Pacifikai, formerly known as Good Start, has unveiled a new name and logo to better reflect and connect with the diverse Pacific Islander communities it serves.
The award-winning program was established in 2011 to promote health and wellbeing and prevent chronic diseases in Māori and Pacific Islander children, young people and families. It currently supports more than 14,000 participants annually.
The Pacifikai team works with children and families in Southeast and Far North Queensland to build knowledge and confidence around nutrition, physical activity, and healthy lifestyles through school-based education, pregnancy and early childhood support, family cooking classes, and care for children affected by obesity or type 2 diabetes.
The name change to Pacifikai follows a year-long co-design project with more than 300 Māori and Pacific Islander children and young people.
Pacifikai is the fusion of two words – Pacific, representing the deep connection to the Pacific region, and Kai, symbolising food, a fundamental element that brings Pacific Islander communities together.
The new logo and artwork showcase the significance of the Pacific Ocean and its role in uniting these diverse cultures. The colour blue is prominently featured, representing both the ocean and the interconnectedness of communities across the Pacific region.
The artwork also includes three symbolic motifs, each tied to the three subregions of the Pacific:
- Shark teeth (Micronesia) – Named Reirei, the Kiribati word for "school". This motif represents the shared resources of the ocean and the value of collective learning.
- Seabird (Polynesia) – Named Amata, the Samoan word for "beginnings". This motif symbolises the journey of culturally tailored healthcare and the importance of navigation in the lives of Pacific Islander peoples.
- Necklace of flowers (Melanesia) – Named Vuvale, the Fijian word for "family". This motif honours the central role of agriculture and family in sustaining thriving communities.
Pacifikai Program Manager Kirstine Kira said the goal of the rebrand project was to place the voices of children and young people at the heart of the program and foster a deeper connection to their cultural identities and health needs.
"From face-to-face interviews in Cairns, to community votes across Southeast Queensland, every phase of the project centred around inclusion and respect. The final brand is more than a logo and a name—it’s a symbol of cultural pride and community ownership,” Ms Kira said.
“Pacifikai continues Children’s Health Queensland’s mission to deliver culturally tailored health promotion and care that supports the health and wellbeing of tamariki (children) throughout Queensland. It represents a shared vision; built with the communities we serve.”
For more information on Pacifikai and its programs, visit childrens.health.qld.gov.au/our-work/pacifikai
ENDS
Media contact: t: +61 7 3068 5111 e: chqnews@health.qld.gov.au