New Zealand's Pacific population comprises at least 13 distinct and vibrant languages and cultural groups and includes people born in New Zealand and in the Pacific Islands.
Outcomes for Pacific peoples in a number of areas are showing positive signs of improvement.
From a Corrections perspective, in most cases the proportion of Pacific nations that make up the prison population is similar to their proportion in the general population.
As a collective, there is a slightly higher proportion of Pacific prisoners serving sentences for violent and sexual offences in comparison to European and Māori prisoners.
On the other hand however, Pacific offenders also have a lower average risk of reconviction than do European or Māori offenders.
The Pacific Strategy 2008-2013 provides guidance and focus areas for all staff in all groups and services.
Māori and Pacific Policy Manager Uarnie More and National Adviser Pacific, Leatuavao Viko Aufaga agree the Pacific Strategy strongly reinforces the Department's vision statement: Improving public safety by ensuring sentence compliance and reducing re-offending, through capable staff and effective partnerships.
"The plan will guide all Corrections staff who together, have a role in ensuring Pacific sentence compliance and reducing Pacific re-offending," says Viko.
Uarnie says, "We have to continue to enhance relationships with Pacific communities to ensure that the work we do, and the way we work, contributes to improving outcomes for Pacific offenders."
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ISSN 1178-8453