For World Physiotherapy Day, Eti Televave reflects on his journey as a physiotherapist, facing unique challenges and celebrating triumphs in serving the Pacific and Māori community.

The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Group joins Aotearoa New Zealand in expressing their heartfelt condolences to the family of the Māori King, Kīngi Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII, who peacefully passed away at the age of 69 last week. Thousands have gathered at Tūrangawaewae Marae to pay their respects to the Kīngitanga, including guests from around the Pacific region, remembering him for his legacy of social justice and advocacy.

The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Group has partnered with the Australian Government to deliver a three-year programme, the Ngalu Fānifo Regional Project, in Tonga and Vanuatu, aiming to improve mental health and wellbeing by strengthening the capacity of health and community providers to provide mental health care.

Recently, the University of Auckland (UoA) hosted the Pacific Paediatric Palliative Care Education Programme workshop, bringing together a group of dedicated medical professionals from Fiji, Kiribati, Sāmoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu to explore paediatric palliative care and how it can be applied in their respective countries. The two-day workshop is the first component of the multi-phased paediatric palliative care programme, and was guided by specialist palliative care nurse, Dr. Gemma Aburn, fostering a space to talanoa about best practices in this field who spoke to its criticality.

Three esteemed regional dentists from the Oral Health Pacific Islands Alliance, have achieved a remarkable milestone by being inducted as Fellows of the International College of Dentists (ICD). Through the support of the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA), the three oral health specialists were able to attend and celebrate their ceremony, held at the Te Pae Convention Centre in Christchurch. 

At the request of the Tonga Government, the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Group deployed the PMA Medical Assistance Team (PACMAT) last Friday to support the annual Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) leaders meeting, starting today in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, until August 30th 2024. The meeting has seen a significant influx of Pacific leaders gathered in the country's capital to discuss regional issues, solutions and other key items on the agenda.

The courage, the whispers, the drama. The year 2024 marks the 45th year since Miss Heilala was established. To each household, the legacy of the Miss Heilala pageant sits on a spectrum of excitement and enthusiasm to toxicity and disappointment. Yet, every year the Tongan community both local as well as amongst the diaspora tune in to watch as the contestants vie for the title of Miss Heilala.

Malo e lelei, My name is Dr. Sela Finau and I am a proud daughter of the Pacific. I am currently in my second year of being a junior doctor at Middlemore Hospital in South Auckland. I hail from the villages of Tatakamotonga, Haveluloto, Niutoua and Lofanga from the Kingdom of Tonga.

The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Group is pleased to announce the successful deployment of a specialist colorectal team to the Kingdom of Tonga. This mission, facilitated by the PMA through the New Zealand Medical Treatment Scheme (NZMTS) which is funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, aims to enhance healthcare capabilities and surgical services at Vaiola Hospital, Nuku’alofa.

The Pasifika Medical Association (Group) is privileged to have been granted an exclusive interview with Her Royal Highness Princess Sālote Mafile'o Pilolevu Tuita to signify Uike Katoanga'i 'o e Lea Faka-Tonga – Tonga Language Week for 2024.

The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) is gearing up for its 2024 Conference in Christchurch this November. Themed "Living Our Best Lives”, the conference will bring together medical practitioners from across the Pacific to address pressing health issues and highlight the resilience of Pacific health providers.

Kia orana, my name is Cullen Haym Ryan. I am a dentist based at Waikato Hospital, working for Te Whatu Ora. I am of Cook Islands Māori and Irish descent.