Pacific contribution to the New Zealand Covid-19 response: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Missed Opportunities

Measuring the impact of COVID-19 on Pacific communities to inform future planning for pandemic responses

The Need
Pacific communities within New Zealand have the potential to make a significant contribution to future planning of pandemic responses. A need exists to deeply understand the impact of COVID-19 on the Pacific population, the effectiveness of New Zealand’s COVID-19 response within Pasifika communities, in turn providing the opportunity to co-design a way forward for all health issues.

This project is part of a three-part-research series by Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa that aims to gather reliable data on the impact of COVID-19 on the Pacific population to inform policy and decision-making for future global pandemic events. Outcomes will include describing the impact of COVID-19 on the Pasifika communities, identifying interventions to enhance individual and family health and understanding awareness and potential barriers to vaccine acceptance. 

Approach
In partnership with The Fono and Pasifika Medical Association (PMA), this study utilises an in-depth qualitative study using the Talanoa research method, convening up to 16 focus groups with Pacific adults, youth, and providers across four locations.

Data collection has been completed, analysis of data is currently in progress.

Research Aims
This project is part of a three-part-research series by Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa and it aims to achieve the following:

• Gather reliable data on the impact of COVID-19 on the Pacific population to inform policy and decision-making for future global pandemic events
• Describing the impact of COVID-19 on the Pasifika communities
• Identify interventions to enhance individual and family health
• Understand awareness and potential barriers to vaccine acceptance. 

Photo: RNZ/Nick Monro

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