Education In Diabetes, Reducing Alcohol Harm, Immunisation Benefits & Pop-Up Vaccination Clinics In Pacific Communities

InformationNZ, in partnership with Pacific communities, successfully delivered another popup community vaccination clinic in Porirua at Pahina o Tokelau Church, along with a series of health education workshops in Lower Hutt over the weekend. The workshops focused on diabetes prevention and management, the benefits of immunisation, and reducing alcoholrelated harm. They were delivered through its To’oto’o o le Manino church programme, working closely with Pacific churches and communities to strengthen health knowledge and support people to make informed choices about their health.

Pacific communities continued to experience some of the highest health inequities in Aotearoa. According to the New Zealand Health Survey, Pacific adults had significantly higher rates of hazardous drinking compared with the general population, and Pacific peoples lived with diabetes at nearly twice the national average, with type 2 diabetes developing earlier and progressing more rapidly. Alcohol use contributed to weight gain, insulin resistance, and poor glucose control—factors that increased the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and worsened outcomes for those already living with the condition. These overlapping pressures made culturally grounded, communityled education essential.

“Our workshops are already making a difference. Families are turning up to be vaccinated after attending our education sessions. We are contributing to improving health targets for Pacific people in immunisation, diabetes screening and management, and supporting behaviour change to reduce alcohol harm. When people receive clear, culturally grounded information, they take action — that’s what strong health literacy looks like,” said Strategic & Engagement Manager, Leaupepe Anthony Leaupepe.

InformationNZ is calling on Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora to provide sustained funding to ensure longterm delivery of these programmes. Consistent investment is vital to improving health literacy and ensuring Pacific families have the right information, knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about their health & wellbeing.

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