Poli Mataafa is the Treasurer and Administrator of Grey Lynn Community Church, a Baptist church in Auckland.
“My wife Maria was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease nearly 20 years ago. Two of her brothers have also been diagnosed, one about 30 years ago. They’ve been living with it for a long time.
Having Parkinson’s can make people feel very isolated and lonely. They don’t want to go out to public places because of the nature of the disease.
I want people to know that Parkinson’s is only a disease. It doesn’t define you – we are God’s children. To live with it and care for someone who has it is a journey. Every day is a blessing from God.”
Due to a gene variant called PINK1 carried in the Pasifica population, many Pasifica people get early onset Parkinson’s, often living for decades with the disease.
Poli is helping facilitate the Pacifica Parkinson’s Awareness lunch in Auckland on Friday, 26 July 2025, an event which aims to raise awareness of the disease and reduce its stigma. The tagline Together we are strong refers to the sense of isolation so often experienced by those diagnosed with the disease.
Film director Toa Fraser (No. 2, The Deadlands) will talk about his experiences of living with young-onset Parkinson’s disease, and neurologist Dr Shilpan Patel will share his knowledge on the disease in the Pacific.
Fundraising
The event is free, but there are still a few major costs to be covered:
· $2,500 for lunch
· $610 for photography and poster production
· $280 for T-shirts for committee members
To donate and help keep this event free, please contact Dr Christina Buchanan [email protected]
Event details
Register here for the free event (includes lunch)
Time: 10am – 2pm
Date: Friday 26 July 2025
Venue: Lotofale’la Tongan Methodist Church 34 Orly Avenue, Mangere, Auckland
Photo by Narelle Pierce, Shore Photography, supplied by Poli Mataafa.
