The Tongan Health Society Inc – A Summary

Within this section we will examine our history and our development to the present date. This section also identifies our community and the population that is served by the Society and its services.

The History of the Organisation

The idea, belief and principles underlying the establishment of a Tongan Health Centre in Auckland were the product of a community driven initiative. The philosophy of community development involved a lot of meetings, discussions and input from expatriates, health professionals, academics, Tongan community leaders and the community as a whole. The transformation of the Tongan Health Centre idea into a reality was the dream.

Through tireless effort, countless meetings and passion for the principle, a Working Group was established to look at the idea seriously. The first Annual General Meeting took place in November 1996. A Board of Directors was elected and the Constitution was submitted for incorporation. The Langimalie Health Centre of the Tonga Health Society Incorporated (THS) was registered as an incorporated society with charitable tax status. In March 1997 the proposal for funding was submitted to the Regional Health Authority and in November 1997 the revised proposal was accepted and a contract for funding was signed.

Hon. Fanetupouvava’u Tuita and the National Government - Minister of Health, Mr. Bill English (MP), officially opened the new Health Centre to the public on 8 December 1997. The new centre was located at 704 Great South Road, Penrose in Auckland.

At the outset, the only service offered was general practice, provided using the funding and resources available both from the Ministry of Health and the community. The extension of services of the Centre to other areas and community outreach health programmes were possible a year later. Despite all sort of difficulties, this expansion was made possible due to increasing demand from the community and coinciding with the long-term development programme of the Tongan Health Society.