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Former Cook Islands Prime Minister and well-known Auckland physician Joe Williams died from the coronavirus, becoming the second fatality from the second outbreak, just one day after his older brother died in Brisbane.
Williams, in his 80s, was admitted to Auckland hospital with coronavirus on Aug. 13.
The Health Ministry confirmed that Williams was the second Covid-19 related death, and that he died at Auckland City Hospital on Friday night.
The Director General of Health, Dr. Ashley Bloomfield, described him as a well-known politician, physician, and published author.
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* Pasifika family celebrates the third generation doctor
Cook Islands News / Supplied
Dr. Joe Williams photographed with his wife, Jill, in the Cook Islands last year.
“Dr. Williams was seen as a leading figure in the Cook Islands medical community and we will sadly miss him.”
Williams was admitted to Auckland City Hospital on August 13.
Maoate Family / Supplied
There are at least three generations of doctors in the Williams family, including his nephew, Dr. Kiki Maoate, and his daughter Brogan Maoate.
“Today’s sad news reinforces once again the importance of our shared vigilance against Covid-19, the dire consequences that the virus can have and the measures we must all take to stop the spread, break any chain of transmission and prevent deaths, Bloomfield said.
This means that the number of Covid-19 related deaths in New Zealand is now 24. The usual Ministry update on cases will be provided at 1pm.
Williams’s nephew, Dr. Kiki Maoate, confirmed his death to Stuff and said it had happened after the death of Williams’ brother in Brisbane the day before.
“It is a huge loss for the family, two deaths in one week,” Maoate said.
He said the family will meet to organize and discuss both funerals and it was not yet clear whether Williams’ funeral would take place in New Zealand or the Cook Islands.
Maoate described his uncle as a “leader, mentor, wise adviser to many, passionate advocate and strategist.”
“He was generous, kind and led by example, living a life of service.”
Speaking about Tagata Pasifika, Maoate said he thought the community would reflect on Williams as a “gift that has traveled, guided and touched throughout our lives.”
He said the family “always hoped” that Williams would get out of the hospital, but knew that with his age and the effect of the coronavirus on him, he had the “potential to happen like this.”
“He is a giant man and has made contributions that touched everyone,” Maoate said.
RYAN ANDERSON / Stuff
Dr. Williams’ medical practice has more than 15,000 patients.
Williams’ medical practice, Mt Wellington Integrated Family Healthcare Clinic, is close to the Americold cold room at the center of New Zealand’s new group of community-borne viruses.
Dr. Williams, QSO, was born in Aitutaki and studied medicine at the Universities of Otago and Hawai’i. He worked as a physician in the Cook Islands from 1964, before entering Parliament in 1968 as a deputy for the Cook Islands Party.
He served as a member of the executive board of the World Health Organization from 1995 to 1997, then as Prime Minister of the Cook Islands from July to November 1999.
His Mt Wellington medical practice saw more than 15,000 patients, who would travel from across the country to see him. He had been working until he got sick.
Dr Samantha Murton, president of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, said Williams was a mainstay in the Pasifika community, even during the pandemic.
“While New Zealanders have rightly been self-isolating and practicing social distancing, GPs choose to remain fighting on the front lines as Dr. Williams did.”
Amy McGillivray / Stuff
Dr. Joseph Williams was named a companion of the Queen’s Service Order on the 2011 New Years honors list.
An ‘influential leader’
Manukau Ward Councilor Ephesus Collins, whose family Dr. Williams knew well, said he first visited his office as a child suffering from eczema.
He recalled the way Williams spoke “so kindly” to his mother, as he did to all of his patients.
“There will definitely be a cloud of sadness over the community today.”
Collins hoped the Pasifika community would feel more anxiety about the coronavirus following Williams’ death, but hoped the importance of caring for each other, staying healthy, washing hands and wearing masks would be noted.
Abigail Dougherty / Stuff
Manukau District Councilman Ephesus Collins said he feels a “deep sense of pain and sadness” over the death of Dr. Williams.
The Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Henry Puna, described Dr. Williams as “a pioneer on many fronts and a man far beyond his time.”
“On behalf of the Government and people of the Cook Islands, I extend our condolences to Dr. Williams’ wife, Jill, and her family.”
A National Memorial Service will be organized, he said. All flags of government buildings in the Cook Islands will be flown at half mast.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters said Williams contributed significantly to his two home countries, through a lifetime of service.
“As a physician, health researcher, and politician, Dr. Williams made a serious mark on the communities he served. We will miss him very much in both New Zealand and the Cook Islands. “
Peters said Williams was a dedicated and passionate man, an enduring example of a Cook Islander who came to New Zealand seeking an education and then made a real difference in his chosen career.
“New Zealand First was very proud to have him as a candidate in 2005.”
Finance Minister Grant Robertson shared his condolences and prayers with the family, friends and community of Dr. Williams.
“Dr. Joe was such an influential leader in the Cook Islands community and in the health sector in general.”
Second death in the Auckland cluster
On Friday, the Health Ministry confirmed that a man in his 50s had died in the intensive care unit at Middlemore Hospital, marking New Zealand’s 23rd death due to the coronavirus.
He was the youngest person to succumb to the coronavirus in New Zealand.
Before her death, New Zealand had a 98-day streak without a coronavirus death, following that of 96-year-old Eileen Margaret Hunter on May 24.
She was among five people in their 90s who died during the first outbreak.
Seven people in their 80s, seven people in their 70s and three people in their 60s also died during that outbreak.
