The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) have deployed a multi-lingual Medical Assistance Team (PACMAT) today to provide primary care, psychosocial and mental health support for communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle in the Hawke's Bay region.

Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) is set to deploy a Medical Assistance team (PACMAT) to Hawke's Bay this week, specialising in primary care, psychosocial and mental health support – an essential service as the region continues to deal with the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle. This decision comes after a smaller PACMAT team carried out an initial needs assessment in Napier, Hastings and Gisborne over the weekend.

Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) will be deploying a medical assistance team (PACMAT) today with a focus on assessing needs for those in the Hawke's Bay Region affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. The PACMAT team will travel to Napier before heading to Gisborne on Sunday. Pasifika Futures (PFL), the Whānau Ora commissioning agency for Pacific families, have also donated $50,000 towards support for RSE workers and the Tongan community in Hastings.

Etu Pasifika Auckland have continued to respond to families' needs through their Etu Rere Call Centre, following the impact of the recent floods and cyclone. They also continue to provide medical support to evacuation centres such as the Henderson Evacuation Centre, with a team of five recently sent to support evacuees from Muriwai.

As the upper North Island continues to be prepared for Cyclone Gabrielle, Pasifika Futures (PFL), the Whānau Ora commissioning agency for Pacific families, will continue to support affected communities, having invested $1.8 million into flood relief support.

PMA congratulates the new Secretary for Pacific Peoples and Chief Executive for Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP), Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone, who has officially transitioned into her role. She says she is honoured to be in a position that will allow her to make a positive impact on Pacific communities.

Pasifika Futures (PFL), the Whānau Ora commissioning agency for Pacific families, have urgently mobilised support in response to the recent Auckland floods. PFL has currently invested $1.17 million into several partners, ensuring that immediate on-the-ground relief support has been readily available for families in need.

The extreme weather events in Auckland over the weekend have seen many Pacific families request urgent food and welfare support, and Pasifika Futures Ltd (PFL), the Pacific Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency, have mobilised quickly to respond to these needs by working closely with core partners such as The Fono and Etu Pasifika Auckland to serve our most vulnerable communities.

Hailing from the shores of Tonga and Papua New Guinea and a recent graduate from the University of Auckland, Vili Hasiata initially did not envision himself studying to become a doctor, but is proud of himself for the achievement.

The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) welcomes the appointment of Hon. Chris Hipkins and Hon. Carmel Sepuloni as the incoming Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister for the Government of New Zealand.

The Pasifika Medical Association's (PMA) two Medical Assistance teams (PACMAT) have now completed their deployment in Niue, having offered support to Niue Foou Hospital from December 18, 2022 to January 12, 2023.

Former Ōtāhuhu College student and recipient of the 2021 PMA Papaali'i Dr Semisi Ma'ia'i University of Otago Scholarship, Monson Prouting, looks forward to entering the health workforce after having graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Otago.