Pasifika health overview

• The 2023 Census recorded 442,632 Pacific Peoples in Aotearoa (8.9% of the total New Zealand population), an increase of  265,974 from the 2006 census.
• Nearly 400,000 people living in Aotearoa New Zealand identified as being of Pacific ethnicity – 2 out of 3 were New Zealand-born.
• About 4 out of 10 Pacific Peoples identified themselves with more than 1 ethnicity.
• In 2021, Pacific Peoples rated the wellbeing of their family highly, giving an average rating of 8.1 out of 10 compared with 7.7 out of 10 for the total population.
• In 2023, the median age for Pacific Peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand was 24.9 years, compared to 38.1 years for the total population.
• Pacific Peoples are younger in Auckland; 81,270 children were under 15 years of age – an increase of 2385 from the 2018 Census.
• According to the 2018 census, 243,966 of Aotearoa New Zealand's Pacific population live in the Auckland region (62.1%). This was followed by:
  • Wellington (42,774)
  • Waikato (20,742)
  • Canterbury (18,927)
  • Bay of Plenty (10,926)
  • Manawatu-Whanganui (10,140)
  • Hawke’s Bay (9,351).
• Pacific Peoples have high rates of dying early from long-term health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney failure, stroke, and lung disease. Many of these are unhealthy weight related.

Yavu resources provide a framework for how to have engagement that is culturally responsive and sustainable with Pacific Peoples. They outline steps for effective engagement through building, nurturing and maintaining relationships. These resources can be used to improve culturally appropriate engagement with Pacific Peoples. 

• Yavu – Foundations of Pacific engagement(external link) Ministry for Pacific Peoples, NZ
• Yavu – Cultural practices and protocols(external link) Ministry for Pacific Peoples, NZ
• Yavu – Checklist(external link) Ministry for Pacific Peoples, NZ
  
  

Image credit: Canva

Pacific models of health are based on indigenous Pacific Peoples concepts, knowledge, values and practices. Indigenous means 'pertaining to first or original inhabitants of a place'. Māori are the indigenous people (tangata whenua) of Aotearoa New Zealand.

What are Pacific models of health?

Pacific models of health are based on indigenous Pacific Peoples' concepts, knowledge, values and practices. Pacific models of health acknowledge that health is a holistic concept which consists of the physical, mental, spiritual, and cultural dimensions. 

Furthermore, being deeply connected to the well-being of the community and the environment also impacts sense of wellbeing. Pasifika models of health provide a framework for understanding and promoting health and well-being in our Pasifika communities through tailored approaches, focused on collectivism rather than individual wellbeing. 

Pacific Peoples refers to the diverse ethnic groups in Aotearoa New Zealand that trace their origins to indigenous peoples of the island nations of the Pacific.

Examples of Pacific models of health

• Kakala model – Tongan (Konai Helu-Thaman)
• Fa'afaletui model – Samoan model (Carmel Peteru & Kiwi Tamasese)
• Ta and Va – Tongan model ('Okusitino Mahina)
• Fonua model – Tongan (Sione Tu'itahi)
• Fonofale model – Pan-Pacific & Samoan (Fuimaono K Pulotu-Endemann)
• Te Vaka Atafaga – A Tokelauan assessment model (Kupa Kupa)
• Tivaevae model – A Cook Island model (Teremoana Maua-Hodges)

Read more about the Fonofale model of health(external link).