Thinking Outside the Coconut Shell! Working in Partnership With Pasifika Individuals, Families & Communities
Tracks
Boetdoemba (Sea Eagle)
| Monday, October 30, 2023 |
| 5:00 PM - 5:20 PM |
Overview
Vui Suli Tuitaupe, Tangata Atumotu
Speaker
Mr Vui Suli Tuitaupe
Team Lead - Clinical & Health Promotion
Tangata Atumotu
Thinking outside the coconut shell! Working in partnership with Pasifika individuals, families & communities
Abstract
“O lou soifua maloloina lelei! - Health is wealth!”
Vui is passionate about health and wellbeing, and the promotion of physical activity.
Physical activity is a crucial component of illness prevention, yet illness prevention strategies are severely “underplayed and underrated" among New Zealand's health decision-makers.
Effective health campaigns within the Pacific community must consider the cultural nuances and the holistic concepts of healthcare held within the Pacific worldview. Vui believes that this can be built on authentic relationships with communities, based on trust and respect, by offering families the right advice on illness prevention, rather than on illness cure!
Vui's passion for equity stems from supporting, inspiring, and empowering families to take ownership of their health status and wellness. Part of his role is leading Pacific dance-inspired fitness classes to communities in accessible venues and online.
As a fitness trainer over the past two decades, he choreographed the New Zealand Exercise Awards winning Island Dance Beats, a Pacific-dance inspired group fitness class that encourages participants of all flavours to participate at their own pace or abilities, either in the comfort of their homes or in the live class environment.
The class is based on familiar island dance music to island dance moves. Vui has created an array of moves that is fun, achievable and inclusive to the needs of the class participants. The emphasis is on “hot hips and hot lips!”
Group exercise classes creates an exciting opportunity for whānau bonding and can be a salvation for people who are isolated.
"It's about bringing individuals and communities together when they would otherwise remain inactive at home. It's about breaking down barriers such as physically inactivity and social isolation," says Vui.
Vui adds "what gets people moving is music that is close to their hearts – the beats from the islands!
Vui is passionate about health and wellbeing, and the promotion of physical activity.
Physical activity is a crucial component of illness prevention, yet illness prevention strategies are severely “underplayed and underrated" among New Zealand's health decision-makers.
Effective health campaigns within the Pacific community must consider the cultural nuances and the holistic concepts of healthcare held within the Pacific worldview. Vui believes that this can be built on authentic relationships with communities, based on trust and respect, by offering families the right advice on illness prevention, rather than on illness cure!
Vui's passion for equity stems from supporting, inspiring, and empowering families to take ownership of their health status and wellness. Part of his role is leading Pacific dance-inspired fitness classes to communities in accessible venues and online.
As a fitness trainer over the past two decades, he choreographed the New Zealand Exercise Awards winning Island Dance Beats, a Pacific-dance inspired group fitness class that encourages participants of all flavours to participate at their own pace or abilities, either in the comfort of their homes or in the live class environment.
The class is based on familiar island dance music to island dance moves. Vui has created an array of moves that is fun, achievable and inclusive to the needs of the class participants. The emphasis is on “hot hips and hot lips!”
Group exercise classes creates an exciting opportunity for whānau bonding and can be a salvation for people who are isolated.
"It's about bringing individuals and communities together when they would otherwise remain inactive at home. It's about breaking down barriers such as physically inactivity and social isolation," says Vui.
Vui adds "what gets people moving is music that is close to their hearts – the beats from the islands!
Biography
Vui works for Tangata Atumotu, a well-established Pacific health and social service provider. He is also the proud founder of Moana Vā – Navigators of Pacific Pride, a collective that supports and empowers our Pacific Rainbow+ communities locally.
Vui works in collaboration with stakeholders to advocate for our most vulnerable and marginalised Pacific families. He is passionate about holistic health and wellbeing, and the promotion of physical activity.
As a nurse and fitness trainer, he is committed to supporting individuals and families in their health journey, and to help inspire and motivate communities with the message ‘health is wealth’.
