A one-day pre-conference workshop “Stories from the Solomons – Lessons & Learnings from a Disaster Zone” was held on Wednesday 27th August. Attendees heard about the latest New Zealand Medical Assistance Team deployment to the Solomon Islands, with opportunities to volunteer with the next deployment.

Pasifika Medical Association President Dr Kiki Maoate (ONZM, FRACS) officially opened the conference on Thursday 28th August. As a Paediatric Surgeon and Urologist, Dr Maoate is a well-respected leader in the Cook Island community and Pacific health sector in New Zealand and the region.

Lord Tangi o Vaonukonuka (FRACS) spoke of transforming lives through Whanau Ora.  A former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health to the Kingdom of Tonga, Lord Tangi is recognised as an outstanding health leader, clinician and statesman in the Pacific region.

A welcome cocktail function was hosted by Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Hon. Peseta Sam Lotu I’iga at Parliament House on the evening of 27th August.

Other conference sessions included presentations on transforming lives through Whanau Ora, Economic Transformation, Collective Transformations, a debate on Collective vs Individuals, and panels on Measuring Outcomes, Lifelong Learning for All, Living Longer Living Better and Leading our Families, Communities and Country.

The event officially concluded with a conference dinner on the evening of Friday 29th August.