Pacific people have faced considerable difficulties in New Zealand economically and have been identified as having the highest risk of problem and pathological gambling behaviours. Pacific peoples have been over-represented among low-income earners, living in areas with the fewest economic resources, lower-skilled workers and unemployed as poor education reduces opportunities for peoples’ employment. Yet, Pacific peoples have a high number of their communities participating in gambling.

The aim of this dissertation is to identify and critique the methodologies and methods that have been used to investigate gambling and problem gambling among Pacific peoples. The dissertation will discuss the methodologies used to investigate gambling and problem gambling within Pacific families and communities in Auckland, New Zealand through the perceptions and understandings of past researchers’ investigations. The ‘Kakala’ Research Framework, rooted on Tongan epistemologies, protocols and practice underpins this research. This framework informs the design of and provides the context for this research.

The research describes the cultural factors associated with motivations to gamble for Pacific peoples and how Pacific people demonstrate concepts of fundraising from their perspective and worldview. The study also discusses a public health approach to minimise and prevent gambling related harm and contributes to the growing research carried out on gambling effects within individuals, families and communities of Pacific peoples in New Zealand.