By Rashneel Kumar in Avarua
Former Cook Islands Prime Minister Dr Joe Williams died last night after a battle with coronavirus.
He was 82.
Dr Williams, a distinguished medical practitioner in Auckland, was admitted to hospital after testing positive for covid-19 on August 13.
His medical practice was near the Americold cold store at the centre of the new community-transmission virus cluster in New Zealand.
Dr Williams served briefly as prime minister in 1999.
Cook Islands News extends deepest condolences to Dr Williams’ family at this sad time.
Dr Williams’ death is the second this week associated to the latest Auckland coronavirus cluster.
24 deaths in New Zealand
RNZ Pacific reports that the Ministry of Health said Dr Williams’ death brings the total number of people who have died from the coronavirus in New Zealand to 24.
The Pasifika Medical Association announced his death, saying he was a well-respected and much loved man.
It is with the deepest sadness that the Pasifika Medical Association announces the passing of their respected and much-loved Patron Dr Joseph Williams MBChB, MPH, QSM, QSO.
Rest well on your final voyage Papa Joe.
Read full media release here: https://t.co/a3mEOnwNIq pic.twitter.com/HlWZU3fjje— Pasifika Medical Association Group (@MedicalPasifika) September 4, 2020
Dr Williams spent 25 years in the Cook Islands and served as a Cabinet Minister between 1974 and 1978 and again in 1994-1996 before becoming Prime Minister in 1999.
Current Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna said Dr Williams’ passing had caused him great sadness.
“Dr Joe was a pioneer on many fronts and a man way beyond his time. He was one of our early breed of home-grown medical officers of health.
“For thousands of our people in New Zealand, his medical practice was where they headed for their primary health care,” Puna said.
The prime minister said Dr Williams would be greatly missed.
“E tumu rakau ruperupe teia no te Basileia kua inga.
Heart-felt condolences
“On behalf of the government and people of the Cook Islands I extend our heart-felt condolences to Dr William’s wife Jill and family.”
A National Memorial Service is to be organised for Dr Williams once his funeral arrangements have been confirmed
As a sign of respect and remembrance, all Cook Islands flags on government buildings were being lowered to fly at half-mast.
Dr Williams was born in Aitutaki, went to Northland College, and graduated from Otago Medical School in 1960, later completing a Master in Public Health at the University of Hawai’i.
He was involved with the World Health Organisation and in 2016 he received the WHO Award of Appreciation for his role in the elimination of lymphatic filariasis. He was also known for his work in the fields of eczema, prostate cancer and diabetes.
Most recently he had been practising medicine in Auckland.
He received the Queen’s Service medal in 1974 and was invested with the Companion Queens Service Order in 2011 for services to the Cook Islands community.
Pasifika MA life membership
He was awarded a life membership by New Zealand’s Pasifika Medical Association in 2004 and was appointed as patron of the PMA in 2015.
PMA president Kiki Maoate said the death of Dr Williams had left the community feeling empty and distraught.
Dr Maoate, who is also a nephew of Dr Williams, said the immediate family was devastated and that feeling of sorrow had spread through the community.
“There will be a sense of emptiness, there will be a sense of deep sorrow as we go through this period but I think at the end of the day we will look and see what he has actually touched is still there and we can carry the good work that he has actually started but he will leave a lot of distraught people for some time.”
He said Dr Williams was driven, in particular, by a love for his Cook Islands community.
Dr Maoate said the former prime minister was determined to serve his community, even well into his advanced years.
“There are other people communities that he plays a significant role [in] but first and foremost it’s about the people for him and that’s where his legacy really stands out.
Love for Cook Islands people
“That’s why, I think when you reflect back on what he has developed and processed through the years and achieved, you can actually trace it back to his heritage and his love for the people of the Cook Islands,” Dr Maoate said.
Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield today said Dr Williams was seen as a leading figure in the Cook Islands medical community and would be sadly missed.
“Our thoughts are with his family and community at this time of loss and grief.
“Today’s sad news again reinforces the importance of our shared vigilance against covid-19, the very serious consequences the virus can carry with it, and the measures we all need to take to stop the spread, break any chain of transmission and prevent deaths.”
RNZ News reports that three new cases of covid-19 were reported in New Zealand today – two in the community and one imported – after two deaths were reported in the previous 24 hours.
There was no media conference today. In a statement, the Health Ministry said both community cases had been epidemiologically linked to the Auckland cluster.
“One case has been linked as a close contact to the Americold household sub-cluster and the other is a close contact of a confirmed case linked to the Mount Roskill Evangelical Church sub-cluster,” the statement said.
The imported case is a young child linked to a previously identified case who arrived from India on August 23. The child was already in quarantine with family members.
There are two people in hospital with the coronavirus – one on a ward in North Shore Hospital and one in intensive care in Waikato Hospital.
There are now 77 people linked to the community cluster at the Auckland quarantine facility, including 60 people who have tested positive for Covid-19.
There are now 112 active cases in New Zealand, with one of the previously reported cases now recovered.
The total number of covid-19 cases in New Zealand is now 1416.
Rashneel Kumar is editor of the Cook Islands News. The Pacific Media Centre republishes Cook Islands News and RNZ News items in partnership.
