ABSTRACT
The New Zealand older adult population (aged 65+ years) is growing at a faster rate than the younger population, with many of those in the later years living much longer. The proportion of older Pacific people is forecast to reach 4.1% of the country’s total population within the next two decades, highlighting the importance of research focused on ageing Pacific populations. This article sets out the research protocol and methods for the Pacific Islands Families: Healthy Pacific Grandparents’ Study, which aims to investigate older Pacific people’s viewpoints on ageing to identify specific cultural values, perspectives and understandings as the Pacific population in New Zealand ages. The study will recruit and utilize participants from a grandparent cohort that is nested within the families of the longitudinal Pacific Islands Families Study. This study uses a Participatory Action Research approach to position the participants in a leadership role where they are co-researchers involved in both the research and the implementation of recommendations. Utilizing a transformative research process will bring older Pacific people together to define for themselves their needs and their experiences, identify any areas of shortcoming, and support the implementation of solutions through strategic and informed actions.
Notes on contributors
Ofa Dewes has a PhD in Public Health and is Affiliate Investigator of the Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery and Research Fellow at the School of Nursing, University of Auckland. Her research interests include Pacific ethnic-specific studies across the life-span, especially in health equity, obesity and type 2 diabetes. She is Fiji-born of Rotuman, Tongan and Tuvaluan ethnicity, with affiliation to Ngati Porou.
Leon Iusitini is a researcher in the Centre for Pacific Health & Development in the School of Public Health & Psychosocial Studies in the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences at Auckland University of Technology. He has research interests in public health, psychology, political science, and Pacific peoples in New Zealand. He is currently undertaking doctoral studies.
Stephen Neville is Head of Department (Nursing) and Co-Director of the Centre for Active Ageing at Auckland University of Technology. His research platform is marginalized populations and health workforce development, with a focus on the social aspects of ageing, sexual minority groups, men’s health, and supporting the development of an appropriate workforce to support the health and well-being of marginalized groups.
Janis Paterson is Co-Director of the National Institute for Public Health and Mental Health Research in the School of Public Health & Psychosocial Studies at Auckland University of Technology. Professor Paterson is a developmental psychologist and plays a central role in building research collaborations and in the growth and development of a variety of research areas that are aligned with community and government priorities.
El-Shadan Tautolo has a PhD in Public Health and is a Senior Research Fellow and Director for the Centre for Pacific Health & Development in the School of Public Health & Psychosocial Studies at Auckland University of Technology. His areas of research expertise are Pacific health, public health, tobacco control, and longitudinal study design and analysis. He is of Samoan and Cook Islands heritage, and passionate about improving the health and well-being of Pacific communities in NZ.
Wendy Wrapson has a PhD in Psychology and is a Senior Research Fellow in the National Institute for Public Health and Mental Health Research in the School of Public Health & Psychosocial Studies at Auckland University of Technology. Her research is focused on the health and well-being of older people and encompasses both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
Valerie A. Wright-St Clair is based in the Department of Occupational Science and Therapy, and is Co-director of the Centre for Active Ageing at Auckland University of Technology. Her research projects span studies in social gerontology, including the relationship between older Māori and non-Māori preferred activities and health, older immigrants’ community participation, community inclusiveness and loneliness, and quality outcomes in residential aged care.