Voyaging from Pilot to Sustainability

Celebrate the journey from PSHLP to Ora‘anga Tūmanava

In 2012, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) connected the Cook Islands and Tongan Governments with the University of Auckland’s Liggins Institute through common threads of interest around non-communicable diseases (NCDs), school-based learning exploring current issues, and investing in adolescents to improve health in the next generation. The groups met and shared their journeys – challenges, successes and dreams. Emerging from six-months of talanoa, a proposal to build the Pacific Science for Health Literacy Project (PSHLP) was codesigned and presented to MFAT by the partners.

This booklet shares the story of PSHLP and its evolution into Ora‘anga Tūmanava, a locally-led, sustainable framework that now anchors the Cook Islands’ education–health–science partnership. What began as a pilot project has grown into a nationally embedded practice, grounded in community values and framed by strong partnerships.

At its heart, PSHLP is a story of codesign that weaves together knowledge from health professionals, educators, scientists, young people, and communities. Guided by the Tivaevae framework, PSHLP draws on local, cultural, educational, health and scientific knowledge to design and stitch programmes for adolescents, parents, teachers, health staff and the community. Using Appreciative Inquiry the journey honours what works, strengthens what matters, and keeps the focus on collective wellbeing.

Sharing stories encourages people to explore their own and other perspectives, ask questions, and contribute positive actions to address challenges and empower communities. Along its journey, PSHLP has generated practical tools, case studies, and locally developed resources, supporting young people to build health and scientific literacy, and grow into critically engaged citizens.

This booklet traces the voyage of PSHLP from pilot to sustainable practice, highlighting the enablers of scale, the outcomes achieved, and the pathways forward. It captures key learnings and celebrates the enduring collaboration that has made Ora‘anga Tūmanava not only a model for sustainable development, but a uniquely Cook Islands expression of resilience, innovation, and shared leadership.