South Seas Healthcare

29/10/2026

At the heart of our Community Based Capability Building work with the Tātou Collective are whānau-focused events, where fun, connection and information are readily available to communities.

We’ve partnered with Kāinga Ora to deliver school holiday fun days where our whānau and aiga live, at Te Kupenga Community House in Ōtara and Matawaka Lane in Papatoetoe.
At Te Kupenga we welcomed over 45 parents, caregivers and children, including families joining us for the first time and whānau from other Kāinga Ora communities. There was food, activities, movies, music and plenty of laughs, with our Whānau Ora and Well Child teams alongside.

These days are about more than fun. Our community survey at Te Kupenga showed that 44% of whānau hadn't heard of Whānau Ora. It also showed that 62% weren't sure how to access health, housing or social support. Community events help close that gap. Families get to meet our kaimahi in a familiar, trusted space, ask questions in an informal talanoa, and learn how to find the right support. Several whānau went on to connect with our Whānau Ora Navigators.

A big mālō ʻaupito, faʻafetai tele lava and ngā mihi nui to our tamariki, parents, residents, Kāinga Ora, the Tātou Collective and everyone who made these days possible.

26/10/2026

Together for Pacific men’s health and wellbeing
Thank you to everyone who helped bring Friday’s Pacific Men’s Health and Wellbeing gathering together. Over 50 men came along to learn more about bowel screening and tests, prostate health, and welfare support—showing up for the cause and for one another. Help comes in all forms.
A special thank you to Dr Mike Hutchinson from our SSH Ōtara clinic, who joined the men for the morning to raise awareness and answer questions. We appreciate all the partners and participants who helped create space for these important conversations.
As we head towards the end of the year, let’s keep checking in on our mates and family, encourage regular health checks, and support each other to seek help when needed.

18/10/2026

We warmly congratulate Dr Florina Chan Mow on being awarded Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
As a founding member and Board member of South Seas Healthcare Trust, Dr Florina holds a special place in our organisation’s story. This distinguished honour recognises her dedicated service to children, families and Pacific communities, alongside her contributions to rheumatic fever prevention research and teaching future generations of doctors.
Her dedication to teaching was recognised with the University of Auckland’s Distinguished Clinical Teacher Award. In 2023, she was also part of the research team awarded the Health Research Council’s Liley Medal—a significant collective achievement in work that matters deeply to our communities.
Dr Chan Mow’s commitment to children, communities and Pacific health reflects the spirit of tautua—serving others with care, generosity and purpose.
Congratulations, Dr Florina. We are very proud of your achievement

11/10/2026

Vinaka vakalevu, NZ Rugby!
Thank you for your community partnership over the years and for giving our young people and families opportunities to connect and create lasting memories through rugby.

We’re sharing a few photos from being part of the Mitey Match and the Bledisloe Cup game at Eden Park!

The Mitey Match raised awareness of children’s mental health and supports mental health education in schools across Aotearoa—a movement we’re proud to support for young people.

Thank you, NZ Rugby, for hosting us and making this special experience possible! New Zealand Rugby

07/10/2026

South Seas Healthcare welcomed Vaovasamanaia Rt. Hon. Winston Peters today, providing an opportunity for our staff and visitors to share experiences and discuss health as a priority for our communities.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the conversation about the health and wellbeing of the families we serve.

28/09/2026

Bula vinaka! Today we launched our quarterly Bubblegum School Holiday Programme, and we’re starting strong! This week, our tamariki are diving into Fijian culture, language, and tradition, getting a head start on celebrating the rich heritage of Fiji. We’re just getting started, so stay tuned for more over the coming days!

15/09/2026

Well Child Wednesday | Meet Fonofili

When you drop into our Well Child Service at South Seas, you may meet Fonofili, our Child and Maternity Manager.

With more than 25 years’ experience as a Well Child Nurse, Fonofili has spent much of her career visiting families in the community, supporting and educating parents, and monitoring children’s growth and development.

Today, as Child and Maternity Manager, she leads our Well Child team and supports the delivery of a range of child health services, including Mana Kidz, SUDI services and Integrated Services.

Our Well Child Service is FREE.
Find out more: southseas.org.nz/well-child
📧 [email protected]
📞 0800 31 13 31

15/09/2026

Dame Dr Teuila Percival is South Seas Healthcare’s founding member and Deputy Chair, and a paediatrician at Kidz First. In the report, she highlights the disproportionate impact of this severe flu season on Māori and Pacific children and calls for stronger prevention, including free flu vaccination and greater primary-care support.

We’re proud to see our Deputy Chair and founding member, Dame Dr Teuila Percival, continuing to advocate strongly for the health of our children and families.

Speaking to RNZ about the significant pressure this year’s flu season is placing on children’s hospitals, Dame Teuila highlighted the disproportionate impact on Māori and Pacific children and the importance of stronger prevention and primary care support.

Another important reminder of why accessible, community-based healthcare matters.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/health/1380200/flu-season-hitting-children-s-hospitals-hard-extra-paediatricians-called-in

Extra paediatricians are being drafted in and elective procedures are still being called off in the busiest flu season for Auckland's children's hospitals in years.

08/09/2026

Well Child Wednesdays | Meet Fuifui

When you come along to our Wellbeing Hub in Ōtara, you’ll meet some of the lovely people who make up our Well Child team — including Fuifui.

Each Wednesday, we’re shining a light on the people behind our FREE Well Child Service and the mahi they do alongside our families and pēpē.

Talofa, I’m Fuifui. I have more than 10 years of experience within the Well Child team. I’m passionate about supporting families and making a difference in my community.

My days involve visiting families, providing health education and support, checking in on mothers and children, and connecting families with services when needed. What I enjoy most is building trusting relationships and helping families feel supported and empowered.

Check out our FREE Well Child Service: southseas.org.nz/well-child
[email protected]
0800 31 13 31

05/09/2026

Happy Father’s Day!

As some of our team share, being a father is about showing up, guiding, protecting and helping shape the next generation.

Today, we celebrate you. Happy Father’s Day!