Transcript
The Tangata Atumotu Trust was established in 2013, and last year, it launched its latest programme Siva Samoa.
The Christchurch-based programme encourages elder matua to come together and reconnect with their culture.
General manager Carmen Collie-Tuipulotu says the programme also aims to change negative health statistics for Pasifika.
"We are over-represented in statistics and areas that we don't want to be over-represented in. Using the Fonofale model which has been designed by Fuimaono Karl Pulotu-Endemann looks at a holistic approach to health and well-being to ensure we address mental, physical and spiritual well-being."
Fonofale - much like hauora in Tikanga Maori - is an approach to healthcare that incorporates cultural foundations, like spirituality and family, among others.
Ms Collie-Tuipulotu says the Siva program comprises of Samoan songs, music and dance moves and was created with community feedback.
"We recently undertook a review of the program. It had been for a number of years a zumba programme. With feedback we felt that the music was perhaps not appropriate to our matua and some of the dance moves within zumba weren't entirely appropriate, either."
Siva teacher Suli Tuitaupe didn't want to be a nurse but after 18 years in the fitness industry, he has turned to community mobile nursing with Tangata Atumotu.
"It's about working that illness prevention space. Looking at health in terms rather than leaving it to cure. Trying to look at it from a preventative point of view."
Christchurch Pacific community health worker Vailia' Afoa'fui says being a Samoan gives her the opportunity to help translate for those matua who need assistance.
"It's basically more aufeaua matua - the language barrier itself. You know sometimes the isolation of the language, that's the other thing."
Carmen Collie-Tuipulotu says the Trust recently won the NZ Fitness Awards for the programme.
"We recently looked at measles, whether people were screened. Whether they were vaccinated. We also looked at screening programmes. Enabling people to take control of their own health by giving them some of the tools to do that."
She says one of the huge components of the programme includes addressing social isolation.
She says unlike in the islands, most of the elders are at home all day while their families worked.
"People's mental well-being we found has really suffered when they're sitting at home, quite isolated. So the Fonofale model provides an opportunity for them to come together and connect with one another and with their cultural heritage."
The Fonofale model is similar to the fonua model and incorporates the values and beliefs of Samoans, Cook Islanders, Tongans, Niueans and Fijians.
