Project Aim

A new study, Pacific nurses’ experiences of informal interpreting and language assistance in healthcare settings in Aotearoa New Zealand, reports survey findings from Aniva programme alumni on how Pacific nurses are routinely called on to bridge language gaps for Pacific patients with limited English proficiency (LEP). 

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What the research shows 

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• Widespread informal interpreting: Among nurses who spoke a Pacific language, 85% had been asked to interpret or translate outside their formal role. 

• Who asks: Requests came from colleagues (89%), patients and families (75%), and supervisors/managers (64%)—over half were asked by all three. 

• Capability and limits: 75% reported feeling confident. Confidence was significantly associated only with being born in a Pacific Island country. Technical terms and culturally nuanced concepts remained challenging. 

• Patient impact: Participants reported that interpreting was associated with greater comfort, trust, informed consent, and health literacy, often supported by culturally grounded explanations and metaphors. 

• System gaps and risks: Reliance on unpaid, unrecognised interpreting creates ethical, professional, and workload risks for nurses and safety risks for patients - highlighting shortfalls in formal interpreter provision.

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Why this matters 

Pacific nurses’ cultural and linguistic expertise is a critical asset for equitable care, yet it remains under-resourced and under-recognised. The study calls for investment in professional interpreter services, targeted training for bilingual staff, clear role definitions and support, and policy settings that acknowledge and remunerate this cultural labour.