Oamaru Pink Event targets cervical screening
This Cervical Screening Awareness Month (September), Pacific women in Oamaru will be able to talanoa/talk with clinicians about cervical cancer and access on-the-spot screening at the Oamaru Pacific Island Trust (OPIT) Moana Lei Pink Event this Saturday 27 September.
Moana Lei, also known as Pink Days, is a collaboration between OPIT, WellSouth Primary Health Network and Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand’s National Cervical Screening Programme, Southern.
OPIT CEO Ms Mata’aga Hana Fanene-Taiti says this year’s event is more targeted, looking at conditions that affect many Pacific women but are often not talked about.
Key speaker on the day, WellSouth Senior Clinical Advisor, Pasifika and GP Dr Letava Tafuna’i
“This time around, we wanted to focus on building health awareness on cancer, cardiovascular risks and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).”
The event will be at the new OPIT Ribble Street Hub from 10am-2pm.
Dr Letava Tafuna’i, a GP and WellSouth’s Senior Clinical Advisor, Pasifika will share on PCOS, screening and cardiovascular disease risk, while OPIT nurse Robyn Cleverley and staff from Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand’s National Cervical Screening Programme, Southern will be providing cervical registration and screening on the day.
Other OPIT staff members will support with education, sharing health information and encouraging registration and booking appointments for cervical, bowel and breast screening.
Data at September, 2025, shows the current cervical screening rates for women in Otago and Southland from the National Cervical Screening Programme. The screening programme covers those wahine aged 25-69 years old. Around 61% of Pacific women are up to date on screening, but 13% of Pacific women have never been screened.
Figure 1: NCSP cervical screening data for Otago and Southland women as at 10 September, 2025
Mrs Halalele says Pasifika women are over-represented in cervical cancer.
“Our women are less likely to be screened on time, or screened at all, compared to other ethnicities, leading to higher rates of cervical cancer, but also bowel and breast cancer. With our large Pacific population in Oamaru, we need to make these simple and quick checks more accessible.”
OPIT Community Practitioner Lead (Care Coordinator/ Kaiawhina) and event organiser Mrs Mafa Alaloto encourages women to look after themselves and come on the day for free information and checks.
“We know that these events make a difference. Not only do women enjoy the time to listen and talanoa with each other, but the space is culturally appropriate and safe for many of our women, and being on the weekend in the afternoon, it is more accessible.”
There will also be general wellbeing checks including blood pressure checks.
Women will be treated to a heart-health approved buffet, prizes and give-aways including Pure Fiji pamper packs.
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