The Ministry’s ongoing work programme supports the three key outcomes we seek to achieve for Pacific peoples.

The outcomes, and the work we are undertaking to achieve them, are described in the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs Statement of Intent 2008 – 2011. They are:

• Outcome 1:   Pacific peoples participate fully in New Zealand’s economy.

• Outcome 2:   The social wellbeing of Pacific peoples is enhanced.

• Outcome 3:   Pacific peoples’ cultures and heritage are supported, developed, and valued.

On this page

• Our Pacific Economic Action Plan
• Some of our projects with central and local government agencies
  

Many of the work programmes are being undertaken to achieve the goals of the Pacific Economic Action Plan and the Pacific Women’s Economic Development Plan, launched in 2007.

THE PACIFIC ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN &
THE PACIFIC WOMEN'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN

The Pacific Economic Action Plan (PEAP) and the Pacific Women’s Economic Development Plan (PWEDP) are Ministry-driven strategies to progress economic development for Pacific peoples in New Zealand.  We are implementing the plan in collaboration with relevant government and non-government stakeholders. Projects being undertaken to fulfil the PEAP and the PWEDP are described in this section. 

Some Projects

Some projects, strategies and plans in which we play part, and websites or publications associated with them, are listed below.  They relate to improving outcomes for Pacific people in health and welfare, housing, education, training and employment.

Pasifika Education Plan

We work in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MoE) to step up the Pasifika Education Plan to accelerate educational improvements for Pacific peoples.  The Plan covers early childhood, compulsory schooling, tertiary, and sector-wide education issues.  An overview of Pasifika Education is available on the Ministry of Education website, HERE >>

Pacific Health

We are working in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MoH) in two areas:

1)  Actions to improve Pacific peoples’ health.  Our work focuses on issues of child health, nutrition and physical activity, smoking, the effectiveness of mainstream services, and Pacific health workforce and community development.

2)  Revising the Pacific Health and Disability Action Plan.

You can find the Pacific Health Framework, and Pacific Health plans HERE >>

Lu'i Auckland Pacific Disability Plan

We are also working with the Ministry of Health to develop a plan of action for assisting Pacific people with disabilities to access services and improve their quality of life.

Taskforce for Action on Sexual Violence

The Ministry is a member of the Taskforce working towards reducing the incidence and impact of sexual violence in New Zealand.  With Te Puni Kokiri, we co-lead work on raising conversations in the community to prevent sexual violence from occurring.

Pacific Programme of Action (Justice)

We worked with the Ministry of Justice to develop the Programme of Action for Pacific Peoples to improve justice sector outcomes for them.  We are co-leading some work as a member of the Steering Group overseeing the Plan’s implementation.

Settlement in New Zealand

We continue to be involved in the development of the New Zealand Settlement Strategy, and lead several strands of the Strategy.

 We are commissioning research on the economic and social contribution of Pacific communities and organisations to Pacific migrant settlement in New Zealand.  This is funded by the Department of Labour’s immigration research programme.  The New Zealand settlement strategy is available HERE >>

Taskforce for Action on Violence Within Families

The Ministry is a member of the Taskforce led by the Ministry of Social Development working towards eliminating violence within families in New Zealand.  We are developing a Pacific Family Violence Research Agenda

Choices for Living, Caring and Working

‘Choices’ is a ten-year plan of action to improve the caring and employment choices available to parents and carers.  The Ministry is on the Choices Steering Group, led by the Department of Labour, ensuring that Pacific parents, carers, and children receive maximum benefit from government work.

Out of School Services

We were involved in the development of the Out of School Services Five Year Action Plan led by the Ministry of Social Development.  We are working to ensure that Pacific families, children, and providers are aware of the government assistance available, and to make sure that government assistance is effective in helping Pacific families.

Pacific Women’s Employment

The Ministry is a member of the National Advisory Council on the Employment of Women (NACEW) and a member of the project team considering young Pacific and Māori women’s employment and study choices. You can read about current issues for Māori and Pacific women, on the  NACEW website.

Pacific Housing

We are working with the Housing New Zealand Corporation on strategies to ensure Pacific peoples’ housing needs and aspirations are met.  Read more about plans for a Pacific Housing Strategy.

Government Urban and Economic Development Office (GUEDO)

We support the work of the Government Urban and Economic Development Office (GUEDO) which seeks to improve the focus on Auckland-related policy development.  This is part of our contribution to the wider Auckland Economic Transformation Agenda, led by the Ministry of Economic Development.  Read more>>

Skills Strategy

The Skills Strategy aims to develop a unified approach to developing the New Zealand workforce’s skills base.  We have ensured that Pacific communities were involved in the development of the Skills Strategy discussion document, and will continue to work with the Department of Labour to finalise the Strategy.   Read more>>

Pacific Modern Apprenticeships

We are promoting career opportunities through our Pacific Modern Apprenticeship campaign, targeted at Pacific young people.  The scheme is designed to increase their uptake of apprenticeships and to encourage more Pacific women to consider taking up trade training.

We are working collaboratively with the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), Industry Training Federation (ITF), and tertiary education providers, to put together an awareness programme for modern apprenticeships.

Our campaign, called “The Apprentice”, is to be rolled out over 2009. 

Read our BOOKLET which profiles Pacific people who have worked through apprenticeship training in a range of trades;  and provides all the information on how you can get started in a modern apprenticeship now.

Find out more about Modern Apprenticeships on the TEC's apprenticeship website.

Puataunofu Manukau Pilot Project

This is a strategic pilot project being developed by the Department of Labour. Its goals are to promote and raise awareness of health and safety issues for Pacific workers and Pacific youth in workplaces and communities in Manukau.  Read more >>

Auckland Youth Support Network

This network aims to address issues of gang and youth violence in Manukau.  The Ministry of Social Development is leading this project with support from social agencies throughout the region.  Read more>>

Read about some of our work with local government authorities and regional organisations in our WORK WITH LOCAL AUTHORITIES pages.