Latest news with #RNZPacificBulletin
Scoop
28-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Taulasea, Or Traditional Healers, Play A Significant Role In Samoan Society, New Study Finds
, RNZ Pacific Bulletin Editor A new study has found traditional healers, or Taulasea, have a key role in Samoan society. The study was published in Kotuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online. Researchers interviewed 14 Taulasea - three were from Aotearoa and the others from Samoa. They were aged between 44 and 94 years old and practiced a range of healing methods. The findings revealed four major themes: sacredness of the Taulasea knowledge and practice; Taulasea specialisation; Taulasea methods and approaches; and holistic views that impact health. Lead author Professor Riz Firestone from Massey University said Taulasea play a sacred, community-centred role "rooted in spiritual duty rather than commerce". "Healers diagnose holistically, combining prayer, plant-based medicines, massage and dietary advice, and they act as gatekeepers, referring severe cases to westernised medical care," she said. "Present-day lifestyle habits that are modernised, reliant on processed foods and sedentary lifestyles contribute to surging diet-related conditions like type 2 diabetes and malnutrition. Taulasea advocate a return to simple traditional diets." The study said traditional healers are often the first port of call for Samoans in need of care. "The healing practices of Taulasea are deeply rooted in a spiritual context, where their work is above mere employment and is perceived by them as a sacred duty," it said. "This sense of duty shapes how they conduct their practices, emphasising the role of service over financial remuneration. "Although it is difficult to validate the spiritual dimension of the Taulasea's work, as people continue to use their services as either a first port of call or simultaneously whilst seeking Westernised medicine, the perpetual use of traditional healing reinforces the value of their positionality in society." Taulasea also recognised shifts in practices due to the changing environment and conditions that people present to them, the study said. "The blend of traditional, cultural, spiritual, and scientific may provide a robust framework for addressing health issues and enhancing overall quality of life. "In some societies, there have been collaborative approaches, where Taulasea have played a complementary role with Westernised doctors, but this has been largely regulatory towards traditional healers. "Nonetheless, both practitioners can coexist, but a model of care and the nature of the collaboration requires further consultation between the two." The study also noted recent research that showed there may be "subjective benefits" that patients reap from seeing a traditional healer, that "may not be quantifiable in a Western framework", and so the subjective benefits must be further explored to get a deeper understanding of their work and role. "As global standards are shifting to incorporate more indigenous and traditional knowledge, it would be important to acknowledge the Taulasea still have a significant role in current modern-day systems, and this could be capitalised upon. "What is currently needed is a further understanding of why people continue to use Taulasea; and how a reciprocal model of care be informed and developed for use in the future, where Samoans (and all Pacific people) have access to the best of both traditional and Westernised healing practices." The study also said the Taluasea were strict on patient commitment and compliance. "From the Taulasea's perspective, this is a critical part of their service, because should the patient not comply, the consequences are detrimental to the Taulasea themselves or their family members. "They believe that the sickness or illness transfers to them and/or to their family members; whether people regard this as being superstitious, it is a commonly held view by the Taulasea in this study from generational knowledge passed down to them." The study did note its limitations, including a small, non-random sample size, possible translation issues, and its reliance on narrative interviews without other forms of methodological triangulation, such as observational data.
Scoop
18-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Womb Cancer ‘Really Hitting The Pacific And Māori Communities', NZ Biologist Says
Article – RNZ Mori and Pasifika women have some of the highest rates of womb cancer in the word. , RNZ Pacific Bulletin Editor Susana Suisuiki, Pacific Waves Presenter/Producer Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific Bulletin Editor A University of Auckland biologist working on less invasive tests for womb cancer (or endometrial cancer) says studies suggest that one of its causes is higher weight or metabolic diseases, such as diabetes. The number of diagnoses of the disease in New Zealand has risen from 600 a decade ago to around 750 a year. Māori and Pasifika women have some of the highest rates of womb cancer in the world. Researchers say younger New Zealand women are now being diagnosed with womb cancer, which previously struck after menopause. It is occurring in women aged 30 to 40 and is particularly prevalent in Māori and Pasifika populations. 'We need to do a bit more work and to have a look at the numbers,' Dr Cherie Blenkiron told Pacific Waves. 'But the studies that are out there suggest that is really one of the main causes…particularly in New Zealand, for the increased number of people who are being diagnosed each year. 'Unfortunately, that really is hitting the Pacific and Māori communities.' She said there have been 'really tight studies' that have shown that one of the causes is higher weight or metabolic diseases, such as diabetes. 'What they've shown in these trials overseas is if you treat and you manage those conditions better, then you reduce the likelihood of those women developing endometrial cancer.' However, Dr Blenkiron said it is a type of cancer that can be removed if found early. Symptoms can include cramping and abnormal bleeding or spotting. 'You know your body perfectly well, so if there's any change in in bleeding, then really do get it checked out by your GP. 'Women will present with symptoms, and that really means that if they act on those symptoms…we can pick up the cancer early, we can treat it early, and this is a type of cancer that can be cured very easily with surgery or really limited forms of drugs.' The new screening tests the university is working on aim to do move away from 'quite nasty' biopsies and to minimally invasive tests, Dr Blenkiron said. 'We're looking for molecules, for example, in the blood or in little biopsies. Or one of the projects that we're doing is looking for swabs. So taking self swabs, much like have been done in cervical cancer,' she said. 'So blood tests, swab tests – much easier to take and much more painless. 'What we do with these tests is to first, hopefully, pick up the cancer earlier. So these would be screening tests. 'And second to pick the right medicine or the right treatment for each patient,' she added.
Scoop
18-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Womb Cancer 'Really Hitting The Pacific And Māori Communities', NZ Biologist Says
Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific Bulletin Editor Susana Suisuiki, Pacific Waves Presenter/Producer Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific Bulletin Editor A University of Auckland biologist working on less invasive tests for womb cancer (or endometrial cancer) says studies suggest that one of its causes is higher weight or metabolic diseases, such as diabetes. The number of diagnoses of the disease in New Zealand has risen from 600 a decade ago to around 750 a year. Māori and Pasifika women have some of the highest rates of womb cancer in the world. Researchers say younger New Zealand women are now being diagnosed with womb cancer, which previously struck after menopause. It is occurring in women aged 30 to 40 and is particularly prevalent in Māori and Pasifika populations. "We need to do a bit more work and to have a look at the numbers," Dr Cherie Blenkiron told Pacific Waves. "But the studies that are out there suggest that is really one of the main in New Zealand, for the increased number of people who are being diagnosed each year. "Unfortunately, that really is hitting the Pacific and Māori communities." She said there have been "really tight studies" that have shown that one of the causes is higher weight or metabolic diseases, such as diabetes. "What they've shown in these trials overseas is if you treat and you manage those conditions better, then you reduce the likelihood of those women developing endometrial cancer." However, Dr Blenkiron said it is a type of cancer that can be removed if found early. Symptoms can include cramping and abnormal bleeding or spotting. "You know your body perfectly well, so if there's any change in in bleeding, then really do get it checked out by your GP. "Women will present with symptoms, and that really means that if they act on those can pick up the cancer early, we can treat it early, and this is a type of cancer that can be cured very easily with surgery or really limited forms of drugs." The new screening tests the university is working on aim to do move away from "quite nasty" biopsies and to minimally invasive tests, Dr Blenkiron said. "We're looking for molecules, for example, in the blood or in little biopsies. Or one of the projects that we're doing is looking for swabs. So taking self swabs, much like have been done in cervical cancer," she said. "So blood tests, swab tests - much easier to take and much more painless. "What we do with these tests is to first, hopefully, pick up the cancer earlier. So these would be screening tests. "And second to pick the right medicine or the right treatment for each patient," she added.
Scoop
16-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
New Campaign Aims To Encourage More Pasifika Women To Get Breast Screening
, Pacific Waves Presenter/Producer Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific Bulletin Editor A new campaign called 'Vaine Toa' is aiming to boost breast screening numbers among Pasifika women. Breastscreen Aotearoa's Lisa Te Paiho said there are a number of barriers that prevent Pasifika women from getting their screening done, including transport and finance-related. "With Breastscreen Aotearoa we're aiming to screen...70 percent of all eligible women," she said. "It's actually pretty good coverage for Pacific women at the moment, across all of Aotearoa, it is 68 percent. So we're not at target, but that rate differs across the country, and there's some areas where it's a lot lower. "I think that overall, the rates have increased, but that's still not where we'd like them to be." She told Pacific Waves there's some myth busting they want to do in terms of what breast cancer means. "We also just want people talking about it, if they can," she said. "Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women in Aotearoa, and there are around three-and-a-half thousand women diagnosed each year. "We want women to know that it's okay to talk about it and to feel safe and to feel like it's okay to share their stories. Because there are many, many breast cancer survivor stories for Pacific women - for many women." Te Paiho said there are a number of myths they want to debunk. "There's one that cancer is not treatable or curable, or that anyone diagnosed with cancer is going to die. So we really want people to know that we've come a long way, and cancers are treatable," she said. "Many people believe the treatment themselves are quite hard to go through, and many, many years ago, that would be the case. "But now, for most breast cancer treatments, some people - they carry on with their mahi. They don't actually stop, or they only slow down a little bit. So it's something that most people are able to to to do, and it's okay. "I think another myth about breast screening is that it's very painful. It is uncomfortable, but it shouldn't be painful." The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation states women should regularly check their breasts to know what's normal for them, and recommends women consider having regular screening from age 40.
Scoop
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Drug Trafficking In The Pacific Discussed At Dubai Police Summit
Article – RNZ Pacific police chiefs have discussed the region's drug trafficking problems on a panel at the World Police Summit in Dubai. Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific Bulletin Editor Pacific police chiefs have discussed the region's drug trafficking problems on a panel at the World Police Summit in Dubai. The summit, from 13-15 May, included expert panel discussions, workshops, and a technology exhibition. Fiji Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu, Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Commissioner Mostyn Mangau, and New Zealand Police Assistant Commissioner Bruce O'Brien participated in a fireside chat with the theme: 'The future of the fight: what needs to be done to combat drug trafficking in the Pacific?' The Pacific Island Chiefs of Police (PICP) said the panellists acknowledged that the region's exposure to drug trafficking is increasing, and discussed how current and future strategies such as the Pacific Transnational Crime Network, and the Pacific Policing Initiative are being leveraged to reduce the Pacific's vulnerabilities. Speaking to Emirates News Agency, PICP Secretariat executive director Julian Bianco said new drug smuggling patterns represent a direct challenge to security agencies. He affirmed that stronger regional cooperation and intelligence sharing are vital, particularly with increased maritime drug transit towards Australia and New Zealand. In a pre-Budget announcement on Saturday, New Zealand's Customs Minister Casey Costello said the country [ was increasingly being targeted by organised crime groups. 'Transnational and serious organised crime threats are growing worldwide. These groups are increasingly targeting the Pacific and New Zealand, which has some of the world's highest prices for illicit drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine.' According to the World Police Summit background information, 80 percent of global cocaine seizures are linked to maritime trafficking. Drug trafficking is not a new problem in the Pacific. A 2024 UNODC report said the transnational organized crime threat environment in the Pacific is evolving faster than in any previous point in history. 'Transnational organized crime groups are targeting the region as an increasingly important transit route for the trafficking of methamphetamine and cocaine to and from neighbouring regions,' it said. 'The increase in traffic has also led to a spillover in domestic markets in the Pacific, and authorities in some countries have observed a rise in the availability and use of drugs, particularly methamphetamine. 'Local agencies have observed that non-medical drug use is causing serious harm to some users, with increases in domestic violence risks, sexual violence, child neglect, mental and physical health issues, and poor educational and employment outcomes in some Pacific countries.' Fiji's Narcotics Bureau warned last month the country's battle against drugs could get harder if fentanyl becomes widespread. FBC reported Jemesa Lave from the Bureau saying this drug is more dangerous than methamphetamine and cocaine. Earlier this month, New Zealand's top cop has reassured the leaders of Fiji and Samoa that he has their back, as a regionwide drug crisis rolls on. In January, Samoan authorities intercepted 10 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (worth almost NZ$2.5 million in street value), which has been described by the Samoa Observer as 'the largest known drug smuggling operation' on the island.
