Characterizing the health experience of Tuvaluan migrants in Auckland, New Zealand

Abstract

Purpose It is predicted that increasing numbers of citizens of the Pacific Island nation of Tuvalu will migrate to New Zealand in the coming decades due to the threat of climate change. Tuvaluans currently living in New Zealand face disparities in income, education and health. This study aims to understand the views of recent Tuvaluan immigrants to Auckland, New Zealand on health behaviors, health care and immigration. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews and participant observation using a focused ethnography methodology. Findings Participants explained that Tuvaluans in New Zealand do not fully use primary care services, have a poorer diet and physical activity compared to those living in Tuvalu, and struggle to maintain well-paying, full-time employment. Practical implications As Tuvaluan immigration to New Zealand continues, it will be important to educate the Tuvaluan community about the role of primary health-care services and healthy behaviors, facilitate the current process of immigration and provide job training to recent immigrants to improve their opportunities for full-time employment and ensure cultural survival in the face of the threat of climate change. Originality/value This paper contributes to a greater understanding of the challenges to be faced by Tuvaluan environmental migrants in the future and features a high proportion of study participants who migrated due to climate change.

Climatic and Environmental Change, Migration, and Health

“…People who move in response to climate impacts can experience health risks (and potentially opportunities), such as limited access to health care, increased incidence of water-and foodborne diseases, mental health risks, threats to sexual and reproductive health, disrupted social networks, loss of place attachment, skin diseases, and food insecurity, during transit and in sites of settlement (11,14,24,36,49,52,75,84,93,95). Several recent empirical studies examine the health risks and opportunities among people who migrate, either permanently or as seasonal labor migrants, during or following climatic and weather-related threats, including drought, flooding, riverbank erosion, and cyclones (10,25,28,59,60,62,67,90,96).…”