🌺 Calling all Pacific Youth in the Bay of Plenty! 🌺
Talofa lava, Malo e lelei, Kia orana, Bula vinaka, Fakaalofa lahi atu, and warm Pacific greetings!
This is your chance to share your experiences, thoughts, and needs to help shape programmes and services that truly support our Pasifika communities.
Eligibility: Pacific youth aged 16–24 years living in the Bay of Plenty
The survey is completely confidential and will only take 5–10 minutes to complete. Your voice matters, and your input will make a real difference for our communities.
We look forward to hearing from you—fa’afetai tele lava for being part of this important initiative! 💫
The Rotorua Pacific Islands Development Charitable Trust is excited to announce Jacqueline Pointon as our newly appointed Chief Executive Officer.
A New Zealand-born Samoan from Lufilufi and Leulumoega Tuai, Jacqueline brings over 15 years of experience working across the education, social, and health sectors. With a law and management background (University of Auckland) and a Master’s in Indigenous Human Rights (University of Otago), she has shaped impactful policies, led national initiatives, and represented Pacific voices on the global stage.
Guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Pacific values, Jacqueline is passionate about empowering communities and driving meaningful change.
We are incredibly proud to acknowledge Tupou, our dedicated Whanau Ora Team Leader, for successfully graduating from the Pacific Wellbeing Micro-Credential, delivered in partnership with the Pasifika Medical Association and the University of Auckland.
This pioneering learning is designed to empower leaders with the knowledge and skills to improve the health and wellbeing of Pacific families across Aotearoa. Tupou’s dedication to this ngaue reflects her commitment to supporting Pasifika familie with cultural care and ofa.
The graduation ceremony at the Fale Maama was a powerful celebration of this remarkable cohort’s journey. It was an honour to hear from inspirational leaders like Dr. Roannie Ng Shiu and La’auli Savae Sir Michael Jones, who reminded us of the courage, vision, and responsibility it takes to create meaningful change for our communities.
Tupou, we are so proud of you for your perseverance and leadership. Your work is an inspiration to all of us. Malo ‘aupito to you and everyone involved in this incredible cohort’s journey—well done! 👏🏽
I am afakasi Samoan, with family in Tokoroa and Rotorua. I enjoy baking in my spare time and spending time with family (or video calling them when I am in Dunedin).
This year I completed my 4th (out of 6) year of Medicine, down in Dunedin at the University of Otago. I have dreamed of being a doctor since a young age, and the passion has only grown over the years. I have a particular interest in serving our Pacific community and hope to work in Primary Care to do this, such as becoming a GP. Empowering and supporting people’s wellbeing is one of the ways I express love, and it fills my cup to see people feeling cared for and achieving their best!
Over this summer I have the privilege of doing an internship through the Pacific Opportunities Program Otago (POPO) with the Rotorua Pacific Islands Development Charitable Trust. This internship allows me to get hands on experience in a Pacific workplace, and build my knowledge, skills and relationships. I have already learnt so much from my few days here at the RPIDCT, that I will carry with me into my future practice as a doctor, and personal “tool kit”.
I am so incredibly grateful for the RPIDCT team making me a part of their aiga over the summer, the POPO team for the training and support, and my family for the ongoing alofa. If you have any questions about my journey to becoming a doctor, the POPO program or University life please let me know!
This year, our early childcare center proudly celebrated Tongan Language Week, a vibrant event that brought the rich language and culture of Tonga to life for our children, families, and staff. The theme of the week centered around the importance of language as a key to understanding and preserving the cultural heritage of the Tongan community.
Throughout the week, our center was filled with the sounds of Tongan language, music, and stories. Each day, we introduced the children to common Tongan words and phrases, helping them to connect with the language through songs, games, and interactive storytelling. The children enjoyed learning simple greetings, colors, and numbers in Tongan, and it was heartwarming to see them confidently using these words with their peers and teachers.
Fakamākeke ma loto tetele. Koutou nahe mātataku, ma ia koutou nahe loto vāivai, auā ko te Aliki te koutou Atua, e fakatahi ma koutou pe ko fea lava e olo koutou ki ei.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
MEN’S HEALTH DAY Called Fakamākeke,
CALLING ALL PASIFIKA MEN
Fakamākeke Will be held on 14th SEPTEMBER 2024 from 11AM – 3PM.
Location: Te Ao Marama Hall, Ohinemutu, Rotorua.
Here in Rotorua, we find that our Pasifika Islander community have trouble to get the health resource’s’ that they need.
We are creating a Men’s Health event that allows Pacific Island men to come and Talanoa in a culturally safe space about their health and sustaining healthy behaviours.
Communication can be a huge barrier when it comes to pacific Island men requesting the support they really need.
Here at Fakamākeke we are making a culturally safe, diverse health space where all Islander men can feel welcomed and appreciated.
With a huge array of service providers available to accommodate all types of men’ health issues.
ETC…
Black Diamond Family Barber (Matapa Upoko Cook Islands barbers) will be offering free cuts for men to help raise their self esteem.
Heart Foundation NZ – Offering Blood pressure checks and education around healthy heart choices.
Hepatitis Foundation NZ – Lucy Rio (Cook Islander) Hep C point of care testing and screening.
Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ.
Tautoko Tane, Bay Of Plenty – Uipo Tagaloasa (Samoan). To be able to Talanoa around enabling the wellbeing of male survivors of sexual violence.
Diabetes NZ – HBA1C point of care testing. Diabetes Screening. Immunisations across the lifespan – DTAP, MMR, COVID BOOSTERS, INFLUENZA, BEXSERO, VARCILLA.
Registered (Samoan) Nurse and health team to administer FREE health checks.
Phlebotomy – Blood drawing service for diagnostic testing. Miri Miri Team (Māori) to give free massage to our men for free.
We will be having a BBQ with steak Sammie’s and Sausages. Chop Suey and rice.
There will be giveaways to participants.
If you have any questions regarding Fakamākeke (Men’s Health Event), Please Contact Tafea Iasona or Kaleb Samoa (Tafea-0221379182) (Kaleb-0225678209) or email admin@rpidct.nz
‘Tautua i le alofa, manuia le lumana’i’- Service in love for a blessed future
Samoan language week with Essence of Pacific Early Learning Center, ROTORUA and their outstanding, beautiful kaiako (teachers), always making Essence of the pacific a diverse, inclusive, engaging environment for everyone included. Essence of the Pacific Early Learning Centre always provides a rich learning environment, Full of diverse languages and always embracing every pacific Island language for our Pacific Island children, for their sense of identity and cultural heritage to be embraced and uplifted.
Talofa lava, Ni sa Bula vinaka, Kia orana, Malo e lelei, Taloha ni, and greetings
All Rokovi Ira/Elderly Programme session celebrations are an unforgettable experience filled with joy, cultural richness, and heartfelt connections. In celebrating Rokovi Ira, we not only honoured our cultural roots but also fostered a sense of community and intergenerational connection. These communal moments, where people come together to share food, stories, and laughter, are truly special. They not only nourish the body and the soul but also strengthen the bonds of community and culture. We hope the warmth of Rokovi Ira experience lingers on, creating cherished memories for everyone involved.
At our Elderly programme, we prioritize the well-being of our elders by encouraging healthy hobbies and activities to keep them active and engaged. Among the many outings and events, we organize, our elders have enjoyed experiences like the Mamaku Rail Cruise, Rotorua Duck Tours, trips to the local cinema, singing in aged care homes, swimming activities and cooking workshops.
Additionally, The Rotorua Pacific Islands Development Charitable Trust host health days throughout the year, offering vital services such as blood pressure checks, heart screenings, immunizations, and screenings for conditions like prostate and bowel health, as well as Hepatitis C.
Our ultimate goal is to address all health and well-being concerns within our Pasifika communities, fostering self-care and self-love. We provide an array of tools, resources, services, education, and information to empower our Pasifika community on their health journey.
Talanoa Ako is held on Wednesdays after work hours from 5.30pm to 8.00pm. Funded and in partnership with the Ministry of Education. A programme the Rotorua Pacific Islands Development Charitable Trust hold to the highest standard of appreciation to help and support our Pasifika parents to understand and to discuss the importance of NCEA and to educate and support all Pasifika parents around their children’s Academic future.
Talanoa Ako 2023-2024
Talanoa Ako – Pacific Parent responsive education programme from 2023-2024 with the Rotorua Pacific Development Charitable Trust & The Ministry of Education, New Zealand.
A 10 Week Parent Focused workshop every Wednesday from 5.30pm – 8.00pm.
An engaging and informative session tailored to help Pasifika Parents understand and navigate the NCEA educational system in New Zealand, Aotearoa.
Every session is discussing different topics based on helping parents with understanding the importance of your children’s education and NCEA with the New Zealand Curriculum.
We recognize the importance of Pasifika Parents’ involvement in your children’s education and want to empower you with the knowledge and tools needed to support their academic journey.
Hot meals are provided to assist you and your children throughout the night.
These Talanoa nights radiate with positivity and the shared commitment of wanting to learn how to support their children through their academic Journey.
Click the link to participate: https://form.jotform.com/250157583391864
Samoan language week with 
