People from the Pacific Islands represent a significant proportion of the NZ population. Pacific peoples are a diverse population, coming from 22 different island nations, each with distinct languages and cultures. Second to Māori, Pacific people experience poorer health status, have a higher mortality rate and lower life expectancy than NZ European and other New Zealanders.

Social and economic factors such as low income, poor housing conditions and low levels of education are likely to contribute to a substantial proportion of the excess ill health affecting Pacific peoples.

NZGG is committed to ensuring that the evidence-based advice it provides is relevant to, and improves the lives and outcomes of people with the condition or in the relevant situation.

The cultural and spiritual practices and values of Pacific peoples are frequently different from those of the people who participate in main stream research studies. It is therefore important that NZGG seeks to identify the most relevant and appropriate evidence sources for Pacific peoples.

In addition to published and written studies, all members working on a guideline team or advisory group are asked to consult with their constituencies as the process progresses.

To ensure that the evidence-based advice provided by NZGG and its our guideline teams and advisory groups is relevant to Pacific peoples and actively promotes positive outcomes for Pacific people, NZGG will invite at least one Pacific person to actively participate as a member of each advisory group or guideline team.