9. Question No. 9—Social DevelopmentANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour) to the Minister for Social DevelopmentQuestion No. 9—Social Development9. ANAHILA KANONGATA'A-SUISUIKI (Labour) to the Minister for Social Development: What initiatives has she recently launched to support the Ministry of Social Development to work better with Pacific clients families and communities?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI (Minister for Social Development): On Thursday last week I launched the Ministry of Social Development's (MSD's) first Pacific strategy titled Pacific Prosperity - Our People Our Solutions Our Future. This comes following the establishment of MSD's Pacific steering and reference groups which I announced in February this year. The strategy is aspirational with the vision of Pacific peoples families and communities thriving and flourishing in Aotearoa. Pacific Prosperity acknowledges the unique way of engaging with Pacific people families and communities. This includes building relationships based on a journey and not just a transaction. The strategy will be used to guide and inform MSD's future policy agenda and will provide opportunities for MSD to work with and empower Pacific peoples across Aotearoa.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: How will the strategy support better responsiveness to Pacific peoples?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: Pacific Prosperity supports MSD's key strategic shifts under Te Pae Tawhiti—which are ensuring a positive experience every time partnering for greater impact and supporting long-term social and economic development—by putting these into a context that is responsive to the needs and interests of Pacific people families and communities. The strategy includes high-level actions—for example ensuring Pacific people and families have access to suitable communication platforms Pacific staff have equitable access to learning opportunities and advancement and Pacific community capability is built and enhanced. A more detailed action plan is being worked up by MSD who continue to work closely with other key Government departments and community stakeholders.Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki: Why is this important?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: Pacific people are a growing and important part of New Zealand's social fabric. However we also know that outcomes for Pacific people are in need of improvement. Although the numbers of Pacific people on benefit are fairly proportionate to the population we know that Pacific people experience the lowest median income. They also do not experience the same level of sustainability from employment when exiting benefit compared to their non-Pacific counterparts. This strategy acknowledges that we need to work better with our Pacific people and that the way that we offer services has not always been fit for purpose to lift Pacific outcomes. The strategy also acknowledges the need to leverage better the skills and diversity of the 16.4 percent of Pacific staff that work for MSD. This diversity is a huge strength for MSD and the work they do. Pacific prosperity aligns with this Government's commitment to improve wellbeing for all New Zealanders and in particular our focus on improving outcomes for Māori and Pacific.Hon Louise Upston: Why has the number of Pacific people on the dole increased by 30 percent since Labour took office the highest of any ethnic group and almost three times the rate of New Zealand European?Hon CARMEL SEPULONI: As previously said in the House there is no such thing as the dole in our welfare system. Also as I said previously in the House there was a lack of investment under the previous Government in housing but also a lack of investment into upskilling and training for New Zealanders in general but particularly Māori and Pacific. Perhaps the stats that that member cited is a direct consequence of their Government's lack of investment.