Debbie Sorensen
Pasifika health leader on hopes for pandemic inquiry
A Pasifika health leader hopes the Royal Commission into the Covid-19 pandemic will delve into the "mainstream, white New Zealand" response initially taken by the government.
The Government has… Audio
Is home isolation stemming Covid spread? : Pasifika concerns
As Omicron infections escalate, so is concern from Pasifika outreach organisations about whether Government and public health initiatives endorsing home isolation, and community care are going to keep… Audio
Issues raised about pulse oximeters
Research out of the United Kingdom that pulse oximeters don't work so well for people with darker skin, is causing concern in Aotearoa where more than half of the Covid-19 cases in the current… Audio
Covid surge, Auckland GP 'We are not ready, we have no pulse oximeters'
A South Auckland doctor is concerned the death rate of people with Covid isolating at home will rise, as many GPS don't have the resources or equipment to monitor them. Around 2000 people with the… Audio
More help on the way for south Akl to deal with Covid
More help is on the way for the south Auckland communities bearing the brunt of the Covid outbreak.
The government this morning announced an extra $10 million for food and essential items.
Māni… Audio
Covid-19: Pacific charity sees big increase in demand
A charity for Pacific people say the demand for support during alert level 4 continues to increase.
Pasifika Futures is a Whanau Ora Commissioning Agency and they've handed out over 12,000 packages… Audio
Pacific community struck hard by Delta
There are now 107 cases of the delta variant of Covid-19 in the community, with more than half of the infections among Pasifika whanau. Pasifika community and health services are rallying to offer… Audio
Fiji Govt under pressure to initiate Covid-19 lockdown
Pressure is mounting on the Fijian government to impose a national lockdown amid the worsening Covid-19 crisis in the Pacific island nation. Audio
Covid-19 in Fiji: Pressure builds for govt to change strategy
Yet more pressure is mounting on the Fijian government to impose a national lockdown amid the worsening Covid-19 crisis.
More than 16,000 people infected with the virus are in isolation - with a… Audio
Under 5s health reforms could address ethnic inequalities
Inequalities for Māori and Pasifika could be challenged by new healthcare services reforms for children under five. A Government review has found children are slipping through the cracks of its health… Audio
Pasifika Medical Association head on vaccination plans
The government is being urged to consider vaccinating South Aucklanders first when the community roll out starts.
Papatoetoe and its surrounding suburbs are grappling with the current Covid-19… Audio
Covid-19: Pacific health leaders warn against using police to help with contact tracing
Pacific health leaders are warning that bringing police in to help with Covid-19 contact tracing is a bad look and there are better ways to bolster expertise.
The police are providing advice to the… Audio
Pandemic further entrenches Auckland's inequalities
The level of hardship caused by Covid-19 in Auckland's Pasifika community is causing children to drop out of education to support their families. Audio
Covid-19: Families hit by lockdown downturn
Kids doing schoolwork in cars and multiple breadwinners from the same family suddenly out of work - these are the stories of struggle emerging from the second Covid-19 lockdown in Auckland.
Social… Audio
Samoan medics from Auckland head to Samoa
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed New Zealand as the likely source of Samoa's measles epidemic. Audio
Tackling Pacific health issues to the fore in NZ this week
Incentives for Pacific doctors and strategies for tackling health issues have been workshopped in New Zealand this week. Audio
