Pacific Health

LotuMoui

There are more than 100 Pacific churches in the Counties Manukau District with congregations ranging from 30 or fewer members into the thousands. These organisations are sources of guidance, advice and solace for many Pacific people and have become a structure that is deeply imbedded within Pacific communities in New Zealand. The church is seen as being a place where Pacific peoples congregate, fellowship, share and receive information, and also as a place where relationships are maintained and connections are preserved with family members, Pacific languages, culture and traditions.

Definition of LotuMoui
‘Lotu’ means “church” or “prayer” in most Pacific languages, while “Moui” is a Tongan and Niuean term that generally means good health that encompasses mind, body and soul. The ‘mind, body, spirit’ approach to health is holistic and inclusive. Importantly, it is consistent with Pacific people’s concepts of health and wellbeing.

Founding Scripture for LotuMoui:
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers”
3 John 1:2

The first Inaugural Pasefika LotuMoui Health Symposium was held with Pacific church communities in Counties Manukau on the 1st & 2nd of December 2004 at the Waipuna Lodge. More than 350 people attended the Symposium and were representative of a number of different denominations and ethnic groups. During the Symposium a health grant was launched for Pacific churches in the Counties Manukau District which now sees 50 Pacific churches implementing healthy lifestyle activities with their congregations. Since the LotuMoui Symposium, the following milestones have been achieved:

§         LotuMoui Grants Scheme established

§         Launch of church programmes and LotuMoui Report 2005

§         Smoke-free church toolkits launched

§         Smoke-Free Health Promotion training with Pacific Islands Heart Beat for LotuMoui Churches

§         Health committee fono held on Monitoring and Governance Training

§         Pacific church ministers forum established

§         Nutrition Education Module delivered to LotuMoui Churches

§         ‘Let’s Beat Diabetes’ Education Module delivered to Ministers Forum.

Contact person for LotuMoui:

If you have any questions concerning LotuMoui, please contact:

Silao Vaisola-Sefo (Team Leader)
Email: silao.vaisola-sefo@middlemore.co.nz
Phone: 09-262 9590

Published: 10-Jul-2009 | Website enquiries: Web Content Manager