Pacific doctoral graduate championing Pacific families in hearing health

Dr Linda Palavi crossed the stage to receive her doctoral degree in Population Health from Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, dedicating her thesis to her young nieces and nephew.

She graduated 9 December at the Auckland Town Hall with her family cheering on including nieces Cleo and Ivory, and nephew Aries.

“I’m just grateful my family is here, this wasn’t a journey I did alone, I’m grateful my village is here as well, and I’m so relieved to be here.”

Dr Palavi’s research focuses on the vital role of Pacific parents in the healthcare of their children, particularly in hearing health, an area where inequities persist. It exposes critical gaps in services for Pacific families, revealing that many systems fail to be family-centred and culturally responsive. Her findings call for approaches that empower parents as advocates for their children.

“Parents know their children best,” she says. “Services must create pathways that reflect this.”

Her study highlights how poverty, stigma and cultural values influence parental engagement, with family dynamics - especially women’s roles - shaping how hearing loss is managed. Palavi hopes her work amplifies Pacific voices and drives service improvements so families are able to better navigate the health system with confidence.

“I want this research to empower Pacific families and reduce inequities in hearing health outcomes,” she says.

Palavi's academic path began in central Auckland, where she was raised by her parents Tuiaki and Seiola Heleta-Palavi, alongside her three brothers: Daniel, John and Kenrick.

She was encouraged by Professor Vili Nosa - first as her lecturer and later PhD supervisor - during the final year of her Bachelor of Health Science.

“I wasn’t convinced at first,” she admits about pursuing postgraduate study. “But Vili believed in me and reminded me that research could be a vessel for equity for our people.”

That encouragement led to completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health, where she discovered her passion for understanding health systems and the role research plays in improving outcomes.

“I did my Master of Public Health where I found the value of being Pacific and using research to improve health equity,” she says.

Surrounded by Pacific research trailblazers, Palavi realised a PhD was not only possible but a powerful step toward making a difference. She was proud to achieve her personal goal of completing the research within the minimum timeframe.

“My supervisors were incredibly supportive in helping me achieve my goal of finishing in three years. It was a personal challenge - I’d already been here for about a decade, so I knew I couldn’t prolong it any longer.”

During her doctoral journey she also published ‘A scoping review on the nature of parental involvement among Pacific and minority populations with hearing loss’ alongside Dr Elizabeth Holt and Professor Vili Nosa in the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand last year. The review explores this under-researched area, offering fresh insights for improving health service delivery in Aotearoa.

Palavi acknowledges the guidance and support from her PhD supervisors, Professor Nosa and Dr Holt throughout her doctoral journey.

“They have been amazing mentors and have continued to support me in solidifying my place and voice within the research space,” she says.

She also acknowledged clinical advisors Dr Renee Hislop and Dr Michelle Pokorny for welcoming her into the hearing health space and supporting her research among Pacific children in Counties Manukau.

Family: the heart of her success

Palavi credits her achievement to her Tongan family, hailing from the villages of Kolofo’ou and Kolomotu’a in Nuku’alofa.

“What I’ve achieved is a testament to my faith and the village behind me,” she says. “My parents, Tuiaki and Seiola Heleta-Palavi, and my brothers Daniel, John, and Kenrick have been my unwavering support. They carried me through every stage of this journey.”

She dedicated her thesis to her nieces Cleo and Ivory and nephew Aries:

“I want them to know that anything is possible.”

Her family’s pride is evident with a small celebration - a gathering of around 100 people taking place to honour her outstanding achievement.

“For us, that’s considered small,” Palavi laughs. “In other families, that would be huge, but in a Tongan context, it’s modest. My mum has been a trooper planning everything. This graduation is as much for them as it is for me.”

Looking Ahead

Now working as a Research Fellow under Professor Nosa, Palavi continues to champion Pacific health equity. She is balancing her expertise in audiology with broader projects in Pacific health, aiming to improve services and strengthen parental involvement.

“My hope is that this research will empower Pacific families and amplify their voices in health systems - not just in hearing health, but across all areas of care,” she says.

“I want to see a future where Pacific parents feel confident, supported and heard.”