Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa

Centre for Pacific and Global Health

Our vision is healthier, stronger, thriving, self-sufficient Pacific and global communities. Established in 2023, Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa (Centre for Pacific and Global Health) is a transdisciplinary research centre at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. We bring together Pacific and global health leadership, knowledge, and partnerships to advance research that improves health outcomes across our Blue Pacific continent. Our focus spans infectious and non-communicable diseases, climate and health, maternal and youth wellbeing, and equitable health systems.

About Us

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Latest News and Events

Pacific Heads of Health Meeting

⏰ Monday 28th April – Wednesday 30th April 2025
📍 Nadi, Fiji

Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa participated in the Pacific Heads of Health Meeting in Nadi, Fiji, hosted by the Pacific Community (SPC). Our Co-Director, Professor Sir Collin Tukuitonga, chaired a key session focusing on newborn screening, emphasising that “newborn screening is a public health gift — consider it a gift for your children and their futures.” The meeting reinforced regional priorities that align with our shared vision: strengthening primary health care, addressing non-communicable diseases, supporting health workforce development, and responding to climate change impacts on health across Pacific communities.

Regional Workshop on Research Ethics Governance

⏰ Thursday 1st May, 2025
📍 Nadi, Fiji

The Pacific Academy of Sciences (PAS), alongside the Pacific Community (SPC) and World Health Organization (WHO), co-organised a workshop in Nadi, Fiji on strengthening research ethics governance across the Pacific. Te Poutoko team members, serving as PAS trustees, advisors, and secretariat, contributed to developing regional guidelines and establishing a knowledge-sharing network for ethical oversight.

This workshop aligns with Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa’s commitment to ensuring Pacific research maintains the highest ethical standards while respecting Indigenous data sovereignty and community-led research principles, reinforcing our centre’s role in supporting responsible research practices across the Pacific region and beyond.

CAPRI 2025 Third Annual Forum Panel Discussion - Partnerships for the Pacific

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International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) in Abu Dhabi

Our co-director Sir Collin Tukuitonga was recently invited as a guest of the Pacific Community – SPC to speak at the 25th International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) World Conference in Abu Dhabi. He presented on “Turning the Tide – A Disruptive Approach to the Pacific’s NCD Crisis.” Sir Collin challenged the global health community with bold solutions to address the Pacific’s “triple burden” of non-communicable diseases, climate threats, and health emergencies.

Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa's 2025 Research Symposium

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Professor Sir Collin Tukuitonga's Inaugural Lecture

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WHO WPRO Regional Director Visit

⏰ Tuesday 10th June 2025
📍 Manila, Philippines

Following his inaugural lecture, our Co-Director Sir Collin Tukuitonga travelled to Manila to reconnect with regional health leaders Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala (Regional Director) and Dr Sunia Soakai. The visit reinforced our commitment to the World Health Organisation Western Pacific Region’s vision “Weaving Health for Families, Communities and Societies (2025–2029).” This powerful strategy, rooted in the cultural practice of mat weaving where each pandanus strip represents unique contributions, calls for strengthening health systems through social renewal, cultural grounding, and community leadership.

Ask Me Anything Session with WHO WPRO Regional Director Dr Saia Pi'ukala and Sir Collin Tukuitonga

⏰ Wednesday 11th June 2025 12:45 PM – 1:45 PM
📍 Manila, Philippines and Online via Teams

The World Health Organization WPRO recently held a special “Ask Me Anything” session featuring our Co-Director Professor Sir Collin Tukuitonga and WHO Regional Director Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala. Participants had the opportunity to hear personal stories, reflections, and insights from both leaders. This unique dialogue provided valuable perspectives on Pacific health leadership, regional priorities, and the collaborative efforts needed to address health challenges across the Western Pacific Region, strengthening connections between WHO initiatives and our research community.

Introduction to Research; Research for Niue, by Niue: Why it matters. Webinar

Monday 24th February 2025 Niue Time | Tuesday 25th February 2025 NZ Time

Ethics for Research in Niue Webinar

Monday 21st April 2025 Niue Time | Tuesday 22nd April 2025 NZ Time

Data Sovereignty for Research in Niue Webinar

Monday 23rd June 2025 Niue Time | Tuesday 24th June 2025 NZ Time

Niue Knowledge in Research Webinar

Tuesday 19th August Niue Time | Wednesday 20th August NZ Time

Distributive Justice in Health Seminar

Regional Director WHO WPRO Seminar

CAPRI Pacific Health Sytems Sustainability and Resilience Launch

Distributive Justice in Health Seminar

Our Distributive Justice in Health seminar (15 July, Fale Pasifika) explored equity, fairness, and health resource allocation in Aotearoa and the Pacific, with speakers Associate Professor Monique Jonas and Rob Campbell CNZM. The session was facilitated by our Co-Director Professor Sir Collin Tukuitonga.

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Niue Knowledge in Research Webinar

Our Niue Knowledge in Research Webinar (20th August NZT / 19th August Niue Time), the 4th instalment of our Niue Webinar Series in collaboration with Niue Health explored traditional Niue knowledge systems and their role in shaping research. Speakers included Professor Dr Vili Nosa, Ioane Aleke Fa‘avae, and Lisimoni Birtha Togahai. The session was facilitated by Dr Jess Pasisi.

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