Goldsmith 'taking stock' of Pacific ministry but specialist focus still needed

Pacific peoples Minister Paul Goldsmith says he's taking stock of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples' (MPP) role.

In his first interview with William Terite on Pacific Mornings, Goldsmith says he is looking at whether the ministry should mainly act as an expert advisory body across government or continue to directly deliver Pacific-focused programmes.

“I’m just coming into the portfolio, having a look at that and thinking ‘well what’s the best approach’ and we’ll take stock on that,” Goldsmith says.

“But there will always be definitely the need and the requirement and the opportunity for some specialist focus within the government service for Pacifica people.”

When asked what Pacific communities should expect in practical terms, Goldsmith did not commit to any specific outcomes or timelines.

Watch Paul Goldsmith's full interview below.

The MPP has been under significant pressure in recent years with deep funding and staffing cuts across the last two Budgets.

Budget 2024 reduced Vote Pacific Peoples funding from about $116.2 million to $90.2 million, a drop of roughly $26 million. Around 40 per cent of staff were also cut.

Further reductions followed in Budget 2025 including another $36 million in cuts and the closure of the Tauola Business Fund. This included scaled-back employment and reconciliation programmes.

Budget 2024 reduced Vote Pacific Peoples funding from about $116.2 million to $90.2 million, a drop of roughly $26 million. Photo/Supplied

Asked whether MPP could be folded into a larger ministry, Goldsmith said it was too early to say what would happen from his perspective.

“The exact arrangements of how things are going to be, well, they’re never set in stone forever," he says.

"Obviously every government needs to take stock and have a think about how things are structured but there's no doubt in my mind, like I say, somewhere in the system there does need to be that centre of expertise.”

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has previously ruled out MPP being merged with another agency this term.

Forme Pacific Peoples Minister Aupito William Sio. Photo/Supplied

Former Pacific Minister and Labour MP Aupito William Sio says the Prime Minister’s assurance may not be permanent amid ongoing cuts and restructuring pressures.

He says specialist ministries need long-term protection, not short-term political decisions.

“I think it might be a pause, but I think it’s also timely because I think people are concerned about it, particularly from our community,” Aupito told Terite.

“They’re wondering whether this government values Pacific peoples at all. We know that there isn’t a strong advocacy voice within this government, so I think it will buy him [Luxon] time to consider the optics of it.”

Recently, Rosemary Bourke was named as the National candidate for Māngere for the November election, along with Agnes Loheni standing in Waitākere for National and Angee Nicholas will be making a bid for the Henderson seat

Goldsmith says the reality is that currently the National caucus doesn’t have a Pacifica person.

"That’s a real pity, most of the time I’ve been in Parliament we have had some excellent (Pacific) MPs. So my message to viewers is if you want more Pacifica MPs in the National Party, we need more party votes so we can get more people in.”