Our Research
In Fiji, the idea of solesolevaki – coming together to work towards a shared goal – has always been a cornerstone of community life. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this sense of unity helped communities pull together as the health system faced some of its toughest challenges. The pandemic exposed years of neglect in the health sector, but it also offered a chance to rethink how the system could be made stronger and more prepared for future crises.
Meet the team
Dr Sharon
McLennan
Principal Investigator
Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington
DR akisi
Ravono
Associate Investigator
University of Fiji
Dr Apisalome
Movono
Associate Investigator
The University of the South Pacific (USP)
Dr Johanna
Thomas-Maude
Postdoctoral Fellow
Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington
Avendra
Prakash
PhD Student
Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington
Patrick
Tamaicakai
Masters Student
Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington
Latest News
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Fieldwork
In March and April this year, our team returned to Fiji to continue our ongoing programme of research, and were reminded that research in the real world rarely goes exactly to plan. Cyclone Vaianu disrupted travel schedules, the team navigated illness and injury, flight delays and technical hiccups. Some planned Talanoa sessions had to be postponed, requiring constant adjustment and flexibility. While challenging, these experiences also mirrored many of the themes emerging in our research — adaptability, resilience, and the importance of relationships. Back in the Field Our Fiji fieldwork began in March as Avendra and Patrick started data collection…
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An Indigenous perspective on complex systems at the Capital City Complex Cities Symposium
In February Sharon presented on behalf of the team at the Capital Cities Complex Systems Symposium in Wellington. This was a very diverse conference, with theoretical perspectives on complexity and practical applications, and examples drawn from health, climate and environment, infrastructure, education, artificial intelligence and more. Sharon’s presentation highlighted the Magimagi framework, which conceptualises the diverse components of the health system as strands woven into a rope. This metaphor highlights the strength created through interconnection and offers a more holistic way of understanding health systems, bringing attention to relationships and other elements that are often overlooked in conventional models (see…
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Congratulations Avendra – PhD registration confirmed
Today was a landmark day for PhD student, Avendra Prakash, who presented his research publicly for the first time and faced a panel assessment of his proposal. Avendra’s research will investigate how graduates of the Bachelor of Public Health degree in Fiji can be strategically integrated into Fiji’s health system to strengthen resilience, particularly in the context of public health emergencies such as COVID-19, HIV/AIDS, and other communicable and non-communicable disease outbreaks. Today’s meeting and presentation (known as confirmation at some universities) is an important step in the PhD process. It must be completed within 8-12 months of provisional registration,…
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Celebrating Pacific Health Research at PIHRS 2025
Last week Sharon, Akisi, Avendra and Patrick joined researchers, health workers, and students from across the region at the Pacific Islands Health Research Symposium (PIHRS) 2025, hosted at Fiji National University’s Nasinu campus. The symposium, held alongside the 140th anniversary of the Fiji School of Medicine, was a chance to celebrate Pacific research excellence and to share ideas about how we can build healthier futures for our communities. Across three packed days, we heard from inspiring keynote speakers and joined discussions on some of the most important issues facing the Pacific: non-communicable diseases, antimicrobial resistance, sexual and reproductive health, planetary…
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Welcome to Te Herenga Waka
The research team, from left to right: Dr Johanna Thomas-Maude, Mr Patrick Tamaicakai, (Masters student), Dr Sharon McLennan, and Mr Avendra Prakash (PhD Student) and Dr Akisi Ravono, In August the team (minus Dr Api) convened in Wellington at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) for workshops and discussion. During this time, we welcomed Dr Akisi, who joined as a VUW adjunct, and Patrick Tamaicakai, who is starting his Master’s degree. During the two weeks Akisi was in Wellington we were able to work on analysis of the data collected so far, future fieldwork design, and publication plans. Akisi…
Exploring Fijian Health System Resilience 