Age Friendly Pacific Island Communities

The Age-Friendly Pacific Island Communities is a participatory-based research project operating out of the Pacific Health Research Centre. This study is designed to engage with older Pacific adults living in Tāmaki Makaurau to understand the age-friendly attributes that assist and enhance their health and wellbeing.

Purpose and background

The purpose of this research is to understand whether Tāmaki Makaurau is an age-friendly place for older Pacific people to age well.
The Pacific ageing population is fast-growing, with the number of Pacific people in New Zealand aged 65 years and over expected to double from 21,300 in 2018 to 46,700 by 2034. With such significant growth comes the need for future health policy, planning, and programmes that are Pacific-led and solution-focused. This study will add to the body of knowledge on the ageing Pacific population’s health and wellness while living in New Zealand and inform policy and the provision of health care that is inclusive of Pacific elders’ needs.

Research methodology

Participatory and Pacific methodologies utilising Pacific language, metaphors, and frames of reference (ways of knowing, being and doing) will be used to gather Pacific elders’, key stakeholders', and end users’ views and experiences on the topic.
The overarching research process will employ the Fonofale, a holistic Pacific health model, and utilise Talanoa to gather information with Pacific health service providers, Pacific elders, communities, and churches.

Recruitment

Participants will be sought in Auckland from the Pacific Nations of Tonga, Samoa, and Cook Island because these three Pacific Nations collectively make up the largest Pacific population in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Research impact

A diverse Pacific and migrant population expectation of what constitutes age-friendly cities and communities for them to live active, healthier lives and age well in Tāmaki Makaurau, New Zealand.