To mark World Meningitis Day on October 5, The Meningitis Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand has launched new bilingual editions of The Meningitis Colouring Book, in Tongan and Samoan making this important educational resource accessible to even more families and communities.

The book was first published in 2023 as a bilingual Te Reo Māori resource, designed to help children, whānau, and communities understand the signs and symptoms of meningitis in a simple, child-friendly format. With the support of translators, health professionals, and community advocates, the Foundation has now extended its reach by producing Pacific language editions.

Pacific peoples are over-represented in invasive meningococcal disease statistics. In the five years to the end of 2024, Pacific peoples made up 13.4% of all cases of invasive meningococcal disease, despite comprising just 8.8% of the population. Exacerbating this, just 58.8% of eligible Pacific children on the Aotearoa Immunisation Register were up to date with their vaccinations (as of 30 June 2025).

Gerard Rushton, Chair of The Meningitis Foundation, says language and cultural connection are vital in raising awareness.

“Meningitis can affect anyone, anywhere, at any time. Making resources available in Pacific languages is a critical step in ensuring families across Aotearoa can recognise the signs and symptoms early. The sooner meningitis is detected, the better the outcomes.”

The bilingual Tongan and Samoan colouring books will be available to early childhood education centres, community health providers, and other  groups who work and provide support in Pacific communities.

“Education saves lives. Our goal is that every family in New Zealand, no matter their background, has access to information that could one day protect their loved ones. These new translations are part of our commitment to equity in health education,” Mr Rushton says.

World Meningitis Day is commemorated globally each year to raise awareness of meningitis and the importance of prevention, recognition, and treatment. In New Zealand, meningococcal disease remains a serious public health issue, with Māori and Pacific communities disproportionately affected.

The Foundation is calling for continued efforts to improve vaccination uptake, increase awareness, and ensure all New Zealanders – especially vulnerable communities – have the tools they need to act quickly if meningitis strikes.