ABSTRACT
In Aotearoa | NZ, approximately one in six women experiences infertility during their life. The median childbearing age for Pacific women in Aotearoa | NZ is 27.5 years compared to 31 years for the general population, and Pacific women have a higher fertility rate of 2.19 live births per woman compared to 1.75 for the total population. Despite these statistics infertility is a growing health and social issue for Pacific peoples in Aotearoa | NZ. While there are multiple factors influencing this concern, little is known about the experiences of Pacific peoples utilising assisted reproductive technologies as a pathway to family creation. This chapter sheds light on the some of the barriers and disparities Pacific Islander women experience accessing fertility treatment in Aotearoa | NZ. A total of eight Pacific women participated in this study. A qualitative approach using the talanoa research method was employed. Four key themes were identified in the dataset including family, spiritual, cultural and fertility care barriers. Together, these themes represent intersecting axes of influence, illuminating the various ways participants encountered challenges accessing assisted reproductive technologies. To offset these challenges, we propose recommendations to improve access to fertility treatment for Pacific peoples in Aotearoa | NZ.
