priorities of Pacific peoples
- develop ‘by Pacific for Pacific services’ to meet an increasing demand for more Pacific-led health services
- empower Pacific communities by engaging and involving them in all aspects of health and disability service design, planning, delivery and evaluation, by better sharing of good health information to Pacific communities and by supporting models of Pacific community development
- strengthen the information and knowledge base to better understand what approaches and interventions work best for Pacific peoples.
‘This is an exciting new era for Pacific health. We have accepted that
mainstream services don’t always work well for Pacific peoples, and
now there’s a new vigour in developing policies which will tangibly
help Pacific peoples.’ – Audrey Aumua, Chief Advisor Pacific Health.
Milestones
| 1975 |
- P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A. is established for Pacific women. Supporting Pacific women to plan and develop themselves, their families and their communities
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| 1978 |
- Dr Leopino Foliaki and Dr Papalii Semisi Maiai set up Pacific Health Welfare
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| 1980 |
- Metua Faasisila is appointed as the first cervical screening manager
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| 1983 |
- Maori and Pacific Admissions Scheme (MAPAS) established
- Richard Prebble is appointed New Zealand's first Minister of Pacific Island Affairs
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| 1984 |
- Pacific Affairs Unit is established within the Department of Internal Affairs
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| 1985 |
- The Minister of Pacific Island Affairsf Advisory Council is set up
- The first translation service for Pacific people is established at Middlemore Hospital in Auckland
- Christina Tapu is appointed Pacific liaison worker at Middlemore
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| 1986 |
- Gwenivere Newport appointed Pacific community worker, Canterbury Hospital Board
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| 1988 |
- Doreen Arapai is appointed to Cancer Inquiry Audit
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| 1989 |
- Auckland-based Pasifika Healthcare is established
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| 1990 |
- Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs becomes a stand-alone Crown agency. Apii Rongo-Raea becomes the first Chief Executive
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| 1992 |
- Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs holds Pacific Health Planning workshop
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| 1993 |
- Northern Regional Health Authority appoints Debbie Sorensen Manager Pacific Island HealthServices. Pacific Health receives first targeted funding of $2.6 million
- Pacific Island People . A demographic profile of Pacific Island People living in the North Health Region is published by North Health
- Northern Regional Health Authority holds first Pasifica Fono
- Rosaline Stanley-Finlay is appointed Pacific Advisor, Ministry of Health
|
| 1994 |
- Northern Region Pacific Health Strategic Plan launched
- Public Health Commission launches The Health of Pacific Islands People in New Zealand, based on a thesis by Dr Colin Tukuitonga
- Healthstar Pacific established
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| 1995 |
- Taskforce set up to develop Pacific Mental Health Strategy (led by Fuimaono Karl Pulotu-Endemann and Louisa Crawley)
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| 1996 |
- Michelle Vanderlain-Smith appointed as first Senior Advisor, Pacific Health, Ministry of Health
- National Pacific Child Health Strategy launched (Ministry of Health)
- Establishment of Division of Maori and Pacific Health University of Auckland
- Pasifika Medical Association is established
|
| 1997 |
- Making a Pacific Difference: Strategic initiatives for the health of Pacific people is launched.Ministry of Health
- Lita Foliaki is appointed Pacific Manager, Funding, Northern Regional Health Authority
- Pacific Health Research Centres are established at the University of Auckland and Whitireia Polytechnic in Porirua
- Ministry of Health appoints Debbie Sorensen as the first Chief Advisor, Pacific Health
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| 1998 |
- Pacific Provider Development Fund is established (Ministry of Health)
- Edward Tanoi is appointed to the ALAC Board
- Dr Teariki Maoate is appointed to Health Research Committee and the Royal College of Surgeons Pacific Committee
- Dr Colin Tukuitonga is the first appointed Pacific Director of South Auckland Health
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| 1999 |
- Pacific Trust Canterbury established
- South Seas Healthcare established
- Ministry of Health appoints Audrey Aumua as Chief Advisor, Pacific Health
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| 2000 |
- Pacific Health Sector Reference Group established (Ministry of Health)
- The Ministry of Health sets up the first Pacific Policy Branch
- Debbie Sorensen appointed as General Manager Pacific Health for Counties Manukau District Health Board
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| 2001 |
- Aseta Redican appointed as General Manager Pacific Health for Auckland District Health Board
- District Health Boards appoint first Pacific Directors: Metua Faasisila Dr Debbie Ryan Fafamatuainu Tino Pereira Dr Api Talemaitoga Everdina Fuli Fuimaono Karl Polutu-Endemann Moera Douthett Dr Juliet Walker Laupepe Peta Karalus
- Ministry of Health appoints first Pacific person, Dr Colin Tukuitonga, as Director of Public Health
- Pacific Health Leadership Programme launched by Ministry of Health
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| 2002 |
- First cabinet-approved Pacific Health and Disability Action Plan launched by Ministry of Health
- Ta Pasefika launched as one of the first Pacific primary health organisations (PHO)
- First seven DHBs with Pacific action plan responsibilities:
- Canterbury DHB
- Waitamata DHB
- Auckland DHB Waikato DHB
- Capital Coast DHB
- Hutt Valley DHB
- Counties Manukau DHB
|
Beginnings
‘It is impossible to look at the development of health services to Pacific peoples without considering the critical role played by the community itself for many decades. In fact, the strength of Pacific communities in New Zealand has been the cornerstone of much of the work today’ – Audrey Aumua
The World Health Organization defines health as ‘a complete physical,
mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of illness or infirmity’.
The Ministry of Health’s 2001 National Alcohol and Drug Services Funding Strategy applies this to the New Zealand context, saying that ‘traditional interpretations of health among some ethnic groups have broader meanings than just physical wellbeing’ which in the case of Pacific peoples includes spiritual wellbeing as well as family and culture.
Early days
Increasing numbers of Pacific peoples came to New Zealand throughout the 1950s and 1960s, leaving their homelands to settle and work in the growing industrial sector in the cities of New Zealand.
Pacific peoples living in New Zealand today are themselves a diverse group. For official purposes, the New Zealand Government includes those from Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands, Tokelau, Niue, Fiji and Tuvalu within the term ‘Pacific’. But the ‘broader’ Pacific community in New Zealand is also made up of people from Melanesian countries such as Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, as well as people from Kiribati and other Micronesian nations.
As the document The Health of Pacific Islands People in New Zealand states, ‘contributing to the hetereogeneity of the Pacific Islands population is the fact that it is made up of people born in the Pacific Islands as well as people born in New Zealand’. The Pacific population includes people of diverse multiple ethnicity, with mixed Pacific and other ancestries.
In 1999, about 227,000 (Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs) people living in New Zealand were of Pacific descent, compared with only 104,000 in 1981. This is about 6 percent of the population, and compares with only 0.1 percent in 1945.
Many of today’s provider groups for Pacific peoples can be traced back to the early 1950s. During this time, there was a strong sense of community among Pacific peoples, with churches providing the gathering points not just for spiritual support, but also for social, welfare, cultural and economic support.
Pacific women have played a significant role within their own communities, creating strong networks and support structures. Women have also worked hard to keep Pacific traditions alive by meeting through church fellowships for weaving and craft activities.
The strong contribution of women to Pacific wellbeing within New Zealand can be seen in P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A., an organisation established in 1975 by Pacific women to link and acknowledge the positive difference that Pacific women make to New Zealand.
‘Pacific peoples have also volunteered many hours of their time in hospitals, welfare organisations and other social groups to improve conditions for their communities.’
The Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs’ 1999 Contribution Report states that the 1980s was a ‘watershed’ decade for Pacific peoples from a political perspective, with Pacific peoples entering parliament and Pacific groups being consulted by government organisations when making policies.
And sport, too, has been integral to Pacific peoples’ lives, with Pacific people excelling at the highest levels. In the 1990s, two of the captains of New Zealand’s Silver Ferns were Pacific, and in athletics Beatrice Faumuina became a world and Commonwealth champion discus thrower. Many of the best-known rugby and rugby league players are Pacific – for example, Jonah Lomu and Michael Jones.
Pacific peoples have also played a big role in arts and culture, and the recent resurgence in popularity of ‘things Pacific’ has reflected this, with many young Pacific peoples embracing their culture and using their creativity to promote it. Festivals such as Pasifika, held in Auckland every two years, attract thousands of people and have been a true showcase of the Pacific way.
Health and education issues became even bigger during the 1980s and 1990s with the establishment of provider groups focusing on preschool Pacific language education, health, the prevention of violence and sexual abuse, crafts and the social needs of youth and older people.
Slowly but surely, Pacific peoples have forged their own identity in New Zealand.
Next:
By Pacific for Pacific
Reflections
Looking to the future
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