‘Special Treatment’ a 30-year Case Study Exploring Whether Pacific Peoples as an Ethnic Minority Are Being Privileged in Public Policy
Date
Authors
Tuesday, Ruby
Kingi-Uluave, Denise
Siataga, Philip
Fa’alili-Fidow, Malaetogia Jacinta
Fidow, Tuaopepe Abba
Vaka, Sione
Boon, Juliet
Supervisor
Item type
Journal Article
Degree name
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Victoria University of Wellington Library
Abstract
This article interrogates claims of ‘special treatment’ for ethnic minorities by examining the alignment between documented Pacific mental health need and 30 years of public mental health and Pacific health policy (alongside relevant estimates of appropriations). Using frequency analysis and close reading, it finds that despite longstanding and well‑evidenced inequities, Pacific mental health is inconsistently addressed, rarely prioritised, and seldom supported through targeted investment. Analysis by governing party shows that both inclusion and prioritisation are generally lower under National‑led governments. While Labour‑led governments have adopted more inclusive rhetoric, this has not consistently translated into substantive policy action or resourcing. Overall, the study finds that claims of special treatment for Pacific peoples as an ethnic minority are supported by neither policy content nor investment.Description
Keywords
4407 Policy and Administration, 4408 Political Science, 44 Human Society, 3 Good Health and Well Being, Public policy, Mental health, Pacific peoples, Equity, Ethnic-specific policy, Political discourse
Source
Policy Quarterly, ISSN: 2324-1098 (Print); 2324-1101 (Online), Victoria University of Wellington Library, 22(2), 49-58. doi: 10.26686/pq.v22i2.10728
Publisher's version
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The journal is freely available online. Authors are required to agree with this open access policy, which enables unrestricted access and reuse of all published articles provided that the original publication in Policy Quarterly is acknowledged.