Formats
Kapasa is a tool for policy makers to incorporate the needs, values, aspirations, and experiences of Pacific peoples in the generic policy development process. Policies, programmes and services will be more effective if the worldviews and values of the groups they affect are considered in the policy process.
Kapasa is a practical tool that challenges and helps us all to think about how to include data and information about Pacific peoples in our analysis. It highlights ways to take account of Pacific values, experiences, diversity and strengths, and also to ensure effective engagement of Pacific people in policy development and implementation.
'Kapasa' is the Tongan (pronounced Kāpasa) and Samoan (pronounced 'Tapasā' or colloquially 'Kapasā') translation for compass. Compass is called Kabasi in Fiji and Kamapasi in Niue. Kapasa echoes how our Pacific ancestors successfully navigated their way across the Pacific Ocean. Kapasa is used as a metaphor to represent policy navigation in a diverse society like New Zealand.
The Kapasa refresh#
In December 2021, the Ministry for Pacific Peoples launched the refreshed and updated version of Kapasa – the Pacific Policy Analysis Tool. New improvements to Kapasa include:
- updates to the journey of Pacific peoples in New Zealand
- additional resources for well-known Pacific frameworks, models and approaches.
You can download the full booklet and the A3 ‘pull out’ version of the Kapasa tool below.
The Ministry has also released a new Kapasa e-learning module so that users can become more familiar with how to apply the tool in their own space and time.
See the Ministry for Pacific Peoples' webpage Kapasa for further information.