Rotorua Pacific Islands Development Charitable Trust

01/12/2025

🌺 Applications are open Le Va & Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora 🌺

Get ready Pacific whānau! Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora's Pacific Health Scholarships are now accepting applications for 2026.

If you're a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident of Pacific Islands descent studying medicine, dentistry, nursing, midwifery, allied health or a disability-related courses, this is your chance to get support towards your fees.

💙 Up to $10,000 for medical/dental students
💙 Up to $5,000 for nursing, midwifery & allied health

Ready to invest in your health career? Head to the link below to learn more and apply!
www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/PHS

📧 Questions? Email [email protected]

28/11/2025

📣 RPIDCT Annual General Meeting

Join us for our AGM on Saturday 29 November 2025, 2:00pm at
📍Rotorua Cook Islands Community Hall
101A Clayton Road
Mangakakahi
Rotorua 3015

All are welcome. Please share with your aiga, communities and networks 🌺🐚

22/11/2025

This year, we celebrate Solomon Islands Language Week under the theme:
🌺 Protektim langguis an kalsa blong yumi – Protect our language and culture 🌺

The Solomon Islands is home to a rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and customs, with over 70 indigenous languages and dialects. While English is the official language, Solomon Islands Pidgin (Pijin) has become the everyday language that unites communities across the 900+ islands.

Pijin’s roots go back to the 19th century blackbirding era, when Melanesian peoples were brought to Fiji, Samoa, and Australia as indentured labourers. To communicate across nations, they adapted English, German, French, and Portuguese, creating a dynamic pidgin language. Despite its creole origins, Solomon Islands Pidgin has a rich grammar and vocabulary, reflecting the cultural diversity and resilience of its speakers.

Today, Pijin is more than a language — it is a symbol of unity, identity, and cultural pride. Celebrating Pacific languages is about honouring the journeys, stories, and traditions that shaped them.
💛🖤🤍 Lukim yu bihaen!

19/11/2025

Explore our Essence ECE, meet our team, discover our health and social services, and enjoy FREE food!
Everyone is welcome.

13/11/2025

Come on down and see us tonight 5-7pm 130 Sunset Road

10/11/2025

🌺FREE Afterhours Clinic

📅Thursday 13 November, 5–7pm

📍Essence of the Pacific Early learning Centre 130 Sunset Road, Rotorua



There are now 17 confirmed cases of measles in Aotearoa.

Measles spreads quickly and can be serious, especially for our young aiga and loved ones who are not fully vaccinated.

The best way to protect your aiga, whānau, and community is with the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella). Two doses after 12 months of age offers strong protection. If you’re not sure whether you or your children are covered, now is the time to check.

What You Need to Know About Measles

Measles is a serious and highly contagious illness that can affect babies, children, and adults. If you or your family have symptoms, please stay home and seek medical advice.

📞Call ahead before visiting your doctor or hauora provider so they can take steps to protect others.

📞You can also call Healthline for free any time on 0800 611 116.

👀Measles Symptoms to Look Out For:

▪️High fever (over 38°C) 🤒

▪️Cough, runny nose, and sore red eyes

▪️A rash that starts on the face and spreads down the body, lasting up to a week.

✅The MMR vaccine is free for anyone aged under 18, and for those eligible for free healthcare.

Protecting Yourself and Your ‘Āiga, Famili, Kāiga, Kōpū tāngata, Magafaoa, Matavuvale, Wantoks, Whānau

02/11/2025

Talofa lava, Mālō e lelei, Bula vinaka, Kia orāna, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Tālofa ni, Halo olgeta, Ni sa bula, Kam na mauri, Fakatalofa atu, Mauri, Ia orana, Noa’ia, Ran annim, Tālofa, Malo ni, Kia ora, Namaste and warm Pacific greetings, Rotorua,

A huge thank you to One Foundation Limited for sponsoring the Rotorua Pasifika Festival 2025, to Ngāti Whakaue for grounding us, to Her Worship the Mayor Tania Tapsell for her powerful opening of the festival, Regional Public Service Commissioner Ezra Schuster for his leadership, and community for their support.

We are so grateful to our incredible performers, and Rotorua schools:

Lynmore Primary School, Malfroy Primary School, Rotorua Primary School, St Mary’s Primary School, Ngongotahā Primary School, Te Pua Inano, Rotorua Tongan Community, Aotearoa Siva Afi, Talents of the Pacific Academy (T**A), Saintz UP Performing Arts and the Pasifika Secondary Schools Choir for their stunning harmonies as part of the opening ceremony.

Our closing headline act Signature Choir lit up the Village Green with pure Pasifika mana, lifting the crowd from the first note to a standing finish. Thank you for closing our 25th anniversary milestone as a Trust at the Festival. 💙

Special thank you to our Masters of Ceremonies, Li’amanaia and To’oto’oolemanino, and to Michael DjMike Maiuu & Philip Magasiva for keeping the energy high and the programme flowing all day. 🙌

Fakaaue lahi to our CEO Jacqueline Pointon, your vision made “Navigating wellbeing through culture and connection” real and this festival possible; meitaki ma‘ata, vinaka vakalevu.

Big love to everyone who came, performed, and volunteered, see you next year! ✨

27/10/2025

Mālo ni Tokelau!

This week we celebrate Tokelau Language Week / Te Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau – 26 October to 1 November. 🌺
This year’s theme: “Tokelau, Puaki mai ko tau aganuku mo fanau i te lumanaki”
“Tokelau, Unleash your culture for future generations”

Join us in honouring the language, stories and culture of Tokelauan people.

✅ Try one of these today:
Mālo ni! (Hello)
Fakafetai! (Thank you)
Tōfā! (Goodbye)
Let’s uplift, speak and share Gagana Tokelau together!

27/10/2025

Fa’afetai tele lava, Signature Choir 🎶 Honoured to have you with us for our Trust’s 25th anniversary celebration at the Rotorua Pasifika Festival 2025. We are excited for your showcase this Saturday at the Village Green. Fakamanuia lahi 🌺

We’re so excited to be performing at the Rotorua Pasifika Festival this Saturday! 🌺🎶

Make sure you come along & bring the whole fam - it’s gonna be a fun one! ⭐️

📆 Saturday 1 November
📍 Village Green Lakefront
⏰ 11AM - 5PM

26/10/2025