Dr Joshua Agnew, a recent addition to the Pasifika Medical Association Membership (PMAM) Board, is a dedicated paediatrician and advocate for Pacific healthcare. With a career rooted in the child health sector and a connection to his Cook Islands heritage, Dr Agnew’s appointment to the PMAM Board comes as a natural extension of his commitment to improving health outcomes for Pacific communities.

Catherine Tu’akalau, a proud Tongan and Samoan, has recently been appointed to the Pasifika Medical Association Membership Board. With a strong background in nursing, she opened up about the inspiration behind stepping into this important role.

The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Group is proud to announce that our Chief Executive, Debbie Sorensen, has been acknowledged in the prestigious New Year’s Honours List. A proud mother, grandmother, wife, and daughter of Tonga, Debbie has been appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for her services to Pacific health.

The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Medical Assistance Team (PACMAT) has been deployed to Vanuatu in response to the devastating 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck Port Vila on 17 December 2024. Supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), the mission will see the team provide mental health and psychosocial support to local communities affected by the natural disaster, led by the Vanuatu Ministry of Health.

The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Group was proud to support the highly anticipated launch of the Sustainability and Resilience in Pacific Island Health Systems report last week, hosted by Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa (the Centre for Pacific and Global Health, Waipapa Taumata Rau | the University of Auckland) in partnership with the Centre for Asia Pacific Resilience & Innovation (CAPRI).

Strengthening Country Capacity is a key objective of the New Zealand Medical Treatment Scheme (NZMTS), carried out by building and supporting healthcare workforce capacities through training, system development and robust protocols.

Solomon Islands Language Week is a timely and important occasion to celebrate the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of the Solomon Islands, and to raise awareness about the challenges of preserving native languages in an ever-changing world. Dr Maryanne One’asi Harihiru Koraa’i, a paediatrician with a special interest in paediatric cardiology, is one such advocate for preserving her heritage.

The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) hosted its Voyager’s Dinner as part of the PMA Conference, for an evening of connection and celebration. The event also highlighted the contributions of individuals who have tirelessly served Pacific communities, with recognition in the presentation of PMA’s Service Awards, Life Member Awards, and the inaugural Special Recognition Award.

At the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Conference, the Primary Care is the Future panel explored the role of primary care in improving health outcomes for Pacific communities. The panel focused on patient-centered care, workforce development, and the importance of early intervention.

The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Conference, themed Vunilagi ni bula sautu: Living Our Best Lives, brought attention to Pacific elders during the Qase (Matua) Elderly panel. The panel explored the challenges of aging within Pacific communities and emphasised holistic approaches to health.

Delegates have been welcomed into the garden city, Christchurch, for the annual Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Conference; the Moraia Fijian Methodist Church Youth Group opened the morning with a traditional ceremony, setting the tone for the conference theme of 'Vunilagi ni bula sautu: Living Our Best Lives'. As the largest assembly of Pacific health professionals, several delegates have travelled far and wide from across the Pacific region, with the PMA Conference promising to be an opportunity to exchange knowledge, network, and share in the collective purpose of improving health outcomes for Pacific communities.

This year’s Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Conference centers on the theme Vunilagi ni bula sautu: Living Our Best Lives, addressing all stages of life. A key feature of the conference is panel sessions, including the Gone Lalai (Child Health) panel chaired by Dr. Joshua Agnew, featuring esteemed paediatricians from across the Pacific.