The Pasifika Medical Association’s Medical Assistance Team (PACMAT) has officially been verified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Type 1 Mobile Emergency Medical Team, an international recognition that confirms the team’s ability to deliver quality, timely healthcare in emergencies across the Pacific and Aotearoa.

Noa’ia ‘e Mauri, ‘Otou asa le Rowena Sokimi, faiaksea gagaj atakoa. Meet Rowena Sokimi who is of Rotuman, Fijian, Samoan and German heritage.

We would like to inform you that the Pasifika Medical Association Conference, originally planned for September 15-17, 2025, will now be held at a later date. This adjustment allows us to ensure the event continues to meet the high standards expected by our community.

The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Membership Services launched the first of its Pasifika Health Leaders Webinar Series this year, with an inspiring and insightful session led by Pacific health pioneer and PMA founding member, Suitafa Dr Debbie Ryan.

Dr Fiona Perelini’s recent appointment to the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Membership Board represents a significant step in her journey to support and uplift Pacific health professionals while advancing health equity for Pacific communities. Her passion for giving back, coupled with her extensive experience as a paediatric intensive care specialist, uniquely positions her to contribute to this role.

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.