What Budget 2026 means for the Ministry for Pacific Peoples

"Like all public sector agencies, the Ministry is expected to align with this direction. This coming year, funding is confirmed for the Ministry to continue its core roles of policy advice, data and insights, and community partnerships and engagement, with minor baseline savings absorbed through internal efficiencies,” says Gerardine. 

What’s continuing

The majority of the Ministry’s work remains unchanged. 

Our focus remains firmly on delivering outcomes in the areas Pacific peoples have told us matter most: housing, education, health, economic growth and Pacific languages. 

Funding also continues for key initiatives, including Pacific languages funds, Toloa scholarships and community funding, Pacific Wardens, housing programmes such as the Pacific Financial Capability Programme, and support for Pacific media. 

What’s being added to the Ministry’s work programme

The Ministry is delivering Game On, a four‑year pilot initiative focused on creating pathways into technology and gaming careers for Pacific youth. The initiative was announced earlier this year with the first cohort beginning in July 2026. Game On is being progressed within the Ministry’s existing funding settings and is not part of any new Budget 2026 funding decisions.

The pilot reflects a deliberate focus on supporting Pacific young people into emerging and high‑growth industries. The initiative provides Pacific youth with exposure to careers in gaming, digital technology, and the creative sector, while helping to build skills that are increasingly in demand across the wider economy.

The Ministry will monitor delivery and outcomes over the four‑year pilot period to inform future work in this area.

What’s changing

In Budget 2025, the Ministry implemented changes to streamline some grant and programme funding and improve efficiency across its initiatives. These changes are now embedded in the Ministry’s baseline and continue into Budget 2026. As part of this:

• Tupu Aotearoa is moving to the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). This change supports greater alignment with wider employment and skills programmes and helps ensure Pacific peoples can continue to access tailored employment and training support through MSD-led delivery.
• The Ministry continues to complete its time-limited Dawn Raids work programme, with funding remaining in place this year to deliver agreed commitments. As previously signalled, this is the final year of funding.
  These changes do not affect the Ministry’s core policy, data, or community engagement roles.

Looking ahead 

“Our commitment to improving outcomes for Pacific peoples in New Zealand remains unwavering. We will keep advocating for Pacific priorities and delivering value within the resources available to us,” says Gerardine.