It was a day of gratitude and family when the Etu Pasifika staff and the Pasifika Medical Association leadership team held a lunch for the builders, tradesmen, and their families, who built and renovated the new Pacific health clinic in Christchurch.
About 100 people enjoyed lunch and were entertained by a local 7-piece Cook Islands band a day after the official opening of the new clinic on the weekend. Etu Pasifika was established in 2016 under the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) group of companies with a partnership with Canterbury District Health Board, after the previous Pacific health provider in Canterbury, Pacific Island Health Council, could no longer operate.
The opening of Etu Pasifika’s brand new building signified the organisation’s growth and the demand for Pacific focused health care for families in the Canterbury area. About 40 builders and tradesmen from Gaze Commercial worked on the project to refit the new building on Tuam Street and were personally thanked at the special lunch by PMA chair Dr Kiki Maoate (ONZM, FRACS), PMA Chief Executive Mrs Debbie Sorensen and Etu Pasifika’s general manager, Amanaki Misa.
“We wanted to acknowledge the physical workers who put in the blood, sweat and tears into building this premises. It’s consistent with our Pacific values to never forget the people in the background. It’s a chance to tell these workers that they are our family as well”, Says Misa.
Misa also adds, “In a mainstream context, you normally just pay the builders and workers for their services. But the coming together, the breaking of bread and showing how much we appreciate their hard work, is just as important. It’s the Pacific way.”
Kerry Smith, the project manager for the construction and renovations, says the lunch was appreciated by his workers and their families and strengthened the bond between his company and Etu Pasifika.
“It’s great to come along and get together like this, especially when we can bring our wives and our children to experience the best of Pacific hospitality. We are proud of this clinic and know it will benefit the community.”
#pmafamily
Date – Thursday 02 June 2021