Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora has announced the new chair of Fatu Fono Ola- The National Pacific Health Senate.
Dr. Kiki Maoate is a specialist paediatrician surgeon and paediatric urologist, who has been part of Fatu Fono Ola since it was established in January 2023.
Of Cook Island heritage, Dr. Maoate is an Associate Pacific Dean at the Christchurch School of Medicine and University of Otago. He is the President of the Pasifika Medical Association Group and Chairperson of Pasifika Futures Ltd and Pasifika Whanau Ora Commissioning Agency.
Fatu Fono Ola is an independent advisory board made up of 11 senior Pacific clinicians from across the country. It supports Health New Zealand to deliver more equitable health outcomes for Pacific peoples.
Health NZ Director for Pacific Health Markerita Poutasi says, “Dr. Maoate has been an invaluable member of Fatu Fono Ola since its inception. His experience as a clinician, deep connections within Pacific communities and the support he provides to Pacific countries means his contributions to our work are based on practical needs and experience our workforce, systems and Pacific peoples face every day.”
Dr. Maoate says Fatu Fono Ola provides an opportunity to have a direct impact on Pacific health outcomes from the policy and programme design level. Fatu Fono Ola provides guidance on operating model changes in Te Whatu Ora and Pacific leadership advice to the system with a strong focus on the initiatives outlined in Ola Manuia Interim Pacific Health Plan.
