Director of F’INE Pasifika, Phylesha Brown-Acton, delivered a powerful keynote address about health and wellbeing, stressing the importance of using weaving as a communications tool for navigating difficult conversations.
“Weaving is an indigenous concept, and we need to invite these cultural concepts into our work space and practice. Be inspired to learn how to weave, and relate it to health and wellbeing - that is how we begin to overcome communication barriers,” Brown-Acton says, encouraging conference delegates.
The Living Longer, Living Better Health Lives panel then commenced, chaired by Etu Pasifika Auckland (EPA) GP, Dr Colin Beumelburg. He was joined by Sonda Tepton, Vice President of Dental Services from Southcentral Foundation, Sioeli Brown, Health Coach from EPA and John Tanuvasa, owner of OHN Clothing and currently on a health journey with EPA.
A robust discussion took place, with Tanuvasa sharing that Pacific people needed to be selfish with their health in order to be present for the generations to come. Tepton touched on the importance of joy and its positive contribution towards improving health outcomes, and Brown shared that in his role as health coach, his goal was to always empower and have their customers lead their health journey.
The education session keynote was shared by PFL CEO, Debbie Sorensen, and Otahuhu College Principal, Neil Watson, who both shared about the impact of the school’s Health Science Academy, which has been supported by PFL over the last decade.
The education panel, chaired by Tāmaki College Principal Soana Pamaka, invited Sellina Sau, Latu Puloka and Kensington Fifita to the stage to discuss the importance of education.
Sau, a navigator at Pacific Trust Otago, was a recent graduate of the inaugural micro credential course led by the PMA Knowledge Hub and the University of Auckland. She shared that even in her 40s, there was still much to learn and be educated about. Puloka, Coordinator at the Oceania Career Academy (OCA), reflected on the wrap-around support that was needed for young people and how instrumental OCA’s service has been for their students. Fifita, a Tāmaki College alumni, shared a refreshing perspective about how educators needed to take into account students’ personal lives and what could be affecting their studies.
In conclusion, both panels were a reminder of the work to be done to ensure that Pacific families are equipped to live long, healthy lives and to thrive in all education pathways.