The collective presentations of this symposium provide an overview of the evolving Pacific- indigenous notions of health and wellbeing for Pacific-diasporic kainga/aiga (family) families now living in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Consequently, the relevance to the conference is in its alignment with overall themes particularly ‘Creating inclusive cultures and healthy communities’ and ‘knowledge for sustainable futures.’

Presenter 1: Sesimani Havea (PhD Candidate, School of Psychology)
There is limited knowledge of how Pacific-indigenous approaches can aid efforts to curtail violence within the kainga (extended family). This presentation will discuss aspects of the inaugural use of the Tongan conceptual framework of Fofola e fala ka e talanoa e kainga (laying out the mat so families can dialogue) as part of the faith-based Kainga Tu’umalie (prosperous families) family violence intervention and prevention programme. Fofola e fala symbolises a place of safety and refuge for every member of the kainga to freely express their feelings. Given their depth of cultural knowledge and involvement in the development of this programme seven faith-based community leaders were engaged in talanoa (Pacific- indigenous way of dialogue and discussion). Their accounts form the core basis of analysis which highlights the significance of Kainga Tu’umalie as a violence prevention programme for Tongan families. Of key consideration in this presentation is the importance of Tongan- indigenous approaches to reducing family violence that draw from a combination of traditional cultural knowledge and Christian values that are central to the realities of being Tongan today.

Presenter 2: Rochelle Nafatali (DClinPsych Candidate, School of Psychology)
Initial evidence suggests that the prevalence rate of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) within New Zealand (NZ) Pacific-indigenous (PI) communities is likely to be 1.1% (>1,000 children). However, these figures are presumed to be underestimates due to issues such as underdiagnosis. Furthermore, funding for early intervention and long-term support in NZ relies on official diagnosis and needs assessment, yet PI diagnosis and disability support

service access rates are consistently low (around 7%). These challenges highlight the need to understand the narratives and lived experiences of PI ASD families to help bridge the gaps. One important aspect of lived experience is the transfer of traditional language and culture within NZ PI autism families despite communication challenges. This presentation summarises research which sought to illuminate language strategies that worked for PI autism families, and to record parents’ lived experiences of raising a PI autistic child. The findings represent an important contribution to the future design and implementation of appropriate support services for the sociocultural context in which PI families live in NZ.


Presenter 3: Ailaoa Aoina (PhD Candidate, School of Psychology)
Family based elder care is an important contribution to the wellbeing of older people and to the Aotearoa-New Zealand economy, yet very little is known about the cultural changes that have impacted traditional family based elder care, and the needs of Aiga (family) to enable them to sustain elder care. The population of Pasifika elders is increasing and numbers are likely to grow rapidly in the next few decades yet there is little research on Pacific populations and ageing. ‘Matua Tausi’ refers to the practice of honouring and caring for one’s elders (parents/grandparents), is part of a cultural context in which depth of learning and sharing takes place, and an aspect of cultural phenomena that sits at the core of being Samoan as it is the “heart and soul of nurturing” (Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Taisi Efi, 2007). This presentation will explore the Samoan elder care practice of ‘Matua Tausi’ within the global context of elder-care practices.