September 19th, 2024
Pacific New Zealanders continue to experience significant health and housing challenges, according to an analytical paper published by the New Zealand Treasury last week.
The report highlights that Pacific peoples face ongoing health challenges, such as low rates of childhood immunisations and cancer screenings, which are exacerbated by disparities in access to health services and compounded by discrimination.
Furthermore, the quality, affordability, and suitability of housing for Pacific peoples negatively impact their health and wellbeing outcomes, leading to stark health inequities among young Pacific New Zealanders and shorter life expectancies compared to the rest of the population.
"Health inequities start at young ages and are stark. Pacific children (aged 5–14 years) are 50 times more likely to be hospitalised from developing acute rheumatic fever (ARF) compared to non-Pacific, non-Māori children," the paper says.
The paper titled 'Pacific peoples’', wellbeing by the New Zealand Treasury, published on 4 April, reveals that about one in 12 New Zealanders identifies as having a Pacific ethnicity, making the Pacific population younger and faster-growing than the general population.
Diverse and Expanding Demographics
The 2018 Census recorded a total of 381,642 people, or 8.1% of the total population, from over 30 distinct Pacific groups living in New Zealand. The seven major ethnicities (Samoan, Tongan, Cook Islands Māori, Niuean, Fijian, Tokelauan, and Tuvaluan) have grown between 21% and 37%. Just over 40% of Pacific peoples identified with more than one ethnicity in 2018 compared to 34.3% in 2006.
Strengthening Pacific peoples' education and employment
Despite improvements in educational achievement and participation rates, Pacific peoples still lag behind the rest of the population. Tertiary completion rates remain low, and young Pacific peoples identified as NEET (not in employment, education, or training) are significantly higher than other groups except for Māori.
The paper also highlights that Pacific peoples earn lower wages than other ethnic groups, with pre-pandemic disparities such as the persistent pay gap between Pacific men, women, and other New Zealanders still ongoing.
Addressing health inequities
Pacific peoples in New Zealand face health challenges, including low rates of childhood immunisations and cervical and breast cancer screenings. Pacific children (aged 5–14 years) are 50 times more likely to be hospitalised from developing acute rheumatic fever (ARF) compared to non-Pacific, non-Māori children. Life expectancy for Pacific New Zealanders is 5 years lower for males and 4.5 years lower for females compared to the rest of the population, the paper says.
Housing challenges impacting health and wellbeing
The quality, affordability, and suitability of housing typically occupied by Pacific peoples are persistent challenges negatively impacting their health and wellbeing outcomes. The Treasury paper calls for more comprehensive research that reflects the diversity and complexity of Pacific communities, allowing for better-informed policy and decision-making.
Acknowledging Pacific cultural capital
The paper suggests that future research should consider different elements of Pacific culture as forms of value-creating intangible capital, which contribute to New Zealand's social, human, natural, and physical capital stocks. This will help provide valuable insights into the role of Pacific peoples in the wellbeing of all New Zealanders.
By addressing the challenges faced by Pacific New Zealanders in education, health, housing, and employment, and celebrating their unique cultural identity, New Zealand can unlock the potential of this growing population and ensure their wellbeing and contributions to the nation's prosperity.
Pacific languages and culture at risk
The Treasury paper highlights the decline of Pacific languages in New Zealand, particularly those of New Zealand realm countries like Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau. Only 16% of those aged under 15 years speak their heritage language, with some languages having as low as 7% of speakers in that age group. Pacific community consultations called for valuing and recognising Pacific languages and cultures as assets in Aotearoa, with the hope that more Pacific peoples will continue to speak their languages.
Pacific women's role in strengthening communities
The impact of the pandemic throughout the last three years has demonstrated the strength and resilience of Pacific communities and families. Pacific women play a significant role in maintaining social connections across Pacific communities and promoting cultural practices that build family and community resilience and wellbeing.
Investing in the future of Pacific youth
The young age structure of Pacific New Zealanders has implications for the future workforce and economic growth. Addressing education and health issues of Pacific youth is a critical strategic opportunity for New Zealand. By investing in the wellbeing and development of Pacific youth, the nation can ensure a more inclusive and prosperous future for all.
The New Zealand Treasury's analytical paper underscores the importance of addressing the opportunities and challenges faced by this growing population. By focusing on education, health, housing, employment, and preserving cultural heritage, New Zealand can harness the potential of Pacific New Zealanders to contribute to the wellbeing and prosperity of the nation.
As of the 2018 Census, 381,642 people, or 8.1% of the total population, from over 30 distinct Pacific groups lived in New Zealand.
Over 90% of Pacific New Zealanders are Polynesian, with the NZ Pacific community also consisting of Melanesians and Micronesians.
All 17 distinct Pacific groups in New Zealand saw an increase in population between the 2013 and 2018 Censuses, with the seven major ethnicities (Samoan, Tongan, Cook Islands Māori, Niuean, Fijian, Tokelauan, and Tuvaluan) growing between 21% and 37%.
Over 40% of Pacific peoples identified with more than one ethnicity in 2018, compared to 34.3% in 2006.
Among those identifying with two ethnicities, most identify as Pacific and European (13%), followed by Pacific and Māori (9%), Pacific and Asian (2%), and Pacific and other (0.2%).
The median age of Pacific peoples is 23.7 years, compared to the overall New Zealand median age of 37.2 years.
In the 2018 Census, young Pacific peoples (aged 0–29 years) accounted for 60.8% of the total Pacific population and 12.3% of the total New Zealand population aged 0–29 years.