Lay summary
Injuries are the leading cause of death and hospitalisation in New Zealand children. Tamariki Māori and Pacific children have high rates of injury but are less likely to receive ACC support compared with Pākehā children, and their parents report numerous unmet needs and challenges accessing post-trauma care. The Pae Ora legislation and National Trauma Network highlight the urgent need to address such inequities. Discharge plans can serve as critical conduits for this but we lack a national benchmark. Using a health equity lens, this study will (1) describe current approaches to post-trauma discharge planning and referrals to ambulatory and community-based services; (2) review paediatric trauma discharge planning guides and models of care; and (3) engage with Māori and Pacific providers to explore how Whānau Ora and Pacific wellbeing principles can overcome current challenges. Collectively, this research will help develop models of care that can support equitable recovery of injured children.