Background: Research and interventions co-designed by Pacific people, for Pacific people are critical to achieving health equity in Aotearoa New Zealand. A collaboration between the Pacific People's Health Advisory Group (Pacific community members from South Auckland), the Pacific Practice-Based Research Network (health professionals working in South Auckland), and Pacific University of Auckland researchers identified two health priorities that needed more research and community-led approaches: gout and rheumatic fever. The aim was to co-design, implement and evaluate interventions for Pacific communities related to gout and rheumatic fever.

Methods: The theoretical framework used in this research was the Fa’afaletui model. A series of co-design workshops were undertaken with the community and health professional groups to critically discuss existing interventions and start brainstorming new, innovative approaches. Interventions were prioritised by feasibility, cost, and impact. A panel of national Māori, Pacific and clinical experts provided advice on interventions.

Results: The community and health professional groups co-designed Pacific educational gout resources in the form of a short video, to be used in general practice settings, and accompanying brochures. All resources will be available in English, Samoan, Tongan, Cook Islands Māori, Fijian, Niuean and Tuvaluan. A randomised controlled trial is underway to test the effectiveness of these resources on understanding of gout. Simultaneously, the groups are currently designing a Pacific-led social media approach for rheumatic fever awareness.

Conclusion: This collaborative research highlights the importance of centring Pacific voices so that interventions can reflect lived experience and cultural relevance and ultimately lead to better health outcomes for Pacific people.