Colin Tukuitonga
Pacific Community reaches 70
The Pacific's main scientific agency, the Pacific Community, celebrates 70 years of operation. Audio
Little progress despite years of efforts to combat NCDs
Despite efforts to combat the non-communicable-diseases crisis in the region over the years, there's been little progress. Audio
Can the Pacific address its non-communicable diseases crisis?
More than just policy change needed to address the fact that up to 75% of deaths in the Pacific Islands region are due to non communicable diseases, such as diabetes and heart diseases. Audio
Pacific countries top rising malnutrition report
A new report on the state of nutrition around the world puts Pacific island countries at the top of malnutrition statistics. Audio
Pacific struggling in battle against NCDs
The Pacific Community (SPC) says a new multi-country, multi-sectoral approach is needed to try and rein in the region's non-communicable disease crisis. Audio
Bleak outlook for Pacific on World Health Day
Today is World Health Day but by all accounts the Pacific is anything but healthy. Between 30 and 50 percent of the populations of all Pacific countries are either overweight or obese and the region… Audio
Soaring child obesity levels one focus at WHO meeting
Childhood obesity in Pacific Island Island countries and other regions around the world is the focus at a WHO meeting later this week in Ghana. Audio
Pacific students, teachers call on WHO to help prevent obesity
Students and teachers from around the region are calling on the WHO to help change local policies that would prevent obesity. Audio
Cyclone Pam: SPC on standby to assist Pacific Islands
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community is on standby to provide technical assistance to countries affected by Cyclone Pam. Audio
NZ called on to provide more support for future of PI fisheries
The future of coastal fishing in the Pacific Islands is up for debate this week, and the pressure's on New Zealand to help with more research. Audio
SPC to be an observer at UN
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community has been awarded observer status at the United Nations. Audio
SPC's talks with French president
A high-level meeting between the French President and Pacific Island leaders in Noumea has sparked optimism that the Pacific's fight against climate change will finally be put under the spotlight. Audio
Concern for health of NZ's Pasifika peoples
A leading public health expert says the health of Pasifika peoples in New Zealand is going backwards and turning that around should be a top priority of the new government. Audio
Expert says the health of NZ Pasifika peoples is deteriorating
A leading public health expert says the health of Pasifika peoples in New Zealand is going backwards and turning that around should be a top priority of the new government. Audio
Call to rationalise Pacific aid spending to promote delivery
The head of the SPC advocates a rationalisation of how international agencies provide aid assistance in the Pacific. Audio
New SPC head keen to raise organisation's profile
New SPC head keen to raise organisation's profile. Audio
PEDA misses out on public funding it was promised
There will be no public money after all for a little known organisation that secured nearly five million dollars in the May Budget, contrary to officials' advice. Audio
Ideas for 28 November 2010: Colin Tukuitonga
Colin Tukuitonga was born on Niue - or 'the rock' as it's affectionately known. In his early teens he went to Fiji to further his education, eventually graduating as a medical doctor. His has been a… Audio
Pasifika students' subject choice faulted
Secondary schools are being faulted for failing to ensure Pacific Island students choose subjects that get them into high paying jobs. Audio
Government to open up funding for Pacific skills training
In a complete about face, the government is asking a range of organisations to bid for the 4 point 8 million dollars that was earmarked in this year's budget for a little known Pacific agency. Audio