Lay summary
High blood pressure (BP) is a leading risk factor contributing to premature and preventable death in Aotearoa, New Zealand (NZ). Clinical management of high BP currently focuses on medication, yet long-term dietary salt reduction can significantly lower BP regardless of initial BP status, sex, ethnic group, or use of BP-lowering medication. We propose using qualitative research methods to contextualise a brief, evidence-based, dietary salt intervention in the NZ healthcare system. Recognising that the context may differ for those traditionally underserved by our healthcare system, we will undertake focus groups separately with Māori whānau, and Pasifika and South Asian families. Our aim is to understand the belief frameworks around salt in the diet, the barriers and enablers to reducing salt intake (including in the healthcare system), and whether any existing brief interventions currently used in other countries and settings could empower dietary salt reduction in whānau and families in NZ.