Te Poutoko Ora A Kiwa

🌺 Registrations are open for the free Pacific Diabetes Management Course 2026!

Join us for eight weekly online sessions covering key aspects of diabetes management, with a focus on type 2 diabetes.

📅 Tuesdays from 15 September 2026
🕕 6.00pm NZT
💻 Online via Zoom
⏱️ Approximately 90 minutes
🎥 Live and recorded sessions
📜 Optional certificate of completion

Open to healthcare professionals and colleagues across the Pacific region and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Scan the QR code on the flyer or register at:
www.aotearoadiabetescollective.org.nz/pacific-diabetes-management-course/

Registration support: [email protected]
Other enquiries: [email protected]

Aotearoa

🌺 Join the free Pacific Diabetes Management Course 2026!

Healthcare professionals and colleagues across the Pacific region and Aotearoa New Zealand are warmly invited to join this eight-week online course focused on diabetes management, particularly type 2 diabetes.

📅 Starts Tuesday 15 September 2026
🕕 Every Tuesday at 6.00pm NZT
💻 Delivered online via Zoom
⏱️ Approximately 90 minutes each week
🎥 All sessions will be recorded and available to watch later

Each session includes a 45–60-minute lecture and approximately 30 minutes of group discussion, along with case studies, live Q&A opportunities, resources and an optional certificate of completion.

Register here:
https://www.aotearoadiabetescollective.org.nz/pacific-diabetes-management-course/

Registration support: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
Other enquiries: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

Please share with anyone in your networks who may be interested! 🌺

In a recent interview with ABC Radio Australia's Pacific Beat, our co-Director Professor Sir Collin discussed the urgent and growing burden of obesity across the Pacific, highlighting the need for stronger action to address the increasing prevalence of obesity among children and young people.

"Now we are seeing obesity in young people escalate very rapidly... Something needs to change."

The interview follows Sir Collin's recent appointment as President-Elect of the World Obesity Federation, where he will help shape the global response to one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time.

Obesity continues to plague Pacific Islands - ABC Pacific Niuean Professor Sir Collin Tukuitonga at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, has been appointed President-Elect of the World Obesity Federation.

🌏 We are incredibly proud to congratulate our Director, Professor Sir Collin Tukuitonga, on his appointment as President-Elect of the World Obesity Federation. 🎉👏🏽

This significant international leadership appointment recognises Sir Collin’s more than 40 years of service to public health across Aotearoa New Zealand, the Pacific and globally. 🌺

In this role, he will continue to champion equitable, evidence-based approaches to obesity prevention and care, while ensuring that Pacific voices and experiences help shape global decision-making. 💙

Mālō ‘aupito and congratulations, Sir Collin - an outstanding achievement! 🎊

🌏 We are incredibly proud to congratulate our Director, Professor Sir Collin Tukuitonga, on his appointment as President-Elect of the World Obesity Federation. 🎉👏🏽

This significant international leadership appointment recognises Sir Collin’s more than 40 years of service to public health across Aotearoa New Zealand, the Pacific and globally. 🌺

In this role, he will continue to champion equitable, evidence-based approaches to obesity prevention and care, while ensuring that Pacific voices and experiences help shape global decision-making. 💙

Mālō ‘aupito and congratulations, Sir Collin - an outstanding achievement! 🎊

🔗 Read more:

www.nzdoctor.co.nz

Kia orana! 🌺🌊🌟

Join us for the fourth webinar in collaboration with Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health Cook Islands.

We’re pleased to welcome Dylan Apera, a Cook Islands technology professional at Microsoft based in Singapore; Dr Will Reedy, clinician, digital health expert and CEO of MedTech Global; and Associate Professor Rosie Dobson, psychologist and AI Health Research Lead at the University of Auckland.

Together, our speakers will explore the challenges and opportunities AI presents for health in the Cook Islands.

Please note the time differences:
📅 Cook Islands Time: Tuesday 8 September, 3.00 pm
📅 New Zealand Time: Wednesday 9 September, 1.00 pm
💻 Online via Zoom
🎟️ FREE registration via link in comments

All registrants will receive the Zoom link two days before the webinar.

We look forward to having you join us! If you have any questions reach out to the team via email [email protected]

Meitaki ma’ata!

Fakaalofa lahi atu 👋

Abstract submissions are now open for the Niue Research & Knowledge Fono 2026, taking place in Niue on 20–21 October 🇳🇺

We welcome contributions from all! Submit your abstract here (or link in our bio):
https://auckland.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_esukUBm89kOiZym

A Word version is also available - email us at [email protected] for more information.

Kia monuina 🌺

Fakaalofa lahi atu 👋

Abstract submissions are now open for the Niue Research & Knowledge Fono 2026, taking place in Niue on 20–21 October 🇳🇺

We welcome contributions from all! Submit your abstract here:
https://auckland.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_esukUBm89kOiZym

A Word version is also available - email us at [email protected] for more information.

Kia monuina 🌺

Registrations are still open for the PMA Conference 2026!

Join us as we celebrate 30 years of service, innovation and leadership, while looking ahead to the future of Pacific health.

🎟️ Conference registrations are still available, but tickets to the Conference Dinner are limited. Secure your spot before they're gone!

We look forward to seeing you there 🙌🏾

🔗 Register here: https://shorturl.at/xbbUW

🌊 At our recent Research Symposium, some thought-provoking presentations were shared by our brilliant keynote speaker, Dr Ai Ling Tan and informative plenary speakers, Dr Robyn Whittaker and Dr Corina Grey. Each offered unique perspectives on the future of health across Aotearoa and the Pacific region.

🩺 Dr Ai Ling Tan challenged us to ask, “Why should geography determine survival?” Drawing upon her decades of experience working across the Pacific in oncology and gynaecology, she highlighted the importance and some successes of building locally led cancer services, investing in long-term mentorship and specialist training, and creating connected care pathways that ensure all women can access screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up close to their homes. She concluded that sustainable cancer care is built through people, partnerships, and pathways.

💻 Dr Robyn Whittaker provided informative remarks on the use of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare. She shared examples of how AI is already being used in healthcare to support risk prediction, diagnostic imaging, and clinical documentation, but emphasised that successful implementation requires strong governance, equity, trust, and local context. She counselled that it is an opportune time for Pacific nations to work together through regional approaches to AI governance, evaluation, and implementation, and that shared learnings can help countries introduce AI in ways that are safe, equitable, and respectful culturally.
“We need to work together to ensure these technologies are introduced safely, securely, ethically, and equitably for all.”

🌺 Dr Corina Grey focused on the future of the Pacific health workforce. Building on Dr Whittaker’s discussion on AI, she emphasised that technology cannot replace the human qualities that are central to healthcare: CARE – being Curious, Adaptable, Resilient, and Emotionally Attuned.
She highlighted the importance of pairing data with stories, noting that while data tells us what is happening, stories help us understand why it is happening and what needs to change. “Data is useful, but stories are what motivate us to take action.”
Dr Grey also reminded us that Pacific peoples are among the fastest-growing population groups in Aotearoa but remain underrepresented across many health professions. She stressed that a workforce that reflects the communities it serves creates more responsive and resilient health services, and that improving Pacific health outcomes will require cross-sector collaboration to address the wider determinants of health.

🌊 Together, these talks reinforced the message that the future of Pacific health will depend not only on innovation and technology but on investing in people, strengthening communities, and building systems that are equitable, culturally grounded, and designed for the realities of Pacific populations 🙏