Pacific nurses: Shaping our future wellbeing

On a sunny Friday in October, more than 70 Pacific nurses gathered in Maungakiekie, One Tree Hill, for the Pacific Nurses Section Symposium and AGM, supported by Le Va’s public health team.

Led this year by the Fiji Nurses Association NZ, the symposium was a chance to bring together Pacific nurses from across the motu, to connect, share experiences and hear from sector leaders.

The event has grown over the years to include Pacific nursing students, the bright faces of our future health workforce.

Mati Dr Elizabeth Mati & Ben Tameifuna

Mati Dr Elizabeth Mati, Chief Executive of Le Va, gave a keynote speech on ‘Leading with the Va’ – a heart-led and relational approach to leadership.

She said, “As we look to the future of Pacific nursing, the challenges are real – workforce pressures, burnout, inequity and system change.

“But we also have incredible strengths – deep faith, strong families, resilient cultures and the ability to connect across worlds.”

During the symposium, postgraduate students shared their Pacific nursing research insights under the guidance of Abel Smith, National Director of Nursing – Pacific for Te Whatu Ora and Master’s Programme Coordinator for Pacific Perspectives.

Abel Smith

The students delved into topics such as: iTaukei access to stroke services; the challenges of working in acute mental health services; the HPV vaccine in the iTaukei community; barriers for Tongan men accessing primary healthcare; and the experience of Pacific people in intensive care units in Aotearoa.

Ben Tameifuna, Le Va’s Cultural Lead and Senior Manager for Public Health and Disability, expressed how proud Le Va is to support Pacific nurses in Aotearoa, noting that nurses can play a powerful role in primary prevention, or preventing harm before it happens.

Learn more about Le Va’s work supporting the public health workforce in Aotearoa: Public health.