Dr Viliami Puloka is a Research Fellow in the Health Promotion and Policy Research Unit, Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington. He is also a Senior Health Promotion Strategist specialising in Pacific Health with the Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand.
Viliami supports and facilitates Pacific research in New Zealand and in the Pacific. His vast experience and network in the Pacific region allows for effective and meaningful engagement with Pacific communities. He has a special interest in diabetes and obesity and believes “Diabetes is the Face of NCD in the Pacific”.
He led the fight against non-communicable diseases with the Pacific Community (SPC) supporting the 22 Pacific Island countries and Territories. He was the head and team leader of the Healthy Pacific Lifestyle Unit for almost a decade before moving to New Zealand in 2014. Before that, Viliami worked as a clinician, as well as public health practitioner in Tonga.
Publications
Robinson A., Hulme-Moir S., Puloka V., Smith M., Stanley J. and Signal L. (2017). Housing as a determinant of Tongan children's health: innovative methodology using wearable cameras. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14, 1170. doi: 10.3390/ijerph14101170
Puloka, V. Domestic violence in Vava'u, Tonga Island. (1994) Pacific Health Dialog. 1(2):78-79.
Lower, T., Nauan, B., Abel, M., Ake, M., Puloka, V., & Tiban, K. (2005) Curbing the tide non communicable disease in the Pacific. Secretariat of the Pacific Community Publication.
Puloka. V. Chapter on Tonga. Cross Cultural Caring: A Handbook for Health Care Professions in Hawaii. John A Burn Medical School, University of Hawaii Press, 1980.
Publications
Gage, R., Chambers, T., Smith, M., McKerchar, C., Puloka, V., Pearson, A., Kawachi, I., & Signal, L. (2022). Children's perspectives on the wicked problem of child poverty in Aotearoa New Zealand: A wearable camera study. New Zealand Medical Journal, 135(1559), 95-111. Retrieved from https://journal.nzma.org.nz
Journal - Research Article
Gray, L., MacDonald, C., Puloka, A., Bocock, C., Gwyther, R., Rushton, A., Puloka, V., … Kvalsvig, A., & Baker, M. G. (2022). The lived experience of hotel isolation and quarantine at the Aotearoa New Zealand border for COVID-19: A qualitative descriptive study. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 70, 102779. doi: 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102779
Journal - Research Article
Teng, A., Puloka, V., Signal, L., & Wilson, N. (2021). Pacific countries lead the way on sugary drinks taxes: Lessons for New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal, 134(1543), 137-140. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Journal - Research Other
Choi, K., Giridharan, N., Cartmell, A., Lum, D., Signal, L., Puloka, V., Crossin, R., Gray, L., Davies, C., Baker, M., & Kvalsvig, A. (2021). Life during lockdown: A qualitative study of low-income New Zealanders' experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. New Zealand Medical Journal, 134(1538), 52-67. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Journal - Research Article
Teng, A., Snowdon, W., Tin, S. T. W., Genç, M., Na'ati, E., Puloka, V., Signal, L., & Wilson, N. (2021). Progress in the Pacific on sugar‐sweetened beverage taxes: A systematic review of policy changes from 2000 to 2019. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 45(4), 376-384. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.13123
Journal - Research Article
Gray, L., Rose, S. B., Stanley, J., Zhang, J., Tassell-Matamua, N., Puloka, V., Kvalsvig, A., … Murton, S. A., … Baker, M. G. (2021). Factors influencing individual ability to follow physical distancing recommendations in Aotearoa New Zealand during the COVID-19 pandemic: A population survey. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 51(Suppl. 1), S107-S126. doi: 10.1080/03036758.2021.1879179
Journal - Research Article
Teng, A., Buffière, B., Genç, M., Latavao, T., Puloka, V., Signal, L., & Wilson, N. (2021). Equity of expenditure changes associated with a sweetened-beverage tax in Tonga: Repeated cross-sectional household surveys. BMC Public Health, 21, 149. doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-10139-z
Journal - Research Article
Gage, R., Girling-Butcher, M., Joe, E., Smith, M., Ni Mhurchu, C., McKerchar, C., Puloka, V., McLean, R., & Signal, L. (2021). The frequency and context of snacking among children: An objective analysis using wearable cameras. Nutrients, 13, 103. doi: 10.3390/nu13010103
Journal - Research Article
Teng, A., Puloka, V., Filimoehala, O., Latu, C., Lolomana'ia, M., Osornprasop, S., Genç, M., Signal, L., & Wilson, N. (2020). Sugar-sweetened beverage taxes in the Pacific with evaluation results from Tonga. Proceedings of the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity (ISBNPA) XChange. (pp. 415). International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Retrieved from https://venuewest.eventsair.com/isbnpa-xchange-initiative
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Gage, R., Girling-Butcher, M., Joe, E., Smith, M., McKerchar, C., Puloka, V., & Signal, L. (2020). Big snack: Using wearable cameras to explore children's daily snacking behaviours. Proceedings of the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity (ISBNPA) XChange. (pp. 270). International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Retrieved from https://venuewest.eventsair.com/isbnpa-xchange-initiative
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Vaipuna, T., Smith, M., Puloka, V., & Signal, L. (2020). Tongan children's beverage availability and consumption: A wearable camera study. Proceedings of the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity (ISBNPA) XChange. (pp. 224). International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Retrieved from https://venuewest.eventsair.com/isbnpa-xchange-initiative
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Gray, L., MacDonald, C., Tassell-Matamua, N., Stanley, J., Kvalsvig, A., Zhang, J., Murton, S., … Puloka, V., … Baker, M. G. (2020). Wearing one for the team: Views and attitudes to face covering in New Zealand/Aotearoa during COVID-19 Alert Level 4 lockdown. Journal of Primary Health Care, 12(3), 199-206. doi: 10.1071/HC20089
Journal - Research Article
Teng, A., Puloka, V., Genç, M., Filimoehala, O., Latu, C., Lolomana'ia, M., … Signal, L., & Wilson, N. (2020). Sweetened beverage taxes and changes in beverage price, imports and manufacturing: Interrupted time series analysis in a middle-income country. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity, 17, 90. doi: 10.1186/s12966-020-00980-1
Journal - Research Article
O'Toole, C., Gage, R., McKerchar, C., Puloka, V., McLean, R., & Signal, L. (2020). Is snacking the new eating norm for New Zealand children? An urgent call for research. New Zealand Medical Journal, 133(1517), 131-132. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Journal - Research Other
Teariki, M. A., Tiatia, R., O'Sullivan, K., Puloka, V., Signal, L., Shearer, I., & Howden-Chapman, P. (2020). Beyond home: Exploring energy poverty among youth in four diverse Pacific island states. Energy Research & Social Science, 70, 101638. doi: 10.1016/j.erss.2020.101638
Journal - Research Article
Wilson, N., Puloka, V., & Baker, M. (2020). What New Zealand could potentially offer to selected Pacific Island jurisdictions to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. Commissioned by New Zealand Ministry of Health. Wellington, New Zealand: University of Otago. 13p. Retrieved from https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/covid-19-modelling-and-other-commissioned-reports
Commissioned Report for External Body
Signal, L., Veatupu, L., Puloka, V., & Smith, M. (2019). Exploring the me'akai Tongan children eat in Ha'apai using wearable cameras. Proceedings of the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity (ISBNPA) Annual Meeting: Healthy People, Healthy Planet. (pp. 536). International Society of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity. Retrieved from http://isbnpa2019.venuewest.com
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Puloka, V., Smith, M., Ferguson, A., Gage, R., Signal, L., & Baker, M. (2019, December). Identifying infectious disease hazards in Tongan children's environments: A wearable camera study. Poster session presented at the 5th One Health Aotearoa (OHA) Symposium, Wellington, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
Tu'itahi, S., Stoneham, M., Ratima, M., Simpson, T., Signal, L., & Puloka, V. (2019). Timely and significant call for planetary health promotion [Conference report]. Global Health Promotion, 26(4), 100-101. doi: 10.1177/1757975919888174
Journal - Research Other
Puloka, V., Smith, M., Ferguson, A., Gage, R., Signal, L., & Baker, M. (2019). Identifying infectious disease hazards in Tongan children's environments using wearable cameras. Proceedings of the Otago Global Health Institute (OGHI) 12th Annual Conference: Global Health in the Era of Climate Change. (pp. 14). Retrieved from https://www.otago.ac.nz/global-health
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Vaipuna, T., Puloka, V., Smith, M., & Signal, L. (2019). Tongan children's beverage availability and consumption: A wearable camera study. Proceedings of the Otago Global Health Institute (OGHI) 12th Annual Conference: Global Health in the Era of Climate Change. (pp. 7-8). Retrieved from https://www.otago.ac.nz/global-health
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Veatupu, L. L., Puloka, V., Smith, M., McKerchar, C., & Signal, L. (2019). Exploring the me'akai Tongan children eat in Ha'apai using wearable cameras. Proceedings of the Otago Global Health Institute (OGHI) 12th Annual Conference: Global Health in the Era of Climate Change. (pp. 7). Retrieved from https://www.otago.ac.nz/global-health
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Tin, S. T. W., Na'ati, E., Bertrand, S., Vivili, P., Soakai, S., Puloka, V., & Passmore, E. (2019). Assessing the status of diabetes associations in the Pacific: A starting point for strengthening associations to address diabetes. Proceedings of the 23rd International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) World Conference on Health Promotion. Retrieved from http://www.iuhpe2019.com
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Puloka, V., Smith, M., & Signal, L. (2019). Children expose a life of poverty in a land of plenty: Visual anthropology to promote health equity [Workshop]. Proceedings of the 23rd International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) World Conference on Health Promotion. Retrieved from http://www.iuhpe2019.com
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Sarfati, D., Dyer, R., Sam, F. A.-L., Barton, M., Bray, F., Buadromo, E., Ekeroma, A., … Puloka, V., … Teng, A., … Vivili, P. (2019). Cancer control in the Pacific: Big challenges facing small island states. Lancet Oncology, 20(9), e475-e492. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(19)30400-0
Journal - Research Article
Veatupu, L., Puloka, V., Smith, M., McKerchar, C., & Signal, L. (2019). Me'akai in Tonga: Exploring the nature and context of the food Tongan children eat in Ha'apai using wearable cameras. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 16(10), 1681. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16101681
Journal - Research Article
Teng, A., Wilson, N., Signal, L., Genç, M., Puloka, V., Tairea, K. (2019). Impact of sugar-sweetened beverage tariffs and excise on taxed and untaxed beverage trade volumes to the Cook Islands and Tonga: Pre-analysis study protocol. University of Otago. Version 1.0. Retrieved from https://www.otago.ac.nz/wellington/departments/publichealth/otago039299.html
Other Research Output
Robinson, A., Hulme-Moir, S., Puloka, V., Smith, M., Stanley, J., & Signal, L. (2017). Children's view of housing quality in Tonga. Proceedings of the Otago Global Health Institute (OGHI) 10th Annual Conference. (pp. 5-6). Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/global-health/annual-conference
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Puloka, V., Smith, M., Stanley, J., & Signal, L. (2017). Kids'Cam Tonga: The world of Tongan children through their eyes. Proceedings of the Otago Global Health Institute (OGHI) 10th Annual Conference. (pp. 5). Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/global-health/annual-conference
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Puloka, V., Smith, M., Stanley, J., Chambers, T., & Signal, L. (2017). Tonga's school food policy: An evaluation. Proceedings of the Otago Global Health Institute (OGHI) 10th Annual Conference. (pp. 5). Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/global-health/annual-conference
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Robinson, A., Hulme-Moir, S., Puloka, V., Smith, M., Stanley, J., & Signal, L. (2017). Housing as a determinant of Tongan children's health: Innovative methodology using wearable cameras. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 14(10), 1170. doi: 10.3390/ijerph14101170
Journal - Research Article
Signal, L., Tu'itahi, S., Simpson, T., & Puloka, V. (2017). The sustainable development goals: A vehicle for public health action. Proceedings of the 15th World Congress on Public Health. Retrieved from https://wcph2017.entegyapp.com/Page/28/719/26/1459
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Puloka, V., Signal, L., Smith, M., Stanley, J., & Lanumata, T. (2017). Kids'Cam Tonga: The world of Tongan children through their eyes. Proceedings of the 15th World Congress on Public Health. Retrieved from https://wcph2017.entegyapp.com/Page/28/393/26/1459
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract