About Pacific public health at Health New Zealand
The Pacific Public Health Directorate (National Public Health Service) is the lead for Pacific public health with Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora. Its work programme is delivered through Na Sala Vou: Pacific Public Health Road Map 2025 - 2028. The roadmap contributes to the strategic priorities set by Te Mana Ola: The Pacific Health Strategy.
Te Mana Ola: The Pacific Health Strategy | Ministry of Healthexternal link
Aim of the Pacific health programme
The Pacific Public Health work programme is focused on:
- increasing immunisation rates
- improving cancer screening rates
- protecting communities from public health threats and hazards
- improving food environments, nutrition and physical activity
- minimising the harm of alcohol, smoking and vaping
- improving mental wellbeing outcomes
Wansolwara Framework
The Wansolwara Pacific Public Health Outbreak and Emergency Response Framework (the Wansolwara Framework) is an evidence-based and community informed framework that sets out a best practice manaaki public health approach for Pacific communities in New Zealand during public health communicable disease outbreaks (like measles) and emergencies (such as flooding and earthquakes).
The Wansolwara Framework supports a collaborative partnership between Pacific Public Health (National Public Health Service) and Moana Connect. It captures importance of:
- Pacific values
- Pacific-led solutions
- the role families and Pacific communities, including Pacific churches, play in preparing for and responding to public health outbreaks and emergencies
- building off effective approaches that already work well for Pacific communities
- recognising that Pacific know what works best for Pacific people and that solutions lie within the communities.