Inequities and perspectives from the COVID-Delta outbreak: The imperative for strengthening the Pacific nursing workforce in Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract

The COVID-19 Delta August 2021 outbreak in Aotearoa New Zealand initially affected Pacific communities more than any other group, spreading later and rapidly to Māori. From the outset of the global pandemic, historical knowledge of health inequities and the adverse effect of previous epidemics and pandemics, signaled that Pacific peoples, and Māori, would be disproportionately affected by COVID-19. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to Pacific communities and to begin to capture the learnings for the health system and the Pacific nursing workforce. We use data to show the inequities present before and during the pandemic and highlight the opportunities that were missed early on for prioritising Pacific communities. As nurse leaders, involved with supporting and promoting the Pacific nursing workforce, we reflect on the nursing response to COVID-19 in those Pacific communities, and consider the contribution of Pacific nurses and how we support and strengthen the Pacific nursing workforce in Aotearoa now and in the future.