The Oamaru Pacific Island Trust (OPIT) is hosting a Moana Lei Pink Event this Saturday (27 September), offering women the chance to come together for important health checks, information and support.

September is Cervical Screening Awareness Month and it will be a key focus, with on-the-spot registration and screening available along with information on breast and bowel screening, blood pressure and other women's health issues that affect many Pacific women but are often not talked about.

“This time around, we wanted to focus on building health awareness on cancer, cardiovascular risks and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS),” says OPIT CEO Mata’aga Hana Fanene-Taiti.

As of September 2025, only around 61% of Pacific women are up to date on screening and 13% have never been screened.

Figure 1: NCSP cervical screening data for Otago and Southland women as at 10 September, 2025

“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", Hana says.

"With our large Pacific population in Oamaru, we need to make these simple and quick checks more accessible.”

OPIT Community Practitioner Lead and event organiser Mafa Alaloto says "we know that these events make a difference".

"Not only do women enjoy the time to listen and talk 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.”

Key speaker on the day, WellSouth Senior Clinical Advisor, Pasifika and GP Dr Letava Tafuna’i. Photo: Supplied.

Guest speaker Dr Letava Tafuna’i, a GP and WellSouth’s Senior Clinical Advisor, Pasifika, will speak on PCOS and cardiovascular health.

OPIT nurse Robyn Cleverley and staff from Te Whatu Ora’s National Cervical Screening Programme will provide cervical 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. 

Once again, OPIT is sharing the opportunity with the wider Waitaki community with a focus on women who are overdue, due or never screened.

"Non Pacific are welcome to register to attend the event, especially given the topic Dr Letava will talk about", says Hana.

Due to venue constraints, women are asked to register via email or in person at the OPIT Learning Hub in Ribble Street.

Alongside the serious focus, the dress code is pink and the afternoon will include a heart-healthy buffet, prizes, and Pure Fiji pamper pack giveaways.

The Moana Lei Pink Event is free to attend this Saturday, 10-2pm at 22 Ribble Street, Ōamaru.

Visit the OPIT Learning Hub, email [email protected] or [email protected] to register.