95bFM First nationwide Pacific LGBTQIA+ wellbeing survey in Aotearoa receives funding
22 August, 2022
By Stella Huggins
Principal investigator Seuta'afili Dr Patrick Thomsen says Pacific communities are at higher risk of experiencing health and wellbeing challenges, and so are queer and Rainbow communities. Photo: The Manalagi Project.
The Manalagi Project, the first nationwide survey dedicated to the health and wellbeing of Pacific Rainbow+ communities in Aotearoa, has received Health Research Council funding.
The three-year project is aiming to co-design a more effective and culturally appropriate framework for the community's health and wellbeing needs after listening widely to people's experiences with the current health system.
Principal investigator Seuta'afili Dr Patrick Thomsen told 95bFM's The Wire that New Zealand has started to recognise the systemic and institutional factors affecting the well-being of Pacific peoples but that very little has been done to understand the impact of marginalisation, racism, heterosexism, transphobia, etc. on people who identify as both Pacific and queer.
"Pacific communities are at higher risk of experiencing more health and wellbeing challenges, and so are queer and rainbow communities. They have an increased risk of mental health issues and less likelihood of accessing health care support."
Research Assistant, Allyssa Verner-Pula, told The Wire that the project is also interested in learning about people's general wellbeing experiences with their church, community, friends, and family.
"What is going well for our communities, and also the things we need to recommend to help our communities thrive."
Green Party MP Dr Elizabeth Kerekere, a Manalagi Project ambassador, is calling on the suggestions made through the survey to be implemented into government policy.
"With the health system making so many changes at the moment, we are hopeful that the Manalagi Project can help inform how we make the health system better."
Pacific people identifying as Rainbow+, MVPFAFF+, or queer, and their family, friends, and allies 15 years and older are being asked to participate in the survey, which closes on 31 August.
There will be a set of questions for Pacific Rainbow+ peoples and a different set of questions for family, friends, and allies.
Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
