7.5 Policy design for Pacific peoples Pacific perspectives are vital in successful initiatives to address the Pacific Pay Gap. Initiatives proposed solely by local government and other nationwide initiatives that do not include Pacific peoples fail to account for Pacific perspectives and miss opportunities to centre Pacific voices. The task posed to employers, policy shapers and local government is to truly include Pacific peoples, which includes embracing new framings of culture and practices.388 As Lopesi notes, while shifts may initially be uncomfortable, small steps towards achieving specific goals will contribute to a wider ability to address discrimination and inequality, moving away from individualistic attitudes to more communal-based, mutually reciprocated workplace environments where Pacific peoples may flourish.389 This is already taking place with the funding of resources and establishment of facilities that would provide the 54 space and capability to further support and mobilise Pacific workers and entrepreneurs.390 As a number of Pacific commentators have noted, if the government and employers were able to understand the strength in collectivist Pacific values such as reciprocity and respect, the Pacific community would be better able to empower themselves as a collective through shared community building.391 Drawing on Pacific perspectives encourages community-driven solutions informed through Pacific values and strengths.392 Ensuring Pacific voices are centred would also see the emergence of more Pacific leaders and employers. Again, it would require a collective of ideas and perspectives within the community, acknowledging that no one single body may provide the single answer in addressing the social disparities Pacific peoples face from the Pacific Pay Gap.393 Given that 388 Lopesi, Lana. “When Worlds Collide: Pacific Ideas of Success in New Zealand’s Workforce.” Flint & Steel 6 (2020). https:// flintandsteelmag.com/article/when-worlds-collide/. 389 Lopesi, “When Worlds Collide.” 390 Tuatagaloa, Penelope. Exploring Pacific Entrepreneurship: The Characteristics and Experiences of Pacific Entrepreneurs in Auckland. Auckland: Auckland City Council, 2017, 40-41. https://knowledgeauckland.org.nz/media/1138/tr2017-010exploring-pacific-entrepreneurship.pdf; Auckland Co-design Lab, The Attitude Gap Challenge, 90-91; Pacific Business Trust, A Pacific Sole Trader’s Landscape. Auckland: Pacific Business Trust, 17. 391 Vui-Talitu, “The Pacific’s Contribution to the NZ Economy”; Radio New Zealand. “Damon Salesa: Our Pacific Future.” Sunday Morning (podcast), December 10, 2017, accessed July 12, 2021. https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday/ audio/2018624858/damon-salesa-our-pacific-future. 392 Ministry for Pacific Peoples, Pacific Aotearoa Lalanga Fou, 54. 393 Ministry for Pacific Peoples. Project Tatapu Feasibility Study. Wellington: Ministry for Pacific Peoples, 2016, 2. https://www.mpp. govt.nz/assets/Reports/Project-Tatapu-Feasibility-Study.pdf; Ministry for Pacific Peoples, Pacific Aotearoa Lalanga Fou, 54.