# Collin Tukuitonga

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Niuean-born New Zealand public health doctor and academic

Sir Collin Tukuitonga KNZM, FRNZCGP, FNZCPHM Tukuitonga in 2011 Academic background Education University of Sydney (MPH) University of the South Pacific (MBBS) Academic work Discipline Public Health scholar Institutions University of Auckland World Health Organization Ministry of Health (New Zealand)

**Sir Collin Fonotau Tukuitonga** [KNZM](/source/Knight_Companion_of_the_New_Zealand_Order_of_Merit) (born 1957 or 1958)[1] is a Niuean-born [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand) doctor, [public health](/source/Public_health) academic, public policy expert and advocate for reducing health inequalities of [Māori](/source/M%C4%81ori_people) and Pasifika people. He has held several positions in public health and government in New Zealand and internationally.

## Early life and education

Tukuitonga was born and raised in [Niue](/source/Niue). He completed his medical degree in [Fiji](/source/Fiji), followed by a master's degree in public health in [Sydney](/source/Sydney).[2]

### Name

Tukuitonga's first name was spelt 'Colin' for many years but as of 2022 he reverted to its original spelling with a double 'l'.[2]

## Career

Tukuitonga was Chief Executive of the [Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs](/source/Ministry_of_Pacific_Island_Affairs), Director of Public Health for the [Ministry of Health](/source/Ministry_of_Health_(New_Zealand)) and also Coordinator of Surveillance of Noncommunicable Diseases for the [World Health Organization](/source/World_Health_Organization) (WHO) based in [Geneva](/source/Geneva).[3] From 2014 to 2020 he was Director-General of the Secretariat of the [Pacific Community](/source/Pacific_Community).[4] In 2018 he was nominated by the New Zealand government to be the Regional Director of the Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organization however he did not gain the position.[5]

In 2020 Tukuitonga was appointed as inaugural Associate Dean Pacific at the Health and Medical Sciences faculty of the [University of Auckland](/source/University_of_Auckland).[6]

In November 2022 he was appointed for a three year term on the Public Health Advisory Committee (PHAC); the PHAC provides public health advice to government and the Minister of Health.[7]

In 2023, Tukuitonga was appointed a Fellow of the [International Science Council](/source/International_Science_Council) for his contributions to Pacific health.[8]

In December 2023, Tukuitonga resigned as chairperson of [Te Whatu Ora](/source/Te_Whatu_Ora)'s Pacific Senate, citing his disagreement with the incoming [Sixth National Government](/source/Sixth_National_Government_of_New_Zealand)'s scrapping of the [Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act 2022](/source/Smokefree_Environments_and_Regulated_Products_(Smoked_Tobacco)_Amendment_Act_2022) and [Te Aka Whai Ora](/source/Te_Aka_Whai_Ora) (Māori Health Authority). He said that: "I really don't want to work for this government. I have no confidence. They are not going to treat [Pacific people](/source/Pasifika_New_Zealanders) well and I want to be free to speak up and speak out." In addition, Tukuitonga stepped down from several other government advisory groups.[9]

in June 2024, [Te Ao Māori News](/source/Whakaata_M%C4%81ori) reported that Tukuitonga would take up a new role as chairperson of the [World Health Organization](/source/World_Health_Organization)'s Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (STAG-NCD).[10]

Tukuitonga's investiture as a [Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit](/source/Knight_Companion_of_the_New_Zealand_Order_of_Merit) by the governor-general, [Dame Cindy Kiro](/source/Cindy_Kiro), at [Government House, Auckland](/source/Government_House%2C_Auckland), on 26 August 2022

## Honours and awards

Tukuitonga was appointed a [Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit](/source/Knight_Companion_of_the_New_Zealand_Order_of_Merit), for services to Pacific and public health, in the [2022 Queen's Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours](/source/2022_Birthday_Honours_(New_Zealand)).[11]

## Selected publications

- Tukuitonga, Collin (1 October 1996). "Sudden infant death syndrome in Pacific Islands infants in Auckland". *[The New Zealand Medical Journal](/source/The_New_Zealand_Medical_Journal)*. **109** (1031): 388. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0028-8446](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0028-8446). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [8890883](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8890883). [Wikidata](/source/WDQ_(identifier)) [Q71724682](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q71724682).

- Lawes, Carlene; Tukuitonga, Collin; Scragg, Robert (1 September 1999). "The epidemiology of breast cancer in Pacific women in New Zealand". *[The New Zealand Medical Journal](/source/The_New_Zealand_Medical_Journal)*. **112** (1096): 354–357. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0028-8446](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0028-8446). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [10587053](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10587053). [Wikidata](/source/WDQ_(identifier)) [Q73247219](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73247219).

- Pryor, Jan; Finau, Sitaleki; Tukuitonga, Collin (1 September 2000). "Pacific Health Research Council: health research by and for Pacificans". *Pacific health dialog : a publication of the Pacific Basin Officers Training Program and the Fiji School of Medicine*. **7** (2): 115–117. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1015-7867](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1015-7867). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [11588912](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11588912). [Wikidata](/source/WDQ_(identifier)) [Q74597344](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q74597344).

- Tukuitonga, Collin; Bell, Sharon; Robinson, Elizabeth (1 August 2000). "Hospial admission among Pacific children Auckland 1992-97". *[The New Zealand Medical Journal](/source/The_New_Zealand_Medical_Journal)*. **113** (1116): 358–361. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0028-8446](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0028-8446). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [11130369](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11130369). [Wikidata](/source/WDQ_(identifier)) [Q73328251](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73328251).

- Tukuitonga, Collin (1 December 2001). "Meningococcal vaccine". *[The New Zealand Medical Journal](/source/The_New_Zealand_Medical_Journal)*. **114** (1145): 557. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0028-8446](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0028-8446). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [11833953](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11833953). [Wikidata](/source/WDQ_(identifier)) [Q77611593](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q77611593).

- Finau, Sitaleki; Tukuitonga, Collin (1 March 2001). "Cancer in Niue: analysis of a cancer register 1962-1985". *Pacific health dialog : a publication of the Pacific Basin Officers Training Program and the Fiji School of Medicine*. **8** (1): 94–98. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1015-7867](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1015-7867). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [12017844](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12017844). [Wikidata](/source/WDQ_(identifier)) [Q43434758](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43434758).

- Wilson, Nick; Borland, Ron; Edwards, Richard; Tukuitonga, Collin (30 November 2007). "Tobacco-free countries: could Pacific Island countries lead the way?". *[The New Zealand Medical Journal](/source/The_New_Zealand_Medical_Journal)*. **120** (1266): U2845. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0028-8446](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0028-8446). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [18264212](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18264212). [Wikidata](/source/WDQ_(identifier)) [Q80671186](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q80671186).

- Tukuitonga, Collin (1 September 2011). "A few words on the Pacific Islands Families Study". *Pacific health dialog : a publication of the Pacific Basin Officers Training Program and the Fiji School of Medicine*. **17** (2): 209. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1015-7867](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1015-7867). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [22675818](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22675818). [Wikidata](/source/WDQ_(identifier)) [Q84319697](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q84319697).

- [Leao Talalelei Tuitama](/source/Tuitama_Talalelei_Tuitama); Shin Young-Soo; [Clark, Helen](/source/Helen_Clark); Tukuitonga, Collin; [Beaglehole, Robert](/source/Robert_Beaglehole) (21 November 2014). ["Acting on the Pacific crisis in non-communicable diseases"](https://api.elsevier.com/content/article/PII:S0140673614618249?httpAccept=text/xml). *[The Lancet](/source/The_Lancet)*. **384** (9957): 1823–1824. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/S0140-6736(14)61824-9](https://doi.org/10.1016%2FS0140-6736%2814%2961824-9). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0140-6736](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0140-6736). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [25457906](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25457906). [Wikidata](/source/WDQ_(identifier)) [Q41628336](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q41628336).

- Tukuitonga, Collin (6 December 2018). "Interview with Dr Colin Tukuitonga: from crisis to action in Pacific communities". *Public health research & practice*. **28** (4). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.17061/PHRP2841827](https://doi.org/10.17061%2FPHRP2841827). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [2204-2091](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2204-2091). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [30652187](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30652187). [Wikidata](/source/WDQ_(identifier)) [Q91083638](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q91083638).

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** "Health boss wins top research job". *[The Dominion Post](/source/The_Dominion_Post_(Wellington))*. 31 July 2003. p. 2.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_2-1) Husband, Dale (25 July 2020). ["Collin Tukuitonga: Looking after our people"](https://e-tangata.co.nz/korero/collin-tukuitonga-looking-after-our-people/). *E-Tangata*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220628235035/https://e-tangata.co.nz/korero/collin-tukuitonga-looking-after-our-people/) from the original on 28 June 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Collin Tukuitonga"](https://theconversation.com/profiles/collin-tukuitonga-1272840). *The Conversation*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220605222358/https://theconversation.com/profiles/collin-tukuitonga-1272840) from the original on 5 June 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Colin Tukuitonga"](https://www.spc.int/people/colin-tukuitonga). *The Pacific Community*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220605221506/https://www.spc.int/people/colin-tukuitonga) from the original on 5 June 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Dr Colin Tukuitonga"](https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/dr-colin-tukuitonga). *The Beehive*. 9 October 2018. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220519145126/https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/dr-colin-tukuitonga) from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Outgoing SPC head to take on new role at Auckland University"](https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/404276/outgoing-spc-head-to-take-on-new-role-at-auckland-university). *[RNZ](/source/RNZ)*. 27 November 2019. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220605220332/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/404276/outgoing-spc-head-to-take-on-new-role-at-auckland-university) from the original on 5 June 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["About the committee: the role of PHAC"](https://www.health.govt.nz/new-zealand-health-system/key-health-sector-organisations-and-people/ministerial-health-committees/public-health-advisory-committee/about-committee). *Ministry of Health NZ*. Retrieved 11 May 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Sir Collin Tukuitonga appointed as a Fellow for the International Science Council | PMAGroup"](https://pmagroup.org.nz/updates/sir-collin-tukuitonga-appointed-as-a-fellow-for-the-international-science-council). *pmagroup.org.nz*. Retrieved 27 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Foon, Eleisha (11 December 2023). ["Sir Collin Tukuitonga resigns from NZ government roles, citing 'no confidence'"](https://web.archive.org/web/20231211111507/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/504474/sir-collin-tukuitonga-resigns-from-nz-government-roles-citing-no-confidence). *[Radio New Zealand](/source/Radio_New_Zealand)*. Archived from [the original](https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/504474/sir-collin-tukuitonga-resigns-from-nz-government-roles-citing-no-confidence) on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Perese, Daniel; Panapa, Maioha (11 June 2024). ["Sir Collin Tukuitonga joins WHO after leaving Health NZ over "no confidence" in government"](https://web.archive.org/web/20240611103455/https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2024/06/11/sir-collin-tukuitonga-joins-who-after-leaving-health-nz-over-no-confidence-in-government/). *Te Ao Māori News*. [Whakaata Māori](/source/Whakaata_M%C4%81ori). Archived from [the original](https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2024/06/11/sir-collin-tukuitonga-joins-who-after-leaving-health-nz-over-no-confidence-in-government/) on 11 June 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["The Queen's Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours List 2022"](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/the-queens-birthday-and-platinum-jubilee-honours-list-2022/W53HWSV4TI7DGRF66KXQCTHB34/). *[The New Zealand Herald](/source/The_New_Zealand_Herald)*. 6 June 2022. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220606054241/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/the-queens-birthday-and-platinum-jubilee-honours-list-2022/W53HWSV4TI7DGRF66KXQCTHB34/) from the original on 6 June 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2022.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Collin Tukuitonga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collin_Tukuitonga) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collin_Tukuitonga?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.