Fact Sheet 16 : Pacific Peoples

This Fact Sheet was prepared for the July 2002 General Election campaign.

Kia orana, Talofa lava, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Malo e lelei, Ni sa bula, Ia orana, Taloha ni, Halo oloketa; Kam na Mauri.

Progress made under the current Government

The Labour/Alliance Government has introduced policies that have very real impacts on the quality of life for Pacific workers.

Progress made under the current Government

The Labour / Alliance Government has introduced policies that have very real impacts on the quality of life for Pacific workers. At the head of these has been Pacific peoples' involvement through Community Reference Groups in the development of Programmes of Action to improve the health, employment, incomes and education of Pacific communities. These have resulted in specific projects addressing substandard housing, developing qualifications and resources for Pacific learners, and supporting Pacific early childhood education services.

In addition, there has been an acknowledgment of the importance of developing the Pacific workforce. This includes funding for the professional development of Pacific teachers, and Pacific workforce development strategies within both the health and tertiary education sectors.

The introduction of Employment Related Education Leave under the Employment Relations Act has enabled Pacific workers to have paid time off work to gain knowledge about their employment rights and participate in building a strong Pacific voice within unions.

What else needs to be done?

The Pacific Provider Development Fund has resourced Pacific communities to prove social services to their own people. If these initiatives are to be sustainable, there is a need for greater attention to the training needs of Pacific community workers.

Pacific workers are more likely to be employed in low-income jobs, and to have less bargaining power than higher-income workers. 2001 Census figures show that the average income for Pacific adults is only $14,800 a year - $3,700 less than the average income of $18,500 for all NZ adults. Therefore Pacific peoples are very dependent on the minimum code provisions covered in legislation. For example, many Pacific workers would benefit from the CTU's campaign for 4 weeks annual leave.

Pacific union members, particularly cleaners, have highlighted the vulnerability they face when their employer loses a contract. They have played a strong role in supporting the CTU's ongoing campaign for legislation protecting workers when a business is sold, transferred or contracted out.

What could be lost under a National/Act Government?

The industrial relations policy proposed by the National Party would have a particularly bad impact on Pacific workers. It undermines the minimum employment rights that many Pacific workers are dependent on, and opposes protections for workers when a business is sold, transferred or contacted out.

Tax cuts proposed by National and Act would reduce the level of money available to fund public services, including education, health and housing. Act supports greater privatisation of education and both parties would abolish zoning. Together these policies would increase the threat of 'white flight'; and weaken the financial security of schools within Pacific communities, and therefore the quality of education they provide for Pacific learners.