Media release from Waikato District Health Board

Waikato District Health Board, Pacific health providers and churches from throughout the region are joining forces to improve the health of Pacific people.

More than 250 church ministers and members from six Pacific ethnic groups met last month and agreed that a church-based health programme, with support from health providers and the DHB, was the best way forward for their communities.

The programme will be similar to Lotu Moui, a Counties Manukau DHB programme that has had great success in improving the health of Pacific church communities.

Members discussed how a programme could be adapted to suit them and identified challenges, barriers and priorities facing Pacific people's health.

Pacific health service providers K'aute Pasifika Trust, South Waikato Pacific Island Health Committee and Te Rapakau Pacific Health Trust organised the fono (meeting) with support from Waikato DHB.

K'aute Pasifika chief executive Peta Karalus said 84 per cent of Pacific people are affiliated with a church or religious organisation, making churches an ideal setting for  implementing health promotion messages.

There are approximately 40 Pacific churches in Hamilton and Tokoroa with some having congregational members of up to 200 people.

"Churches are a safe haven for Pacific people and an ideal setting to provide information, education, and supportive actions for families.

"Last month's fono was a great success with overwhelming willingness to establish a programme similar to Lotu Moui within churches and communities because of its mind, body and spirit approach to health.

"The feedback about the fono has been extremely positive with most participants agreeing to work together not only within their own ethnic churches but as communities for the benefit of all," Mrs Karalus said.

Pacific providers are now evaluating feedback from the fono before defining the details of the initiative.

Waikato DHB's Healthy Eating Healthy Action (HEHA) programme director Janet Hanvey was pleased to have the opportunity to work with the church leaders and Pacific providers to support them to address health issues facing their communities. 

"Pacific people are a priority population for Waikato District Health Board, and in some cases, the hardest to reach.

"Last month's fono was very well attended and supported by Pacific communities. It was great to hear about challenges from their perspective and what the DHB needs to consider when working within them. They've given us some great direction," Mrs Hanvey said.