Pasifika Allied Health Aotearoa New Zealand (PAHANZ)

PAHAnz was formed as a partnership between Le Va and DHBs to provide a platform for collaborACTION, focusing on workforce leadership, and growing the size and skills of Pasifika allied health professionals. It is also a platform to network and share best and promising practice for Pasifika people in the Allied Health fields.

PAHAnz promotes working in partnership across sectors and cultures, providing value through a Pasifika lens … Effectively walking in many worlds.

After a two-year absence due to Covid, it was fantastic to host 60 Pasifika Allied Health professionals from across Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Tairawhiti and Wellington in Auckland this June for the second PAHAnz Fono.

Keynote speakers Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone, Director of Pacific Health, Ministry of Health and Dr Debbie Ryan, Principal of Pacific Perspectives gave an overview of the changes to the health system and a progress update on Health New Zealand. Gerardine also shared the Interim Pacific Health Plan and how it aims to tackle the equity gaps for Pasifika.

We also heard from Martin Chadwick, Chief Allied Health Professional Officer, Ministry of Health on the recognition of the value of Allied Health roles particularly in Primary Health care, and health promotion. Martin talked about the need for Allied Health to be part of the solution and to come together as a National Clinical network, to reorganise ourselves to meet the needs of Pasifika.

Participants worked in groups to contribute ideas to how we could improve the workforce pipeline, enhance Pasifika Leadership, lift the profile of Allied Health Professions, and engage with Health New Zealand.

Our final session of the days was a presentation by Emily Glennon and Fred Fata of a Peer Pasifika Talanoa pilot held across the Auckland DHBs in 2021. In this session we learnt the importance of a culturally safe space in which to navigate our roles as Pasifika Allied Health professionals.

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