Pioneering Pacific health organisation re-launches

PRESS RELEASE

14 August 2014

For immediate release

Pioneering Pacific health organisation re-launches as The Fono offering broader, more affordable services to Auckland communities

The Fono Health and Social Services officially launched in Henderson, Auckland on Saturday, 9 August. Amongst those in attendance were Auckland Mayor Len Brown and Minister of Social Development Hon. Paula Bennett.

The Fono brings together The West Fono Health Trust (Henderson), The Peoples Centre (Manurewa), St Patrick’s Square Medical and Dental (Auckland city), Pacific Horizon Healthcare (Blockhouse Bay) and Waitakere Family Start (West Auckland). By pooling resources and combining organisations, Auckland’s high-needs populations have readily accessible, affordable, quality health services available.

The organisation began as a pioneering Pacific Health Organisation a quarter of a century ago, when heath and socio-demographic disparities between Pacific, Maori, and non-Pacific ethnic groups in New Zealand were becoming more evident.

The essence of the organisation is ‘Caring is our Culture’. While The Fono brand still confirms the identity of the organisation, it is dealing with more migrants from across the globe.

The Fono CEO Tevita Funaki said the new brand reflects the strategic direction of the organisation, and builds awareness of The Fono’s services across medical, dental, pharmacy, community and social areas – many of these are free for those who need it most.

“Our services are all about looking at the bigger picture of health,” Funaki said.

“Rebranding our organisation as The Fono unifies us, strengthening our organisation and allowing us to make our unique and affordable services available Auckland-wide. It allows us to expand and continue to serve our community”.

The organisation delivers many services, including wrap around services to primary health care, Whanau Ora, health awareness and education, exercise and nutrition programmes and other community outreach services.

Speaking at the launch, Auckland Mayor Len Brown said “My job often as the Kaumatua (leader) Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland), on behalf of the wider community, one and a half million of us all, is to express our thanks, and our appreciation and our very best for the work thus far, and the work planned as a collaborative body going forward”.

“The Fono brings together organisations who have done great work together over a combined 75 years. It’s our meeting place, the heart of our community. Great spiritual and physical health is critical to how we build our communities going forward.”

ENDS

Click here for a short video about The Fono

Click here for a gallery of images from the launch event

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