By Melvina Martin- Piri'anga Alofa Pacific and Community Services Immunisation Project Co-ordinator 

Overview

The Health and Wellbeing Event held in Highbury, Palmerston North was a resounding success. This initiative brought together a wide range of health organisations, many of which had not engaged with this community in several years. The event provided an essential opportunity to reconnect, offer support, and deliver vital health services to whānau, particularly Māori and Pacific families.

Community Impact

Our Piri'anga Alofa Pacific and Community Services team was proud to offer kai baskets to families, providing immediate relief and demonstrating our commitment to addressing food insecurity and financial stress. Feedback received from attendees has been invaluable, helping us shape future narratives and reporting. More importantly, these stories affirm the importance of our work in reducing barriers to healthcare access.

We were especially pleased to see strong engagement from Māori and Pacific whānau, and we acknowledge the contributions of all partners who provided culturally responsive support and advice throughout the day. 

 

Participating Organisations 

• Te Whatu Ora / NPHS
• Health Promotion Teams (Alcohol, Smoking, Social Issues)
• Pacific Nurses Team – Immunisations
• Screening Services (Bowel, Cervical, Breast)
• Dental Health Services
• Mobile Health Promotion Van (TBC)
• Te Wakahuia and Nga Kaitiaki
• Sports Manawatū (Play activation equipment)
• Niu Vaka
• Diabetes Trust
• Plunket (B4School Checks – TBC)
• Immunisation Overflow (TBC)

Conclusion 

This event reaffirmed the importance of community-based health outreach, especially in underserved areas. The collaborative effort among health providers enabled us to deliver meaningful services and identify individuals needing further care. We look forward to continuing this work and expanding our reach to ensure equitable health outcomes for all.