The incidence of diabetes (Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus) amongst the diaspora Indigenous Fijians (iTaukei) in Aotearoa/New Zealand is increasing at an alarming rate and seems to replicate the situation in Fiji. This paper argues that beyond the medical and clinical methods of mitigation, there is a need to think innovatively about alternative approaches based on understanding people’s perceptions of diabetes and using this to transform behaviour using community-centred approaches. The idea is to address some of the social and cultural variables which impact on their health condition. This paper uses the tarakoro ethnographic approach to examine community narratives on diabetes as well as suggest ways of addressing diabetes through behavioural change using community motivation in the form of the solesolevaki cultural approach. Changes in diet and other forms of lifestyle as a result of socio-economic and cultural transformation, have impacted on the Fijian diaspora community. How much do people know about diabetes and how can this knowledge be translated into transformative action? Knowledge is a powerful tool of personal and societal change which can be used to inform health and wellbeing mitigation approaches at the community level. In this regard, the paper examines the level of understanding, perceptions, and narratives of diabetes amongst the iTaukei community living in Aotearoa/New Zealand and how these can form the basis for developing a community-based health strategy to induce behavioural change based on indigenous knowledge and community motivation as a platform for collective action.