New centre to elevate Pacific and global health research

A centre with a mission to positively impact health in the Pacific and globally through high-quality research will officially launch this April.

Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa, Centre for Pacific and Global Health has welcomed operations manager Nalei Taufa. Meanwhile, former director general of health, Professor Ashley Bloomfield has been appointed as the chair of the advisory board.

Both are very welcome additions, says public health academic, policy expert and advocate for reducing health inequalities, Sir Collin Tukuitonga KNZM.

“The appointments of Nalei and Professor Bloomfield are key to the growth and progress we are making. The centre is very much alive and moving forward.”

Nalei says she's looking forward to seeing the community engagement and regional coordination and partnerships that will emerge from the Centre, both in Aotearoa and across the Pacific region.

“We are also looking forward to the high-quality research that will emerge, steeped in Pacific values, and with a focus on data sovereignty, partnerships, and local ownership."

Having just transitioned from working as project manager for the Pacific Mental Health Surveys Project, which is also connected to the Centre, Nalei says she considers it a blessing to see first-hand that the Centre is also operating with the ethos that 'nothing is about us, without us'. 

"It's all about upholding the rights of Pacific peoples and fulfilling our responsibilities to that."

Nalei is determined to see Centre elevate Pacific research and capacity within the region.

“We must insist on research that's committed to building the capacity of the local workforce and facilitating projects in the region that are inclusive and participatory.

"We are looking forward to sharing and utilising research that respects the expertise and context of the cultures and communities we are essentially serving," she says.

The name Poutoko Ora a Kiwa means health and vitality in leadership. It also connects to Moana nui ā Kiwa, the Pacific Ocean.

Conceptually there is a legacy with whakawhanungatanga and shared whakapapa with Ngā moutere o Moana nui ā Kiwa (the islands of the Pacific).