The Pasifika Medical Association's (PMA) Medical Assistance team (PACMAT) has deployed its second team to Vanuatu this week as they continue to provide primary care, psychosocial and mental health support to communities affected by Cyclone Kevin and Cyclone Judy.

Easter is a time of reflection. Over last few months we have seen climate emergencies and disasters impact our country and the Pacific region, and we are grateful that we have been able to serve our communities, who have kept their spirits and their faith high through it all.

The Pasifika Dental Association (PDA) was officially launched in Auckland at the New Zealand Dental Association. Etu Pasifika Christchurch Board Director and PMA Member, Dr Tule Misa, has been named as the President of the association, an opportunity she looks forward to in helping promote the importance of oral health.

The Pasifika Medical Association's (PMA) Medical Assistance team (PACMAT) arrived in Port Vila, Vanuatu yesterday to provide primary care, psychosocial and mental health support for people who have been affected by the recent tropical cyclones. Supported by the NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), they travelled with the NZ Defence Force and a delegation led by NZ Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Nanaia Mahuta.

Following the devastating impacts of tropical Cyclone Judy and Cyclone Kevin in Vanuatu, the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) will be deploying a Medical Assistance Team (PACMAT) to the island nation, supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). The 28 day mission will see the emergency team provide primary care and mental health support to the local community affected by the recent cyclone; the team travels Wednesday 29 March 2023.

The Pacific Mental Health Commissioner was officially launched today at the Pasifika Futures (PFL) Whānau Ora Conference. The work of the commissioner will be delivered through PFL's Ngalu Fānifo mental health service. This initiative has been established with the purpose of improving mental health and well-being outcomes for Pacific people, families, and communities.

The Pasifika Medical Association Membership (PMAM) will be supporting the upcoming Hack Aotearoa Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Conference and Datathon as one of the key sponsors. The conference will focus on artificial intelligence (AI), digital health and data science in the context of transformations within health systems, organisations and models of care.

Recipient of the inaugural Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Sorensen Scholarship, Lorenzo Havili, will be graduating later this year, having completed his Bachelor of Science (Physiology) at the University of Otago. Havili was a former Ōtāhuhu College student and credits his family as a key part of his success.

Ateliana Taufa, recipient of the inaugural Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Sorensen Scholarship, recently graduated from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Oral Health. A former Ōtāhuhu College student, Taufa acknowledges her family, especially her grandmother, as the motivation behind her studies.

The Pasifika Medical Association's (PMA) Medical Assistance team (PACMAT) have deployed a primary care and mental health team to Wairoa today, following a scoping assessment last week in the district. The team will work closely with local health providers on the ground to provide medical and psychosocial support for forestry and freezing works workers.

The Pasifika Medical Association's (PMA) Medical Assistance team (PACMAT) has deployed a small scoping team to Wairoa today to assess the needs of RSE workers in the area. This comes after the town was one of the hardest hit areas during Cyclone Gabrielle, and further devastated with the latest downpour of floods.

The Pasifika Medical Association's (PMA) Medical Assistance Team (PACMAT) in the Hawke's Bay have hit the ground running to provide psychosocial support for RSE workers.