Takoha case study: Mana Pasifika

This case study uses the Takoha framework as an analytical tool to showcase the Mana Pasifika approach to support overall health and wellbeing. Mana Pasifika was launched to address the psychosocial impact of the Covid-19 lockdown for Pacific peoples living in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Takoha is a tool to understand if and how we are making a difference to the health and wellbeing of all New Zealanders. It links together health promotion activity and the vision of Pae Ora, which defines healthy futures for Māori and all New Zealanders.

Mana Pasifika

In April 2020, Te Whatu Ora Health Promotion (formerly Te Hiringa Hauora) was tasked with developing a social campaign to address the psychosocial impacts of the first Covid-19 lockdown for Pacific peoples. The social campaign became Mana Pasifika. Over the years, this campaign has evolved to become a Health and Wellbeing approach for Pacific peoples living in New Zealand.
Mana Pasifika takes a strengths-based and rights-based approach that is grounded in Pacific values of respect, alofa (love), acts of service, aiga (family), and building relationships with communities at the centre. 

Key themes

A one-to-one talanoa session was held with the Pacific partners about how to amplify the voices of communities through Mana Pasifika. The case study highlights the following:

• Intentional partnerships are vital to Pacific peoples as a collective 
• Mana Pasifika is a form of expression for Pacific peoples 
• Indigenising and decolonising health promotion processes better serve Pacific communities 
• Representation matters for Pacific peoples 
• The vā is very significant for Pacific peoples when working together 
• Power dynamics must be addressed “to be all in the same fale” 
• Community voice is an integral part of Mana Pasifika 
• Culturally safe practices are critical when engaging with Pacific peoples.