MIL OSI – Source: Heart Foundation – Release/Statement
Headline: Farewells in the Fale
Michael Colhoun & Anna Tu’inukuafe
Anna joined Pacific Heartbeat on a short-term contract in late 2015. She says she’s been warmly welcomed by the team and has learnt a lot about tobacco control and nutrition. Anna will most likely return to the tertiary education sector, where her strengths lie, but she’ll continue working heavily with local communities delivering health and fitness programmes.
Anna says an important proverb to her is: ‘Fangota kihe kato ‘ava – fishing with a bag that has holes in it’.
What this means is you can have all the skills and the right attitude, but if you don’t look after the basic needs, you will fail.
Anna came to Pacific Heartbeat because, to make a difference, she needed to learn the basics of Pacific health. Having only worked in a frontline role once (in the area of drugs and alcohol a few ago) she was keen to step outside her comfort zone and tackle some new challenges. It had always been on her bucket list to work in the Pacific Heartbeat team so when she saw the opportunity, she took a chance and applied.
“I’ve been a quiet tenant in the team, operating like a sponge every day, soaking up all the knowledge and wisdom that each colleague has,” Anna says.
“The Pacific Heartbeat team are meticulous, courageous, hilarious, generous, caring and passionate. They are a true testament to what a high-performing team looks like. On top of that, they work for the betterment of Pacific people.
“Every day it’s been my absolute honour to call this my place of work and proudly tell people where I work and what it is that I contribute to. I would like to sincerely thank the PHB team for all their guidance, patience, teachings, conversations, laughs, wisdom, caring, generosity, prayers, food and support.
“In particular, I want to acknowledge Mafi, Edward and Louisa for your consistency in showing leadership, high expectations and standards of work, and putting Pacific people at the forefront of your work, which trickles down to the wider team. Also to Jill who helped me a lot every day!
“I will carry my experience with the PHB team in high esteem when I go on to my next chapter. THANK YOU to each person in PHB – you are all amazing towers of strength and knowledge. I miss each of you already.
“‘Ofa lahi atu and God bless you!”
Michael, a veteran smokefree campaigner, is also on a fixed-term contract until the end of July.
Michael says the team at Pacific Heartbeat are warm, friendly, and passionate about their work.
“I have to pay tribute to Louisa Ryan, Manager Pacific Health. Her tireless efforts on keeping tobacco top of mind among competing health priorities is to be admired. I have no doubt this has made a considerable improvement for Pacific health in New Zealand.
“It’s also been an absolute privilege to work alongside Tala Pasifika Programme Manager Edward Cowley. This is a man who is as passionate about Smokefree 2025 as I am, and his leadership of the Pacific smokefree sector is something to behold. Fa’afetai tele.
“To the entire Pacific Heartbeat team, you are true Pacific champions, true public health champions. While you may all have differing health and educational backgrounds, what is consistent is your meaningful engagement with Pacific communities.”