Page 24 - IB April 2023

Health Health

IMPROVING PACIFIC ISLANDERS

HEALTH IN NZ AND THE REGION

TE POUTOKO ORA A KIWA

By Rowena Singh engagement with tertiary institutions and other scholars, both
Pacific and indigenous scholars.”
The University of Auckland has opened the first-of-its-kind Ng Shiu says that Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa will take a
research centre dedicated to Pasifika health, the Te Poutoko transdisciplinary approach, looking at health in a holistic way.
Ora a Kiwa (Centre for Pacific and Global Health). “It is also acknowledging that different people come with
Centre Co-Director, Dr Roannie Ng Shiu is a Samoan senior different skill sets,” she adds. “So it’s how do we bring those
research fellow at the University of Auckland. She has 15 voices together to create solutions, be impactful and be
years’ experience in human geography, and Pacific health, innovative in order to improve the health and well-being of
education, and development. Pacific people not just in the region, but in Aotearoa.”
Ng Shiu says she’s very excited about the opening of Te Sir Collin Fonotau Tukuitonga KNZM is a second Co-Director
Poutoko Ora a Kiwa, while honouring the hard work of Pacific of the centre. The Niuean-born New Zealand doctor, public
pioneers that have gone before her. health academic, public policy expert and advocate for
“It’s about keeping their legacy going and we leave a legacy reducing health inequalities of Māori and Pasifika people, says
that our future generations can be proud of,” says Ng Shiu. the centre’s goals are two-fold.
“I see my role as providing strategic direction in terms of “One is to conduct relevant research on problems that

24 Islands Business, April 2023