In a recent article16 I outlined that the scale and complexity of the challenges facing Pacific Island countries are significant, including climate change and the severe economic impacts of COVID19. With international travel and trade disrupted by the pandemic, we know that Pacific Island countries are facing tough times.
At the latest census, Pacific people made up 8.1% of population of Aotearoa.17 I am personally proud to be of Cook Islands descent. We know that Pacific people living in New Zealand send money home, or remittances, to support their family members. Pacific Island countries are some of the most remittance-reliant jurisdictions in the world.