Strength of Pasifika

Photo: Suli Tuitaupe is a Mobile Community Nurse for Tangata Atumotu Trust

Post-earthquake processes and strong, genuine relationships are serving the Pasifika community well during the COVID-19 response.

Pegasus Pacific Health Manager, Maria Pasene says connection with Pasifika people in key agencies meant they could mobilize very quickly when COVID-19 arrived.

“Our Pacific response to COVID-19 relied on established and genuine relationships with Pacific colleagues and contacts in Education, Ministry for Social Development, Housing and Police. We all worked with the Ministry for Pacific Peoples to get information out to our communities and gather feedback that would make this easier,” says Maria.

Community groups Tangata Atumotu Trust (TAT) and Etu Pasifika were also involved. Maria says the Pasifika community is independent when it comes to caring for its people. Established email lists, regular use of Zoom meetings and translated resources were put into play early on. Key messages for radio were produced in nine different languages and videos showing people what to do when visiting a Community Based Assessment Centre (CBAC) were produced in a number of languages.

“We’re used to looking after each other. Relationships have been grown over years and mean we are well positioned to make use of collective knowledge. Relationships are our strength.”

Maria Pasene

Pacific Health Manager