“Despite the limited attention given to Rainbow+ health in Aotearoa, what research we do have paints a bleak picture. The Manalagi Project asks “What happens when experiences of Pacific and Rainbow- marginalization intersect?”
Funded by the Health Research Council New Zealand, the Manalagi Project is the first research project to survey Pacific Rainbow= health and well-being nationwide. Lead by Seuta’afili Patrick Thomsen as Principal Investigator, the Manalagi Project was developed in consultation with Pacific Rainbow= communities to survey and talanoa their experiences of health and well-being and generate data that can contribute to better health outcomes for Pacific Rainbow+ communities.
In 2022, the Manalagi survey reached 750 Pacific Rainbow+ individuals and allies across Aotearoa. the survey investigated key areas of demographics, mental and physical health, healthcare experiences as well as family, community and cultural identity. The survey instrument was crafted in tandem with the community through extensive consultation in 2021 in order to capture a holistic picture of Pacific Rainbow+ health and wellbeing.
“Our community members knew inherently that surveys did not resonate with Pacific communities in general… They wanted the Manalagi Survey to be as short as possible, and that the survey needed to be flexible”
In 2023, the Manalagi team moved onto the talanoa phase to gather qualitative data on pacific Rainbow+ health and wellbeing, interviewing 64 participants across the nation. To date, the project already yielded a community report showcasing data from the survey and bringing recommendations to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for Pacific Rainbow+ peoples. More publications are on the way.
“Health professionals are currently ill-equipped to best support our communities. there needs to be training in areas of cultural competency and ways to also affirm the Rainbow+ identity and experiences of our communities”.