Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

The devastating impacts of climate change on health in the Pacific Islands will be discussed at a symposium at the University of Auckland on 5 June.

Dr Roannie Ng Shiu, a director of the university’s Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa – Centre for Pacific and Global Health, says the symposium will not only examine the health impacts of climate change in the Pacific, but share potential solutions.

Climate change is driving up temperatures in the islands – and heat is a “silent killer”, says Ng Shiu, a key speaker at the symposium.

“More than 2000 people died of heat-related conditions in the Pacific Islands between 2000 and 2022. Heat stroke is the main cause of death,” she says.

While health services can advise people to stay cool and hydrated, poor access to clean drinking water in many Pacific Islands makes that more difficult, Ng Shiu says.

“What we really need is a better international commitment to reducing greenhouse gases.

“Pacific people are resilient. We’ve been adapting for years, but our adaptation measures can’t keep up with the rate the climate is changing,” she says.

Increasingly hot, wet weather is causing spikes of diseases, such as dengue fever, zika, chikungunya, which are spread throughout the Pacific by Aedes mosquitos. In Papua New Guinea, malaria is also a growing risk.

“Two young people have died from dengue fever in Fiji and Samoa over the past few weeks – one was a 12-year-old boy – and there’s an outbreak in Tonga too.”

Ng Shiu says one solution to infectious diseases rising as the climate warms is to better integrate health and meteorological surveillance systems.

She says more funding is needed so weather services can provide warnings to Pacific health services about upcoming periods of wet, hot weather, enabling agencies to fumigate areas where mosquitos breed.

Funding is also required for research into the mental health impacts of climate change in the Pacific, Ng Shiu says.

“We’re hearing about children in Fiji who have been traumatised by cyclones destroying their villages, so as soon as they hear strong winds, they run away from school in terror.”

New Zealand government policies are exacerbating climate change, rather than turning the tide, she says.

“New Zealand is supposed to be the heart of the Pacific, so they should be doing more to protect it.”

Speakers at the symposium will include Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa director Professor Sir Collin Tukuitonga, Te Whatu Ora Director of Public Health Dr Corina Grey, University of Auckland Professor Cliona Ni Mhurchu, and Fred Hollows Foundation NZ chief executive Dr Audrey Aumua.

Pacific Islands experts travelling to Aotearoa to speak at the event include director of the Fiji Institute of Pacific Health Research at Fiji National University Associate Professor Donald Wilson and Samoa’s Director General of Health Aiono Professor Alec Ekeroma.

Te Poutoko council chair and former New Zealand Director-General of Health Professor Sir Ashley Bloomfield will facilitate a panel discussion at the symposium, featuring University of Auckland Professors Jemaima Tiatia-Siau and Dame Teuila Percival, and Ekeroma, Wilson and Grey.

Tagata Pasifika director and reporter John Pulu will be MC and Reverend Igasiatama Mokele will offer opening and closing prayers.

The symposium on Vulnerability to Vitality – Pacific and Global Health responses in a changing climate is on 5 June from 9am to 4pm at Fale Pasifika, 22 Wynyard Street, Auckland.

The public and media are welcome to attend. Register here: http://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/te-poutoko-ora-a-kiwa-research-symposium-2025-tickets-1235148936719

APPELLATION MARLBOROUGH WINE UNVEILS GROUNDBREAKING INTERACTIVE WINE MAP

Te Whatanui Leka Skipwith, a dedicated kaitiaki and staunch advocate for the protection of Rotokākahi, yesterday announced his candidacy for the Māori ward in the upcoming Rotorua local body elections.

Driven by the unwavering support, guidance, and leadership of his whānau and hapū, Skipwith is stepping forward to bring about systemic change from within – challenging the very structures that have historically enabled poor planning, flawed decision-making, and the exclusion of mana whenua voices.

“The ongoing fight to protect Rotokākahi has shown me how broken the system can be when mana whenua are not properly consulted,” said Skipwith. “This isn’t just about the environment – it’s about justice, equity, and honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi in real, practical ways.”

Skipwith sees his candidacy not only as a continuation of the fight to protect Rotokākahi, but as a new avenue to ensure that this never happens again. “This is another step in safeguarding the mauri of Rotokākahi – and in time, we must also find a way forward to remove the pipe entirely. That is part of the vision – restoration, not just protection.”

A key focus of his campaign will be building a genuine, enduring partnership between council and all iwi – not just select individuals or groups. This vision includes a Whakamana approach: iwi-led and council-supported solutions that address some of Rotorua’s most pressing social challenges.

“If we whakamana iwi, then we can also whakamana our people – especially our homeless whānau who deserve better pathways to stable housing, support, and dignity,” he added.

Skipwith also emphasised the importance of creating opportunities for rangatahi, including access to employment, education, and training. “Our rangatahi are the future of our whānau and hapū. Supporting them into mahi, further study or upskilling is how we strengthen our communities from the roots up.”

With deep connections to Rotorua and a fierce commitment to protecting whenua, taonga, and people, Te Whatanui Leka Skipwith’s campaign is a call for action, accountability, and authentic partnership.