This month, Sir Collin Tukuitonga became one of only two professors of Niuean descent globally, joining his University of Auckland colleague, Professor of Pacific Health Vili Nosa. Niue, among the world’s smallest nations, has a population of fewer than 1,700 people.
Reflecting on his appointment, Sir Collin remarked, “I’m not a true-blue academic. I didn’t do a PhD and stay in the university forever. I gained a lot of practical experience elsewhere, so it’s nice to be accepted by my peers in academic medicine.”
Currently, Sir Collin serves as the director of Poutoko Ora a Kiwa – Centre for Pacific and Global Health at the University of Auckland. Knighted in 2022, his extensive career includes roles such as Chief Executive of the New Zealand Ministry of Pacific Affairs and developing a global strategy to improve diet and physical activity adopted by the World Health Organization in 2004.
Throughout his 45-year career, Sir Collin has been driven by a commitment to addressing health disparities affecting Pacific and Māori communities. He emphasized, “People with the means often get too much medicine and those who need it the most get the least. Those inequities stick out to me – Māori and Pacific people have poorer health and it’s entrenched.”
His formative years in Niue instilled a deep sense of community and social justice. At 15, he earned a scholarship to study medicine in Fiji, a key moment that shaped his future. After graduating in 1979, he practiced family medicine for about 15 years before transitioning to public health roles in New Zealand and internationally.
In December 2023, Sir Collin resigned as chairperson of Te Whatu Ora’s Pacific Senate, expressing concerns over the government’s direction. He stated, “I really don’t want to work for this government. I have no confidence. They are not going to treat Pacific people well and I want to be free to speak up and speak out.”
Now 67, Sir Collin continues to mentor young professionals at the University of Auckland and remains active in public health initiatives. He also dedicates time to environmental projects, such as developing and planting native trees on his family’s property near Pakiri.
