Executive Summary Pacific communities in Aotearoa New Zealand benefit from rich histories and cultures. Service and care for others is foundational to the way Pacific peoples live their lives and aspire to the future. Pacific cultures and human rights are not foreign to each other. Rather, Pacific cultures and human rights share common principles and values that have shaped the societies we live in today. These are principles and values based on equality, dignity, family, protection of vulnerable people, fairness and participation. In Aotearoa New Zealand, Pacific peoples have historically contributed to the local manufacturing and primary production economy. However, their contribution has long been unrecognised and instead they have been subjected to inequitable treatment by successive governments, such as being disproportionately targeted for deportations. In 2020, lockdowns to reduce the spread of COVID-19 led to workplace closedowns, from which families lost income. Community groups were also required to stop congregational activities. In response, Pacific communities developed safe methods of getting food and other resources to affected families. The Commission has worked with Pacific communities, organisations and agencies in the last few years to understand their key human rights issues. In addition, the international human rights system has been interested in the rights of Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand. Below are the key themes discussed in this Talanoa report. Families Families are the core institution that Pacific peoples identify with. Children’s exposure to the stresses of family hardship and family violence is increasingly concerning. Being safe from violence as well as equitable wages and working conditions are human rights issues facing Pacific people, particularly women. In recent years, Pacific communities have grappled with acceptance of people with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities and expressions and other characteristics (SOGIESCs), in contrast to traditional church teachings which have been critical of these people. In addition, as life expectancies increase, a greater focus on aged care and dignity in older age is emerging in Pacific communities. Wellbeing Pacific communities take wellbeing to heart. Low wages have maintained families and communities but have resulted in both housing and health issues as well as insecure work tenures. Pacific workers also report discrimination in the workplace and are calling for support to understand their rights. At the same time, Pacific young people aspire to achieve well at school, and educational outcomes have steadily improved in the last 20 years. The numbers of people maintaining heritage languages and cultural traditions continues to be strong. Climate Change Communities are concerned about the impact of climate change on families in the Pacific Islands. The main human rights issues include the rights of people to derive both sustenance and income from fishing, as well as the rights of nations to determine their own boundaries. The Commission would like to see Government, civilsociety and communities work together to support Pacific peoples’ aspirations for better futures and address human rights issues. A good starting point is an appropriate and responsive framework for human rights, to be established in talanoa with Pacific communities. It can then be applied to the areas of policy, regulation and practice that currently cause human rights issues for Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand. 3