Auckland, September 5, 2020
Dr Joe Williams, a prominent doctor and former Prime Minister of Cook Islands died in an Auckland Hospital last night, according to the Ministry of Health.
The 82-year-old was admitted to the Hospital on August 13, 2020.
His death is the second this week associated to the latest Auckland outbreak of the Coronavirus.
The Health Ministry said in a Statement that 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 passing, saying that he was a well-respected and much loved man.
Dr Williams spent 25 years in the Cook Islands and served as a Cabinet Minister between 1974 and 1978 and again between 1994 1996 before becoming Prime Minister in 1999.
As a sign of respect and remembrance all Cook Islands flags on government buildings were being lowered to fly at half-mast.
Prime Minister’s tribute
Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna said that his passing has caused 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,” Mr Puna said.
He said that Dr Williams would be greatly missed.
“E tumu rakau ruperupe teia no te Basileia kua inga. 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,” he added.
A National Memorial Service will be held after his funeral arrangements are confirmed.
Empty and distraught
PMA President and a nephew of Dr Williams, Kiki Maoate said that the death of Dr Williams had left the community feeling empty and distraught.
Dr Maoate said that 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 an 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,” Dr Maoate said.
He said that Dr Williams was driven, in particular, by a love for his Cook Island community.
Dr Maoate said that the former Prime Minister was determined to serve his community, even well into his advanced years.
Heritage and legacy
“There are other people communities that he plays a significant role but first and foremost, it is about the people for him and that is where his legacy really stands out. That is why, I think that when you reflect on what he has developed and processed through the years and achieved, you can trace it to his heritage and his love for the people of the Cook Islands,” he said.
Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said that 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,” Dr Bloomfield said.
About Dr Joe Williams
Born in Aitutaki, Dr Joe Williams went to Northland College, and graduated from Otago Medical School in 1960, later completing a Master in Public Health at the University of Hawaii.
He was involved with the World Health Organisation and in 2016 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 of Queens Service Order’ in 2011 for services to the Cook Islands community.
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.
-Published under a Special Agreement with www.rnz.co.nz
