Serving Pacific families
in the Canterbury Region.

Serving Pacific families in the Canterbury Region.

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).

Etu Pasifika Canterbury (EPC) is excited to welcome Norman Vaele to the team as the Lead for the Ngalu Fānifo mental health service. Driven by his motivation to serve Pacific communities, Vaele looks forward to offering his insights from previous roles to champion the needs of Pacific families in the Canterbury region.