Dr Leinani Aiono-Le Tagaloa
Pain Specialist, The Auckland Regional Pain Service & Anaesthetist, Auckland Hospital, NZ
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I was born and brought up in Samoa (previously Western Samoa) and came to New Zealand to study medicine at age 18. I spent four years in surgical training after graduating before switching to anaesthesia. I qualified as an anaesthetist (FANZCA) in 2005 and went overseas to the US for an obstetric anaesthesia fellowship at Stanford University, followed by three years as Assistant Professor at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. I returned to New Zealand in 2012. In 2014, I officially began my career in Pain Medicine with a fellowship at The Auckland Regional Pain Service. I completed my qualification in pain medicine (FFPMANZCA) in April 2016 and currently I split my work week between chronic pain at The Auckland Regional Pain Service and Anaesthesia at Auckland Hospital. |
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I have been a member of the New Zealand National Committee for ANZCA, and. in 2022 I became a board member for the Faculty of Pain Medicine. This year I was elected as the Vice Dean for the Faculty of Pain Medicine.
I am a passionate advocate for promoting opportunities for our Pacific doctors in specialty training. Because of this I helped to found Pasifika Anaesthesia in Aotearoa (PAiA), and we have seen the inclusion of the special relationship with Pacific peoples in the ANZCA constitution.
I am a Samoan chief and an active participant in my aiga.
I am a passionate advocate for promoting opportunities for our Pacific doctors in specialty training. Because of this I helped to found Pasifika Anaesthesia in Aotearoa (PAiA), and we have seen the inclusion of the special relationship with Pacific peoples in the ANZCA constitution.
I am a Samoan chief and an active participant in my aiga.
My Journey as a Pain Practitioner: Achieving Equity for Tangata Whenua and Pacific Peoples
Chronic pain affects every part of a person’s life, but for Tangata Whenua (Māori) and Pacific Peoples, it’s often accompanied by systemic inequities that compound the burden. As a pain practitioner, my journey has been one of learning, listening, and growing to better support those who are most underserved in our healthcare system.
In this talk, I’ll share the personal and professional experiences that have shaped me as a person. From moments of deep connection with patients and their whānau to the times I’ve confronted the limitations of mainstream healthcare, these stories have taught me the importance of whakawhanaungatanga (relationship building) and culturally centered care.
Working in partnership with Māori and Pacific Peoples has challenged me to think differently about pain and healing—acknowledging the role of culture, identity, and spirituality in the journey to wellness. I’ll reflect on the lessons I’ve learned, the mistakes I’ve made, and the steps I’ve taken to align my practice with the values of equity and inclusion.
Together, we’ll consider how we, as practitioners, can continue to grow and work toward a system that truly serves all people with dignity and respect.
In this talk, I’ll share the personal and professional experiences that have shaped me as a person. From moments of deep connection with patients and their whānau to the times I’ve confronted the limitations of mainstream healthcare, these stories have taught me the importance of whakawhanaungatanga (relationship building) and culturally centered care.
Working in partnership with Māori and Pacific Peoples has challenged me to think differently about pain and healing—acknowledging the role of culture, identity, and spirituality in the journey to wellness. I’ll reflect on the lessons I’ve learned, the mistakes I’ve made, and the steps I’ve taken to align my practice with the values of equity and inclusion.
Together, we’ll consider how we, as practitioners, can continue to grow and work toward a system that truly serves all people with dignity and respect.
