Title: Making a difference for Pacific people in Aotearoa - New Zealand : links between policy advice and delivery of services

Abstract: In order to address the links and dovetailing between the policy makers and those who work at the operational level, it is necessary to contextualise the role of the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs (MPIA) – where it has come from, where it is now, and where it is possibly heading in the future. Within this context, the author discusses one specific priority stream that the Ministry has identified – that is, the education sector, where the main focus of her work as a senior policy advisor is. This discussion paper does not profess to have all the answers, and neither does the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs. However, it does bring a fresh approach to addressing some long term disparities and gaps between Pacific and non-Pacific people that continue to undermine Pacific peoples’ well-being in Aotearoa and have not been successfully addressed through mainstream government agencies or ministries.