Pacific–Indigenous eldercare in Aotearoa New Zealand: A culturally responsive research protocol

Abstract

Family-based eldercare is a vital contributor to the wellbeing of older people and the economy of Aotearoa New Zealand. Yet, little is known about how cultural shifts have impacted traditional caregiving practices among Pacific peoples, par ticularly the needs of aiga (families) to sustain care for mātua (Mātua and Elder are terms used interchangeably in reference to Pacific Mātua (Elders)). This article presents a Pacific–Indigenous research protocol that is intrinsically co-designed and participatory, enabling a deep investigation into family, community, and church perspectives on eldercare. Grounded in the methodologies of fa’afaletui (collective wisdom gathering) and talanoa (relational dialogue), the protocol provides a cultur ally grounded lens to: (a) identify eldercare practices that contribute to the health and wellbeing of Pacific mātua and their carers; (b) examine the impact of cultural and contextual change on caregiving practices; and (c) detail the socio-cultural and material supports needed to sustain Pacific caregiving. Churches, functioning as cultural villages in the diaspora, serve as key sites for engagement and validation. This protocol affirms Pacific values and relational ethics, offering a transformative framework for co-creating community-led solutions that support ageing in place and inform inclusive eldercare policy and practice. It contributes to the develop ment of culturally responsive strategies that honour Indigenous knowledge systems and strengthen intergenerational wellbeing across Pacific communities.