Etu Pasifika Canterbury (EPC) is delighted to announce an addition to this year’s Board of Directors – Dr Letava Tafuna’i. Born and raised in Samoa, Dr Tafuna’i also carries Fijian heritage.

Taliah Su’a, a former Health Care Assistant (HCA) at Etu Pasifika Canterbury (EPC), has been making strides in her intercalated PhD while studying medicine at the University of Otago (UoO). She recently reached a significant milestone, successfully completing the first phase of her research on Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) in the Waitaha Canterbury region.

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Richard Cowley, an orthopaedic surgeon based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, to the Board of Directors at Etu Pasifika Canterbury (EPC). Dr. Cowley brings extensive medical expertise, and we look forward to the valuable insights and impact he will have, not only among fellow board members but also on our staff, community, and patients.

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

Etu Pasifika Canterbury (EPC) is excited to kick off 2025 with a growing team, welcoming new staff who are passionate about empowering our Pacific communities. Among them is Steve Lasei, who joins our Health Coaching team, with his extensive experience and deep commitment to community well-being.

Etu Pasifika Canterbury is excited to welcome Richard (Richy) George, a Cook Islands nurse, to the team.

As we embark on another year of serving our Pacific families and communities, Etu Pasifika Canterbury is thrilled to welcome a new Whānau Ora Navigator to the team, (Leasiolagi) Maseiga Taufua. A proud Samoan woman, Maseiga hails from the beautiful villages of Lalomanu and Ulutogia in Samoa.

Etu Pasifika Canterbury (EPC) is proud to announce Aaron Mauger as one of our new Board Directors. A household name in New Zealand rugby, Mauger brings fresh perspectives and a commitment to helping EPC enhance its services for Pacific communities.

The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Group is proud to announce that our Chief Executive, Debbie Sorensen, has been acknowledged in the prestigious New Year’s Honours List. A proud mother, grandmother, wife, and daughter of Tonga, Debbie has been appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for her services to Pacific health.

Health agencies have confirmed today that Aotearoa New Zealand is now in the early stages of a Whooping Cough epidemic, with a nationally coordinated response now in place.

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).