8 Concluding reflections: towards an equitable future This review of the literature has firmly established that the Pacific Pay Gap contributes to social inequity for Pacific communities, and addressing the Pacific Pay Gap is an urgent and necessary step to ensure that Pacific peoples can benefit from the growing economy they contribute to through both paid and unpaid labour. Typically, interventions to address the disparities experienced by Pacific workers have focused on improving their educational outcomes and promoting diversification in the forms of paid work that they engage in. However, while these measures will help, the systemic discrimination and racism to which they are subjected to and that has been a central focus of this literature review also needs to be tackled in order to close the Pacific Pay Gap. Pacific peoples experience racism and discrimination not only in the focus industries of the Pacific Pay Gap Inquiry but also more broadly within the labour market. New Zealand has benefited from the colonisation of the Pacific by creating, and continuing to influence, education systems that limit 56 Pacific peoples to low-skilled jobs. The 1950s–1980s saw New Zealand capitalise on this by ‘importing’ cheap Pacific labour, which has contributed to the Pacific Pay Gap over time. The cumulative effects of occupational segregation, low pay and little or no opportunity to upskill have prevented social mobility for Pacific peoples. Existing employment schemes such as the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme continue this unfair labour transaction. Despite significant evidence of Pacific peoples experiencing racism in their jobs, there remain few accessible avenues for addressing this. The Pacific Pay Gap is complex in nature, and it is urgent that interventions are made across multiple arenas. There are international models for addressing wider pay gaps, but any implemented within Aotearoa New Zealand need to be adapted to this particular context. Most importantly, Pacific peoples’ voices need to be included in any solutions developed to close the Pacific Pay Gap.