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Ministry for Pacific Peoples secretary Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone says recent budget cuts have not affected the delivery of support.
The ministry has published a new strategy to help deliver on the government's priorities for Aotearoa's Pacific communities. Called the 'Delivering for Pacific Communities Strategy', it is a three-year plan focused on economic growth, health, housing, education and law and order.
The ministry has lost nearly NZ$36 million in government funding over the next four years.
Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti told Pacific Waves at the time the benefits set to come from the 2025/26 Budget would also benefit Pasifika in New Zealand.
But Clifford-Lidstone said the budget reduction does not affect delivery of support.
"We have been really lucky that where we have had cuts, it's been in some of our back-office functions, rather than directly with services that we provide to our community."
She also touched on the funding boost for Pacific wardens in the 2025 New Zealand Budget.
"They were largely voluntary, and it was difficult to for them to be able to build a really good kind of community based response network."
Clifford-Lidstone said the plan builds on previous strategies, and follows engagement with government agencies, providers, and individuals.
"Where we see a lot of difference, I guess, is the feedback from our communities and the insights that they give us from their lived experience, and how we might focus on some of these things," she said.
The report said the strategy aims to provide tangible outcomes and ongoing support for the Pasifika community in New Zealand.
