The Fono Family Day West Auckland

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT | THE FONO

Following a hugely successful event in South Auckland last December, The Fono Family Day West Auckland took over The Trusts Arena on 14 February for a day the community won't forget.

With over 1,700 registrations, it was our biggest event yet, and the atmosphere on the day matched every bit of that excitement. Free to attend and open to all, it brought people together from across West Auckland for health services, live entertainment, and plenty of community spirit.

35 checks, 275 new patients, 305 oral health conversations - showing the need for accessible dental care in our communities.

Our Medical Care team was kept busy, completing 352 general health checks, administering 254 immunisations, and connecting dozens of whānau with breast and bowel screening support.

Health and well-being were woven through the entire day. Families lined up for free dental checks, immunisations, and health screenings. On the day, the team delivered 254 immunisations, completed 352 general health checks and risk assessments, enrolled 275 new patients, and carried out 305 oral health education interactions. Across the day, 641 health services were delivered in total.

When you make mental health support approachable, people show up — 283 wellness checks and 128 appointments prove it.

Behind every referral is a family who needed more. 96 whānau were connected to the right support on the day.

Our Healthy Minds, Healthy Life, and Whānau Support teams were there talking to whānau about mental wellbeing, sharing information on healthy lifestyle programmes, and helping families understand the support available to them. NZ Police, Fire and Emergency NZ, and the NZ Defence Force were a crowd favourite, with tamariki trying on uniforms, climbing into vehicles, and getting a taste of what it means to serve their community.

The New Zealand Defence Force won the crowd over from the moment they arrived.

Future recruits? Our young (and older) audience loved trying on the gear at the New Zealand Police stand.

The energy never dropped. MCs JP Foliaki and Lyncia Muller kept the crowd buzzing all day, their humour, warmth, and natural chemistry making every moment on stage feel alive. The Youth Challenge was a standout, drawing huge support from the crowd as youth groups gave everything they had. Judged through a lens of Pacific values, the competition celebrated not just performance, but unity, cultural pride, and the strength of each group's health and wellbeing message. First place went to EFKS Te Atatu, with Nuuao Avondale Samoan Methodist Church taking second and Henderson Tongan Methodist Church coming in third.

MCs JP Foliaki and Lyncia Muller brought big energy

Whānau gathered to learn the art of ei katū, guided by the skilled hands of Pa Metua Super Gold Māmās.

Culture was celebrated beyond the stage too. Ei Katū Workshop offered whānau a beautiful hands-on experience, facilitated by Pa Metua Super Gold Māmās, while artist John Crouch brought creativity to life through a live art mural that will be proudly displayed at Oceania Careers Academy. Elsewhere on the floor, Pacific Kids Learning brought fun and education together, while GameTan kept the younger ones entertained with hands-on gaming activities.

Life with The Laveas

Our partners from Auckland Zoo kept kids entertained with their interactive conservation activities

None of it would have been possible without the people and organisations who showed up for our community. Our influencers, Life with The Laveas, Sis Home Cooks, Danni and Bruno, Sandra Halaholo, and JS Carvings, helped spread the word and brought their audiences along with genuine enthusiasm. Our sponsors Beds4U, BedsRus, Arena Fitness, Wolf's Gym Henderson, La Porchetta Henderson, Moana Pasifika, Kiwi Valley Farm Park, and Auckland Zoo each played a part in making the day what it was, with Auckland Zoo's interactive stand a particular highlight, drawing crowds of curious tamariki throughout the day. Their generosity and community commitment made a real difference.

Fa'afetai lava to everyone who came, contributed, and made this such a special day for our West Auckland community.