Background

Food insecurity in Aotearoa New Zealand is considered a significant public health paradox, in which high-volume food production coexists with rising rates of food insufficiency. In South Auckland, Pacific communities face a disproportionate burden of food insecurity, a trend driven by the intersection of political economy and environmental determinants. Globalised, export-oriented food systems and a high spatial density of unhealthy food environments, often referred to as "food swamps", have intensified structural inequities. This study investigates expert perspectives on the South Auckland food system to identify the drivers of these health disparities.

Methods

This qualitative study adopts Pacific-indigenous methodologies, specifically the Kakala framework and Talanoa, to capture stakeholder insights. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven experts across the community, policy, and health sectors. Data were analysed using thematic analysis to map the social and structural determinants of food access. Collaborative coding with Pacific researchers ensured that the analysis of environmental stressors remained contextually grounded in the lived realities of South Auckland.

Results

Findings identify a "syndemic" of food insecurity driven by macro-level political economy, including price volatility and trade policies prioritising exports over local food sovereignty. Simultaneously, built-environment factors act as environmental risk regulators, facilitating a nutrition transition toward diet-related non-communicable diseases. However, community-led, culturally grounded initiatives were identified as vital social capital and protective factors. These "mana-enhancing" strategies provide a blueprint for disrupting structural violence within the food system and fostering community resilience.

Conclusion

Addressing food insecurity requires shifting from individual-level interventions toward transformative systemic change. A social epidemiological framework underscores the need to align urban planning and national trade policies with health equity goals. Strengthening indigenous-led food systems offers a strategic pathway to mitigate the environmental and political drivers of health inequality for Pacific populations.