Long-term relationships and practical science enable sustainable, country-led change in the Pacific Islands.
Pacific Island nations are building stronger health, environmental and forensic systems with support from the New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (PHF Science), their trusted science partner of more than 20 years.
Resilient systems are crucial for protecting Pacific populations from disasters, climate change, and disease outbreaks. Strong Pacific Island health and safety systems are also important to the 9 per cent of New Zealanders with whānau in the Pacific, and all those who value the Pacific Islands as travel destinations.
Much of the work PHF Science undertakes in Aotearoa New Zealand is later translated to Pacific contexts through a country-led partnership model that adapts systems and practices to fit the specific context and cultures of each island.
“Key to all the work we do is our ability to develop and maintain trusted relationships,” says Heidi Baker, PHF Science’s forensic science liaison. “Our job is to make sure the right people have a seat at the table, and to listen to them.”
These collaborative relationships enable science implementation across multiple domains – health, environmental, social, cultural, economic and technological – and align with New Zealand Aid Programme priorities for health, water, sanitation, hygiene, and climate resilience.
The results span the entire Pacific region. Three examples illustrate this impact: community health in Vanuatu, policy development in Tonga, and justice improvements in Fiji.
In Vanuatu, PHF Science supported the Department of Water Resources to develop a national water safety implementation plan that was an internationally recognised success. The plan improves community access to water and sanitation, and empowers communities to improve and build well-managed water systems. An associated capital assistance plan helps connect communities to national and UN funding mechanisms.
Vanuatu is now “held up as one of the biggest success stories in the Pacific around how water systems can be really well managed,” says Matt Ashworth, team leader for Pacific environment and health.
In Tonga, PHF Science supported the development of the Kingdom's first comprehensive water security plan, completed in late 2024. The plan includes 13 recommendations for managing water resources through the entire cycle, from rainfall to waste. It was developed collaboratively with Tonga’s whole water sector to ensure measures could be embedded within local systems.
The work included developing an information management system that collects underpinning data, so future decisions can be made with good evidence. “This gives the power to the country to implement and monitor the effectiveness of interventions,” says Ashworth. Elements of the information management system are being used in Palau and adapted for Kiribati.
Improved water security and safety have many benefits for people in Vanuatu, Tonga, Palau and Kiribati: better health through reduced waterborne illness, improved education as children miss less school due to sickness, and providing adequate water for community, health, environmental and economic security.
In Fiji, PHF Science is helping build forensic science capacity to address evolving community safety concerns, with collaboration spanning the entire justice system: police, prosecutors, defence lawyers, medical assault examinations, even the Human Rights Commission.
One five-year programme addressed the impacts of drug trafficking through Fiji. PHF Science helped Fiji Police expand testing for a broader range of drugs at the border, and increased the capability of Fiji’s forensic drug analysis laboratory to deliver reliable and timely results.
A new project aims to reduce the incidence rate of gender-based harm and support victims of sexual assault in Fiji. PHF Science staff are helping develop medical examination processes and expanding DNA testing capabilities in ways that are culturally appropriate.
Margaret Marshall, senior superintendent and director forensic of the Fiji Police Force, says PHF Science’s advice, training, and technical assistance “have played a significant role in enhancing the quality and professionalism of our services”.
“The collaboration with PHF Science has not only built our technical competencies but has also fostered a culture of scientific integrity and continuous improvement within our team. It has been a privilege to work alongside experts who are committed to the advancement of forensic science across the region.”
The connecting thread across these Pacific initiatives is PHF Science’s commitment to building and maintaining trusted relationships. “The relationships we hold carry on regardless of whether we have projects or not,” says Baker. That means when needs arise, PHF Science can quickly respond as a collaborative problem-solving partner that can help Pacific Island nations create changes that continue long after individual projects end.
Learn more about our work in the Pacific
PHF Science has been working with Pacific Island nations for more than twenty years, assisting the region with scientific expertise, information and tools to strengthen policy, programmes and practice to support healthy, safe and resilient communities.