A Ministry of Health delegation, including the minister and chief executive officer were reported to be in New Zealand to observe health services in Waitaki.

The Ministry of Health Samoa delegation included Minister for Health Va'aaoao Salumalo Alofipo, director-general Scanlan Lui, deputy director-general for public health Tagaloa Dr Robert Thomsen, nurse consultant Fauatea Henry Taylor and principal nurse Falelua Maua, and human resources assistant chief executive officer Lily Vaiotu-Leauga.

The delegation is being hosted by the Oamaru Pacific Island Trust (Opit).

According to reports, they were in the Waitaki for a chance to observe the district’s scope of health services to assess cross-cultural work and healthcare opportunities for Pasifika people.

Waitaki District is a territorial authority district in the Canterbury and Otago regions of the South Island of New Zealand.

Opit chairwoman Hana Fanene-Taiti told the Otago Daily Times that the visitors would engage directly with the trust, observing rural primary care delivery models in practice through Opit’s Pacific Outreach Service, Oamaru Hospital and local clinics such as Te Hāo Maru, including wellbeing-focused services and aged›care facilities, over two days.

She said the visit was a chance for the delegation to ‘‘explore the supervision, mentoring and integration mechanisms’’ of the organisations and to assess opportunities for future New Zealand to Samoa, and vice versa, work placements and healthcare opportunities in both countries.

‘‘We feel very humbled and honoured that they chose Waitaki for this visit, and the Oamaru Pacific Island Trust was proud to be hosting the delegates this week.’’