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MPP influences Pacific wellbeing in New Zealand

MPP influences Pacific wellbeing in New Zealand

  • 10 May 2021
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A new All-of-Government Pacific Wellbeing Strategy will influence and help lift wellbeing outcomes for Pacific peoples across Aotearoa.

The Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) has led the work on the Government cross agency collaboration, and on May 5 it hosted a Pacific Wellbeing Talanoa in Wellington, to discuss in detail how the strategy would impact Pacific Aotearoa. 

Speaking at the event, Minister for Pacific Peoples Hon Aupito William Sio says it is a shared goal to lift the wellbeing of our communities.

“We cannot do this as individuals however, and we need to work together as communities and from a government perspective, across-government agencies, to influence decision making and better align and collaborate on investment in Pacific communities,” Minister Sio says.

“By doing this, we can deliver better outcomes for Pacific peoples.”

The proposed strategy, which addresses the immediate COVID-19 needs of the Pacific communities, consists of three key initiatives across government that will impact wellbeing outcomes.

These include Streamline coordination of cross-government efforts through the Lalanga Fou Deputy Chief Executives Group, to influence better alignment and collaboration on investment in Pacific communities and improve government decision making that affect Pacific peoples.

A Pacific Wellbeing Outcomes Framework will be co-designed to measure and monitor the impact of government investment through Pacific specific wellbeing indicators and measures. 

The third initiative involves lifting Pacific capability, cultural awareness and competency for the public service and organisational capability for Pacific communities, while sharing best practice principles and approaches. 

As with all of MPP’s initiatives, its approach is centred on vision and goals of Lalanga Fou, and Pacific values and principles. 

Additionally, MPP will use three key pillars to inform the programme of work underway - defining Pacific wellbeing and gathering Pacific-centric evidence and data; modelling leadership and engagement (in communities and across government); and laying investment foundations. 

Last week’s talanoa is the first of a series to be held throughout 2021, with the purpose to engage Pacific communities in the development of the strategy and build on changing government systems. 

It brought together Pacific community cultural practitioners, leaders, academics, young people and influencers to share insights on Pacific wellbeing, values, principles and frameworks. 

One of New Zealand's best-known and most honoured fa'afafine Fuimaono Karl Pulotu-Endemann (MNZM JP), Poet/Writer Dr Karlo Mila, (MNZM), along with health sector expert Kupa Kupa took part in the talanoa.

The guest speakers provided insight on the enablers of wellbeing, and what a successful partnership between government and Pacific peoples would look like, to effectively promote Pacific wellbeing.

Planning is underway for three more talanoa scheduled to take place before the end of the year.