A new study from the University of Auckland highlights the urgent need for Pacific-led, culturally aligned health practices to address hearing loss among Pacific children—a condition disproportionately affecting Māori and Pacific communities in Aotearoa.

Authored by Tongan researcher Linda Palavi, alongside Dr. Elizabeth Holt and Professor Vili Nosa, the review found that parental involvement is critical to improving outcomes for children with hearing impairments. However, current health services often fall short of meeting the cultural and familial needs of Pacific communities, creating significant barriers to care.

“Pacific parents are the first point of contact for their children’s health,” Palavi explains. “Shifting to family-centred approaches that are tailored to Pacific families will make a real difference.”

The research reveals how poverty, stigma, and cultural beliefs intersect with caregiving practices in Pacific households. Traditional views, including spiritual explanations for hearing loss, still exist but are evolving as families in New Zealand navigate the medical system.

Palavi says, “There’s still a stigma attached to hearing loss, which can stop families from seeking help.…more

All FAST Party MPs voted against the HRPP motion of a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, who has now successfully survived a motion of no confidence in the Samoan Parliament.

34 parliamentary members voted against the motion of no confidence, and 15 voted in support of the motion, allowing her to retain her position. 

ce motion was put forward by the Opposition, prompted by a split in the ruling FAST Party, which saw Fiame leading a minority government.

In a shock move on Tuesday March 25th, FAST members voted alongside Fiame's faction to register a resounding defeat against opposition leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi's motion, which was granted a hearing in parliament by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.…more

January 9, 2025

Severe weather conditions continue to disrupt daily life in Samoa and Fiji as heavy rainfall leads to flooding, landslides, and road closures. Authorities in both countries are urging residents to prioritize safety and remain vigilant.

Samoa: Persistent Rain and Flood Risks

In Samoa, an active convergence zone has brought significant rainfall, gusty winds, and rough seas, with wave heights exceeding 3 meters in some areas. The Samoa Meteorological Service has warned that these conditions are likely to persist through Saturday.

Key Risks:

• Flooding in low-lying areas and along major rivers.
• Landslides in mountainous and hilly regions.
• Hazardous road conditions, including poor visibility and slippery surfaces.
• Rising waterways and pooling along roadsides.

Residents are urged to avoid unnecessary travel, stay indoors if possible, and remain alert to weather updates. The next severe weather update will be issued at 5:00 p.m. today.…more

Over 1,000 Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers in Hawke’s Bay have been immunised against measles to protect themselves and their families in the Pacific Islands.

Since August 2024, 1,205 workers from countries including Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu have received the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Nationwide, approximately 2,400 RSE workers have been vaccinated under this initiative, which runs until April 2025.

These vaccinations are crucial for workers, who play a vital role in New Zealand’s horticulture and viticulture sectors while coming from regions with vulnerable healthcare systems.

Past outbreaks, such as the 2019 measles epidemic in Samoa, demonstrate the stakes. That tragedy claimed 83 lives, mostly children, including 14-month-old Peter, the son of Lanuola Von Heiderbrandt. “It’s just not the same without him here,” she shared back in 2019. “He died on White Sunday. He was just gone. He was such a happy baby and always had a smile on his face.”

Devastated, Lanuola dismissed anti-vaccination rhetoric, saying, “Rubbish! Get your vaccinations done.…more