Pacific Perspectives is pleased to advise that Enhancing Pacific Health Services: the growth and innovation of Pacific providers in Aotearoa has been published in the Journal of Primary Health Care. 

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This study offers the first comprehensive overview of Pacific health providers in Aotearoa New Zealand, detailing their development and service delivery models. The research strengthens the evidence base for Pacific policy development and offers a foundational categorisation framework for consistent monitoring and evaluation of the impact of Pacific Providers. The research identified 43 Pacific-led organisations, ranging from general practice to health promotion and enabler services, delivering services across 88 locations, 

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Key findings include: 

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• Significant sector growth, with revenues more than tripling between 2019 and 2023 in part driven by COVID-19 response funding. 

• A workforce that is 83% Pacific, reinforcing these providers' role as major employers of Pacific and cultural anchors. 

• A sector-wide reliance on short-term contracts (over half of less than two years duration), which poses challenges to sustainability and service continuity. 

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The study emphasises the need for fewer, larger, and longer-term contracts—an approach already required of Health New Zealand in the Health Minister’s 2025 Letter of Expectations. Longer-term agreements would better reflect the proven value and enduring commitment of these providers to improving health outcomes for Pacific communities.