Lay summary
The Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) is a longitudinal study that provides a contemporary, population-relevant picture of what it is like to be a child growing up in New Zealand in the 21st century. The study has found that children born to Maori and Pacific mothers experienced the greatest cumulative exposure to vulnerability during the first 1000 days of their development. By examining data from the Pacific cohort from pregnancy, risk factors (vulnerability) associations and pathways between risk and positive outcomes will be explored to examine resilience factors among Pasifika children and their families. A qualitative research methodology will be incorporated to explore Pasifika understanding and interpretations of resilience to ensure the data captured is reflective of a Pasifika context of resiliency. A model of Pasifika child wellbeing will hopefully help to inform future policy and practice that is strengths-based, proactive and prevention focused.