1st Pacific person, Dr. Saia Ma'u Piukala, assumes WHO Regional Director role for the Western Pacific; visit to NZ, seminar at University of Auckland.

WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr. Saia Ma'u Piukala, becomes the first Pacific person to hold the role. He will visit New Zealand and attend a seminar at the University of Auckland on July 17th. Dr. Piukala, a Tongan surgeon and former Minister of Health in Tonga, has long championed initiatives on chronic diseases and safe surgery. He will discuss his vision for the region during his visit.