Coco Talanoa — Health & Well Being / Page 1

For many Kiwi kids, the dream of wearing black, whether as an All Black on Eden Park or a Silver Fern on the netball court, is the pinnacle of sporting success. I dreamed that dream. 

After my grandfather’s passing in 2017, sport became my anchor, helping me navigate the storm of grief. I joined the Marist Club in Samoa, playing social first as a netball player before switching to Touch Rugby. My final tournament was in Samoa, in 2019, when our Open Women’s team secured silver medals, and our Open Mixed team won the Vailima Marist Touch Rugby Championship. 

It was my proudest sporting moment. Not because of the trophy we collected that day, but rather standing side by side with my teammates, singing the Samoan national anthem before the final. Hearing the crowd echo back "Samoa Tula’i" (the Samoa National Anthem) was an emotional moment, forever etched in my memory.…more

A new study published in the New Zealand Medical Journal has found that Pacific children living in Aotearoa experience some of the highest rates of serious bone and joint infections (BJI) globally, and that these infections tend to be more severe and complex than those seen in other ethnic groups.

Researchers looked at 563 children across Auckland who were hospitalised for acute bone and joint infections between 2018 and 2023. Of these, 27% were Pacific children.

The study revealed that:

• Pacific children are twice as likely to develop bone and joint infections compared to NZ European children, with rates reaching 38 cases per 100,000 children each year.

• Two-thirds (66%) of Pacific children experienced complex or severe illness, often requiring multiple surgeries or intensive care.

• Pacific children were more likely to have multifocal sepsis (30% vs 10%), bacteraemia (60% vs 34%), and longer hospital stays (average 14 days vs 9).

• Eczema was found in one-third of Pacific children with BJI, more than any other ethnic group, and was linked to severe infection.…more

Lilo Dr Oka Sanerivi, physiotherapist, academic, and PMA member, is the first Pacific PhD in Physiotherapy! 💥

For Men’s Health Week, he shares some light-hearted but practical insights, plus a bit of his own journey as a Pacific male in health. He is also a proud member of the Centre for Men’s Health at the University of Otago.

By Lilo Dr Oka Sanerivi Via Pacific Medical Association

In February, my Dad passed away after serving as a faifeau of a small Samoan church community in Petone, Wellington, for almost 30 years and living for almost two decades with disabilities related to Stroke.

As a son and now a father of four, Dad’s passing and the sobering reality of the declining number of male elders in my family and community, have made this year’s Men’s Health Week a particularly important one. As a physiotherapist and emerging academic, I share some quick encouragements for Pacific men and those who support them in our Pacific communities. These tips have been adapted from winter tips from my colleagues at the Mātai Medical Research Institute.…more

In recent years, the mental health of Pasifika men has become an increasingly important topic, with growing recognition of the unique cultural factors that shape their experiences.

We spoke to Auckland University of Technology Senior Lecturer Lefaoali’i Dr. Dion Enari, whose work sheds light on the intricate relationship between Pasifika men’s mental health and cultural heritage.

"Those more entrenched in their Pacific cultures are more likely to have more positive well-being experiences."

Lefaoali’i's research, which examines Pasifika communities in New Zealand and Australia, reveals that men who are more deeply connected to their cultural roots tend to have more positive mental health outcomes.

Understanding and embracing their cultural identity provides these men with a sense of belonging and purpose, which can prove crucial for navigating life's challenges in mainstream society.…more

Jordan Lee Ikitule created a group for Fathers of Autistic Children in the hopes of creating more safe spaces for children with ASD and their families. 

In a bid to create safer spaces and events for Autistic children and their families, Jordan has held multiple events to do just that. Hosting events not only for ASD children to be unapologetically themselves, but also for Fathers of ASD children to come together and share in their experiences.

The group continue to hold events, and have plans to host information evenings for the wider families of Autistic Children to come and learn more about their nieces/nephews/grandchildren etc. Since it's conception ASD Dads events have consistently sold out within the first day of posting - indicating the massive need for these accessible events.

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By Destiny Momoiseā
Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air

Pasifika Medical Association Chief Executive, Debbie Sorensen, wife to Peter Cann, a daughter, loving mother and grandmother, opens up about her personal breast cancer journey for the first time.

With unwavering strength and resilience, Mrs Sorensen aims to raise awareness about the importance of early breast cancer screenings and to shed light on the significance of self-care for women in Pacific communities.

Debbie Sorensen is the chief executive of the Pasifika Medical Association, the largest Pacific non-governmental organisation in New Zealand, and for 16 years she has helmed the entity with a strong and confident style of leadership.

You can read more about her story here

Father, artist and leader of a South Auckland based non-profit community fitness program, David Toailoa shares what helped him through tough times following the tragic loss of his son and during the Covid-19 lockdowns.

Mana Pasifika extends a huge thank you to David and his wife Ema for sharing their story with us. Fa’afetai tele lava.

Please be aware that this video addresses infant loss, we are aware that this may be a difficult topic for some viewers.

By Loveni Enari 

What's better for Pacific Islanders’ mental health than a laugh with your mates about the hidings you got as kids?

You know the stories … with the jandal, the stick, at school, in front of mates, the whole church; the time Mum was throwing stones at me while I was running away, she was telling my cousins to catch me and they had to, but they were really sad about it; the time Dad went overboard with the hockey stick … oops, maybe that’s not so funny, but there are many more, aren’t there? Too many, maybe?

And then the laugh and ‘Ehh, what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger, no?’ Or the tough sounding, ‘It was nothing more than your average PI kid got, no more.’ Or, ‘It’s good trauma. Toughens you up.…more

In a world that often seems too digitally connected but emotionally disconnected, a group of Pasifika women have introduced a refreshing way to bridge the gap and foster genuine human connections.

Lalaga, a card game developed by Torisse Laulu and her team (including Gabby Manu, Lauren Wepa, and Atelaite Mapa), promises to revive and elevate the art of conversation with its blend of warmth, humour, and meaningful discourse.

Lalaga was launched to much fanfare on Tuesday 5th, September but lalaga, a term that means 'to weave,' is more than just a game; it's an opportunity to reconnect with friends, family, or even potential new connections in a heartfelt way. With five levels of questions and prompts, Lalaga offers players the flexibility to customise their conversations and delve into varying depths of topics.

Torisse Laulu, the creator of Lalaga, drew inspiration from the rich Pasifika culture of talanoa, emphasising honest and open discourse. She believes that in today's world, where online interactions dominate, there's a genuine need to nurture relational spaces for connection.…more