A new $6 million Pacific Innovation Fund has been announced in the Budget to improve the health of Pasifika people.
Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia says the fund recognises the need to design responsive services across health, education, housing, justice and social services, employment and lifestyle.
She says the fund will draw on operating spending and be invested over four years.
It is to be aligned to the vision of Whanau Ora for Pasifika people and support them to develop their own solutions to issues in distinct communities.
Among the objectives of the fund are to implement models of care that are responsive to Pacifika people; evaluate Pasifika health outcomes; promote sustainable Pacifika service delivery systems with family-centred approaches; and improve health.