The sudden announcement of a nationwide Alert Level 4 lockdown last month put a halt to the journey back home for members of the Tongan Olympic team, who found themselves stranded in Christchurch.

A month on since the Covid-19 Delta outbreak and the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) through Pasifika Futures (PFL) – the Whānau Ora commissioning agency for Pacific families – has utilized $7.8 million to support Pacific families during this current community outbreak.

Gordon Junior Kap Elijah Feagaiga has celebrated his first birthday in a Covid facility.

After a raft of issues affecting some Pasifika in quarantine facilities, like a lack of food and medical care, the Government has agreed to partner with a Pacific agency to work towards solutions.

Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) is working closely with Pasifika Futures Limited (PFL) – the Whānau Ora commissioning agency for Pacific families, to help Pacific individuals and families who are needing support in MIQ.

Pasifika Futures (PFL) – the Whānau Ora commissioning agency for Pacific families – in partnership with The Fono, mobilized a team of Covid-19 “Community Finders” to help stop the spread of the contagious Delta variant within the Pacific community.

The Delta variant had proven how contagious it is within the community with multiple schools infected within a short space of time. For Ōtāhuhu College a link to a positive Covid-19 Delta case meant staff, students and their families were directed to self-isolate immediately.

When the current Delta outbreak affected the schools of De La Salle College and McAuley High School, there was no hesitation by Pasifika Futures (PFL) – the Whānau Ora commissioning agency for Pacific families – to reach out and offer their support.

Pasifika Futures (PFL) – the Whānau Ora commissioning agency for Pacific families – will receive a boost in funding after Prime Minister, the Rt Hon. Jacinda Ardern and the Minister for Whānau Ora, the Hon. Peeni Henare, announced an additional $23 million in funding for Whānau Ora services.

Pasifika Futures (PFL) – the Whānau Ora commissioning agency for Pacific families will continue to provide its extensive support services for Pacific families while the demand is still there.

In an interview for Te Ao Tapatahi, Dr Tukuitonga emphasised the importance of tailoring support to Pacific so it is better communicated and accessed. “We’ve got to be more imagina...

The largest Pacific health provider in Christchurch, Etu Pasifika, is continuing to see high demands from Pacific families for the Covid-19 vaccine. They will be running a vaccination drive for their Pacific community this weekend.