John Natua

The Health of Cook Islands men in Tokoroa, New Zealand: a Case Study of Cook Islands men in Tokoroa John Natua

This study investigates the health of Cook Islands men in the township of Tokoroa, New Zealand. Cook Islands men first arrived in Tokoroa during the 1950s, with the opening of the local Kinleith Sawmill. A workforce was required for the growing timber industry thus waves of Cook Islands families flowed into the township over the subsequent decades. However, by the late 1980s, Kinleith had undergone significant restructuring consequently, ending low skilled labour predominantly occupied by Cook Islands men. Of the 1200 workers given redundancy, 800 were Cook Islands men. The event was to impact heavily on Cook Islands families in Tokoroa over the next decade, with families migrating out of the township in search of employment. Families remaining behind were now faced with the prospect of long term unemployment,and health issues resulting from their sedentary lifestyle - obesity, diabetes, depression and low self esteem. The study recommends Cook Islands men need to take on more responsibility of their health, and provide leadership within their families and communities.