Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala speaking at the Fale Pasifika. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai
Earlier this year, Tonga's former minister of health Dr Saia Piukala made history by becoming the first Pacific person to be named as the World Health Organisation's Regional Director for the Western Pacific.
The role covers 37 countries and 1.8 billion people.
This week Dr Piukala was the guest of honour at the University of Auckland -- where he spoke about giving Pacific communities a stronger voice on a global level.
RNZ Pacific's Grace Fiavaai was there and has this story
