June marks Bowel Cancer Awareness Month across Aotearoa, highlighting the importance of early screening, especially amongst Pacific communities.

Tagaloa Mo’aga Samuelu Teevale is from Si’ufaga, Faga, Fa’asaleleaga in Savai’i. He believes the Samoan language and culture are deeply important because they connect people to their ancestors, families, and identity, while preserving the knowledge, values, and stories passed down through generations.

On Saturday November 22nd, Etu Pasifika Canterbury experienced a good turnout for its scheduled vaccination clinic. Although 62 appointments had been booked, the demand exceeded expectations, resulting in a total of 73 vaccinations administered throughout the day.

On November 1,  the Etu Pasifika Christchurch hosted a vaccination drive aimed at helping the community get up to date with their immunisations, particularly in light of the recent increase in measles cases.

In a community-driven effort to protect against diseases, Etu Pasifika organised a successful vaccination drive in Christchurch on June 7.

The warmth of community spirit was on display at Riccarton High School as our Etu Pasifika Canterbury team held its first community vaccination drive for the year on Saturday 3 May 2025. Families and individuals turned out in strong numbers, showing their commitment to protecting themselves and their loved ones ahead of the flu season.

Etu Pasifika Canterbury (EPC) was proud to be part of Canterbury’s 2025 Polyfest, a milestone event celebrating 25 years of cultural pride and connection in the region. With an incredible turnout of 25,000 attendees, including performers and supporters, the atmosphere was electric.

Etu Pasifika Canterbury (EPC) is excited to welcome one of two new health coaches for 2025, Satali Auevae Te Pania, who proudly hails from the villages of Salelologa and Saleuimoa

This week, Aotearoa New Zealand is celebrating Papua New Guinea (PNG) Pidgin Language Week, a milestone for the PNG community with this being the first time that it is part of the official calendar of the language weeks. We spoke to Esther Paraka, a Financial Administrator under the Pasifika Medical Association Group (PMAG), who was born and raised in PNG, about her pride and joy in celebrating her roots.

Fifth year medical student and Etu Pasifika Canterbury (EPC) intern, Joshua Smith, was born in Lae, Morobe Province, in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Currently living in Christchurch, Joshua completed his high school years at Christchurch Boys High School and is completing his tertiary studies at the University of Otago (UoO).

The Etu Pasifika Canterbury Whānau Ora Day was a heartwarming celebration, bringing together Pacific families from across Canterbury to mark another year of growth, connection, and community support. Organised by Etu Pasifika Canterbury (EPC), the day provided a joyful space for families to reflect on their achievements as we near the end of 2024.

Staff members from the Etu Pasifika clinics across the country attended the Pasifika Futures Ltd (PFL) 10-year Whānau Ora conference in Auckland last week, celebrating a decade of the programme’s impact in New Zealand.