Our
History

Yellow flower with a brown center
A yellow flower with five petals and a brown center.

We started in 2007 to support Pasifika Communities with Injury Prevention, Health & Safety and Wellbeing.

Initially, Puataunofo was made up of representatives from key stakeholder groups including DoL (lead agency), Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), Manukau City Council, the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (CTU), Komiti Pasefika, EPMU and the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs (MPIA).

We became an Incorporated Society in 2009 with members from across Aotearoa representing our Pacific Island Nations.

Formerly Pasifika Injury Prevention Aukilana(PIPA) we have changed our name to Pasifika Injury Prevention Aotearoa (PIPA) Puataunofo, to highlight our reach across Aotearoa, New Zealand and our intention to be a beacon and system leader for all Pasifika nations.

Today, we are 18 years still going and are still committed to our Tangata Pasifika, our foundation members are still going strong for the cause which is our solid backbone in providing sound advice and meaningful engagement resources to help you engage Pasifika people, worker, communities into Safety in their work and behaviour, ensuring accountability for Healthy work environments, and responsive wellbeing models we are familiar with.

KEY MILESTONES

KEY MILESTONES

  • A yellow flower with orange and red center, and the words "PUATAUNOFO COME HOME SAFELY" beneath it.

    2007

    Puataunofo begins

  • Group of five adults wearing Hawaiian leis, standing indoors at a conference or meeting.

    2009

    Puataunofo, Best Initiative to Encourage Engagement in Health and Safety, Judges’ Award, NZ Workplace Health and Safety Awards

  • Three men at a safety awareness event, two standing on either side and one sitting on the ground in front. They are wearing Pacific Islander-style patterned shirts and skirts, and are outdoors with a tent and safety banner behind them. The banner features a woman in a safety vest and the message 'HOWEVER YOU SAY IT, BE A SAFE GUY'

    2012

    Puataunofo, Best Leadership of an Industry Sector Award, NZ Workplace Health and Safety Awards

  • 2014

    PIPA led the change to Auckland’s Navigational Safety Bylaw (2014) for the compulsory wearing of lifejackets on boats under 6m, in response to Pacific drownings. PIPA changed Auckland Council’s bylaw process and bylaw engagement process to include Pasifika voices

  • A man giving a presentation in a conference room with banners behind him and a flat screen on the wall.

    2018

    WorkSafe NZ formally adopts our Puataunofo programme into their suite of interventions - the Puataunofo Come Home Safely programme becomes the first and only external Regulatory Intervention programme

  • Group of diverse people standing together in an office with a sign that reads 'Pacific' behind them.

    2019

    Worksafe NZ establish the “PSLG” Puataunofo Strategic Leadership Group - their function is to advise and offer strategic insight into WorksafeNZs response to Pacific workers across Aotearoa.

    The PSLG has four PIPA members in this group.

  • A woman with curly hair wearing a black blazer and floral dress, standing in front of promotional banners for Fallo'a Famili and 21 Day Life. On a table in front of her are stacks of magazines or brochures.

    2025

    The passing of our beloved PIPA Chair “Karen Daniels”

    A strong advocate for PIPAs cause and champion for Health, Safety and in particular Wellbeing for our Pacific people.

    We love and honour Karen and will continue her legacy in our mahi

    Rest in Love Karen 13 Feb 2025.

  • Three people standing indoors, one holding a framed certificate, with tropical plants on both sides and light curtains in the background

    2025

    Our faithful and humble Hans Key is awarded the Kings Service Medal(KSM) for services to health and safety and Pacific communities for over 27+ years.

Think PIPA Puataunofo might be a good fit for your business? We’d love to hear from you!

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