Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29 2009
Health workshops address unique challenges for BOP’s Pacific Island community
The first of two health promotional workshops was held yesterday focusing on health needs unique to the Pacific Island
community in the Bay of Plenty.
The one-day workshops – the next to be held this Saturday May 2 – are being coordinated and run jointly by the Pacific
Island Community Trust and the Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation as part of the recent launch of the
Pacific Advisory Group.
Western Bay of Plenty PHO chief executive Roger Taylor says the workshops aim to provide tools to equip and upskill
Pacific Island community leaders and are open to anyone working with Pacific people.
“Pacific people generally have poorer health outcomes than the average New Zealander and most of them wait until they
are very sick before seeking treatment,” he says.
“We have around 3700 Pacific people living in the Bay of Plenty, with some yet to enroll with a Primary Health
Organisation. Our health professionals need to understand their vulnerability to certain health issues as well as
primary health care barriers they face. Pacific Islanders need to be more effectively engaged in primary care."
Taylor says the PHO is working with the Pacific Island Community Trust to assist them in developing capability to
deliver services and care for Pacific people directly.
Pacific Island Community Trust chief executive Mike Tyrer says Ministry of Health representative John Natua, who is
portfolio manager of public health operations, and the Tongan Health Society addressed Bay of Plenty health
professionals and community leaders.
“The speakers are leaders in bringing primary health care to the forefront of the Pacific Island community in South
Auckland, which is known to have a high level of diabetic sufferers.
“They shared information about why Pacific people are particularly vulnerable to diabetes. They also gave an
understanding of immunisation issues including Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and the reasons why Pacific Island people
usually wait until they are very sick before seeking medical attention,” says Tyrer.
Local speakers commenting on the Bay of Plenty’s Pacific community health issues and statistics included Bay of Plenty
DHB’s Brian Pointon who is responsible for planning and funding of Pacific health services, Rosa Rakoia, chair of the
Pacific Island Community Trust, and Fifita McCready from the Langimalie Diabetes Clinic in Auckland.
Research results presented at the workshops show many of the Bay’s Pacific people do not access primary health care
services such as GPs, nurses, podiatrists or chiropractors.
Roger Taylor says the workshops are a step toward removing barriers to primary care for Pacific people by ensuring
health professionals grasp their unique culture.
“The workshops are designed to equip the Pacific Island communities with the tools to help them understand what health
services are available to them,” he says.
The next workshop is Saturday May 2 with plenty of spaces available. It will be held at the offices of Western Bay of
Plenty PHO, 11th Ave, from 9am till 4pm.
ENDS
Key facts about the Bay of Plenty Pacific Island community:
• 45 percent of Pacific people are aged under 15 reflecting the youthful profile of the community
• 1600 Pacific people are enrolled with the Western Bay of Plenty PHO
• 33 percent of Pacific people in the region were born in the Pacific and therefore are migrants