PHANZ REPRESENTS AOTEAROA AT CHOGM 2024, SAMOA
Photo 1: Ms Gail Duncan (Co-President, PHANZ Council), Dr Cadence Kaumoana (CEO, PHANZ), Mr Patrick Salmon (Member, PHANZ Council)
Photo 2: Some of the members and guests of the PHANZ delegation: Mr John Tamihere, Sir Collin Tukuitonga, Mr John Fiso, Ms Mary Lose, Mr Raphael Hilbron, Mr Paul Retimanu
The Public Health Association of New Zealand (PHANZ) was invited to participate in the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa, contributing to discussions on health justice, equity, and the role of civil society in public health.
With a dedicated delegation of health leaders, PHANZ aimed to highlight the importance of including Indigenous, Pacific, and community health perspectives in global health conversations. The event offered a platform to amplify the voices of communities often underrepresented in health governance.
Key Discussions and Outcomes
During CHOGM 2024, PHANZ engaged in critical discussions on the following key health priorities:
Health Equity and Justice: Advocating for the prioritisation of health equity within global health frameworks.
Climate and Health: Addressing climate change as a health issue, with a focus on its disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities.
Indigenous Leadership in Health Governance: Emphasising the value of Indigenous governance models in shaping more inclusive health systems.
The PHANZ CEO, Dr Cadence Kaumoana, took part in two roundtable discussions and high-level engagements with Commonwealth leaders, promoting the need for Indigenous health leadership and governance as a central aspect of health equity efforts.
Reflections from the Delegation
Dr Kaumoana, reflected on the experience, saying, “Our participation at CHOGM 2024 allowed us to elevate Aotearoa’s public health perspective. We welcomed the opportunity to advocate for health equity and Indigenous leadership.”
Impact
PHANZ’s participation in CHOGM reinforces its commitment to advocating for public health equity within the Commonwealth. By elevating Māori, Pacific, and community health perspectives, PHANZ aims to positively influence global health priorities. The connections made and insights gained will shape PHANZ’s ongoing work in health system reform, workforce development, and public health advocacy.
Next Steps
As part of its next steps, PHANZ will:
Share CHOGM Outcomes: Update stakeholders, partners, and members on key outcomes from CHOGM discussions.
Strengthen International Partnerships: Deepen partnerships with international health organisations and Commonwealth stakeholders.
PHANZ remains committed to ensuring that the voices of Māori, Pacific, and vulnerable communities are heard in global health forums. Through its participation in CHOGM, PHANZ seeks to contribute to a global discussion on health equity and Indigenous health governance.
For more information, please visit:
CHOGM Official Site: https://thecommonwealth.org/chogm
Health Equity Resources: https://www.hqsc.govt.nz/consumer-hub/engaging-consumers-and-whanau/health-equity-links/