From a lively Zumba class to free blood pressure checks, there was plenty to draw the crowds at the Your Health Matters event held in Māngere Town Centre on Saturday. 

The free family event, supported by Local Doctors in association with Tāmaki Health and Total Healthcare, included live entertainment from Tatau Dance Academy, Alofa Tunoa Fellowship Youth Church and Zumba Swags, as well as a speech from the Minister for Pacific Peoples and Associate Minister of Health (Pacific Peoples) Hon Aupito William Sio.

Hon Sio shared key messages about vaccinations with the crowd, encouraging people to protect themselves and their whānau against COVID-19, MMR and flu. 


Members of the Local Doctors team were also on site offering free blood pressure checks, as well as key information about health topics like vaccinations, gout, smoking cessation and maternity services. 

“The response from the community was really great,” says Total Healthcare Community Liaison Manager Lorenzo Kaisara, who organised and hosted the event.

“Having a free blood pressure checking station was a real drawcard and was utilised well by the community, but 90% of people stayed for the full event.” 

He said that having Minister Sio attend was another highlight. “There’s no better source to provide health information to our people. He thanked us for bringing the event to where vulnerable members of the community are.” 


In a follow-up post on Facebook, The Māngere electorate MP said he was “standing in solidarity with Lorenzo Kaisara, Tāmaki Health, Total Healthcare and all their partners and staff to promote the "year of the vaccine" to the people of Māngere. 

“Vaccines protect us. Vaccines are safe and prevent us from getting ill from the COVID-19 virus, measles, mumps and rubella and the flu... Get vaccinated when you're called up to protect yourself, your families, our communities, and the rest of New Zealand and our Pacific region.”