Strengthening palliative care pathways for Pacific peoples
A team co-led by researchers from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington and AUT has received $1.2 million in funding from the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) to lead a project that advances the wellbeing of Pasifika communities in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Awarded through the 2026 HRC project grants, senior research fellow (Pacific) Dr Marianna Churchward and Auckland University of Technology lecturer and research fellow Dr Amy Henry will lead a three-year initiative focusing on improving palliative care for Pacific peoples. It is titled What matters most in palliative care for Pacific families and in what context?
“We are thrilled to be awarded this HRC grant that provides an opportunity to understand what is important in palliative care for Pacific peoples,” says Marianna.
“Palliative care supports people with life-limiting conditions and their families, yet Pacific communities face significant barriers to accessing timely and culturally appropriate care.”
Dean of the Faculty of Education, Health, and Psychological Sciences Professor David Harper congratulated the recipients: “I am delighted to see this research recognised through the 2026 Project Grants. The awards highlight the strength of research grounded in partnership with communities and driven by equity. This work will make a tangible difference for individuals, whānau, and communities across Aotearoa.”
Despite a preference for home-based care, Pacific peoples are more likely to rely on emergency and hospital services at the end of life, leading to higher costs and poorer experiences. These challenges are expected to worsen as the Pacific population ages and chronic illness rates rise.
The group’s research will use a mixed-methods approach, combining interviews with Pacific families and clinicians, analysis of national health data, and community workshops.
“Guided by the Tivaevae methodology, our study will employ a sequential mixed-method design, starting with qualitative data collection and progressing to a quantitative phase to enhance the understanding of the initial findings,” says Amy.
“The synthesis of qualitative and quantitative data will inform a model of care co-created in co-design workshops.”
The project will co-develop a Pacific Palliative Care model which will aim to reduce inequities, improve care pathways, and ensure services align with Pacific values and preferences, while also informing policy and strengthening national palliative care.
“Our methodologies are chosen for their alignment with Pacific values, fostering trust and ensuring our findings resonate within the communities involved,” says Marianna.
This innovative study will be the first of its kind to focus on the palliative care needs of Pacific peoples in New Zealand with a mixed methods approach.
Find out more about research at Te Puna Hauora—School of Health here.