Moana Lei Events For Women’s Health

Finding ways to open up conversations, or talanoa, about important women’s health topics, Pacific Invercargill Advisor Charitable Trust (PIACT) and Pacific Trust Otago (PTO) are hosting Moana Lei events in May in Invercargill and Dunedin, respectively.

Moana Lei is a collaboration between each Pacific provider, WellSouth Primary Health Network and Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand’s National Cervical Screening Programme, Southern. The events are designed to empower women, offering health information and health checks to them in a culturally safe and accessible space.

Invercargill Moana Lei is on Thursday May 8 from 5-8pm at the PIACT Hall, on 135 Bowmont Street, and in Dunedin at the HUB, Otago Polytechnic on 9 May from 6-9pm.

PIACT Community Linkage Worker and Whanau Ora Navigator Aiga Toomalatai says the timing is around Mother’s Day.

“We want to say thank you to our Pasifika mums and women for all that they do, and treat them to an evening of pampering, while offering opportunities to start or keep talanoa/conversations going about what’s important for women and how to keep themselves well. We need to look after ourselves!”

Pasifika women are over-represented in statistics for screening with our Southern women less likely to be screened on time, or screened at all, leading to higher rates of bowel, cervical and breast cancer among Pasifika women.

“There are many reasons for this, and we know one of the key reasons is that Pasifika women put their family first,” says Ms Toomalatai.

Women will also be able to get screened and vaccinated at the event.

Both PIACT and PTO have held similar, well-attended events before.

This year in response to demand, PTO has a bigger venue. PTO Director Health Services Finau Taungapeau says this is to cater to the Pasifika population in Dunedin.

“Our pink event last year was packed and we hope by using the HUB space we can get more women in for the evening to be pampered and to get a chance to talanoa and get health checks.”

“By creating an accessible, fun event, we can break down barriers and provide positive health experiences at the same time celebrating the mums leading up to Mother’s Day”

At both events, women will be treated to pamper stations, free food, prizes and gifts including pamper packs from Pure Fiji to take home. There will be stations for women to talk to health professionals from WellSouth, PIACT, PTO, Health NZ, Breast Cancer Foundation New Zealand and, for those who are eligible, access free HPV screening and vaccinations on the night.

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