Joe Williams may have been 85 years old, but when the coronavirus struck this year, the Auckland doctor worked extra hard to warn his Pacific Island patients of its dangers. 9News
He was recognised by the World Health Organisation for his work in the Cook Islands helping stamp out the tropical disease lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis.
"I have this vision of him at breakfast and dinner walking around talking to everybody," Dr Talemaitoga said. Mr Williams first got involved in politics in 1964, serving as New Zealand's representative to the Cook Islands. With a population of just under 10,000, the Cooks is self-governing but in free association with New Zealand.
In 2011, Mr Williams was awarded a New Zealand honour, the Queens Service Order, for services to the Cook Islands community.
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