Pacific ministry faces uncertain future as Government weighs programme changes

The future of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) is coming into sharper focus with the Government signalling that some programmes could be folded into wider services as part of a cost-cutting review.

Speaking during Parliament's Scrutiny Week, Pacific Peoples Minister Paul Goldsmith confirmed work is underway on a performance plan aimed at reducing costs across the ministry, with a final proposal due to Treasury next month before going to Cabinet.

The review comes as the Government seeks savings across the public sector while working to return the books to surplus.

Goldsmith said the ministry's workforce has already reduced from 138 staff to 84, and further changes are being considered as part of a wider review of its operations.

He said the Government still sees a role for MPP but signalled a stronger focus on policy advice rather than direct service delivery.

"The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a modest-sized ministry," Goldsmith said.

Pacific communities gather at a cultural festival. Proposed changes to the Ministry for Pacific Peoples have sparked debate about the future of dedicated Pacific services and representation within government. Photo/Supplied

He told MPs that some programmes currently run by the ministry could eventually be integrated into wider government services.

"The ministry is running a series of programmes funded in the past, some of which will continue, some of which will be folded into more general government programmes as time progresses," he said.

Goldsmith also suggested some functions could be shared with other agencies as the review continues. "There are some operations that can be shared with other ministries."

The Government is reviewing the Ministry of Pacific Peoples' operations as part of wider cost-saving measures, with some programmes potentially to be folded into broader government services. Photo/Supplied

His comments have raised concerns among some Pacific leaders and opposition politicians, who fear dedicated Pacific services could be weakened if they are absorbed into larger government departments.

Former Labour MP and the party's Papakura candidate, Anahila Kanongata'a, says Pacific communities need strong representation inside government, particularly as many families continue to face cost-of-living pressures.

In an interview with William Terite on Pacific Mornings, she argues that reducing the ministry's role risks weakening the Pacific voice in decision-making.

Kanongata'a said the proposed changes appear to be part of a wider effort to reduce the ministry's influence across government.

"They want to delete the ministry and dilute the voice of Pacific people in other government organisations," she said.

She believes dedicated Pacific-focused services remain important because they are designed around the needs and experiences of Pacific communities.

Watch Anahila Kanongata'a's full interview below.

The Government has not yet announced which programmes could be affected, with the review process still underway.

Any final recommendations will be considered by Cabinet after the performance plan is submitted to Treasury on 29 July.

But questions remain over what the changes will mean for Pacific communities and whether services delivered through MPP will continue in their current form or be absorbed into larger government agencies.