Culture Crossroads: Dealing with the Pressures and Demands on Pacific Islanders Living in Aotearoa

Pasifika people are at a crossroads and need to decide whether to retain their traditional cultural values and practices to adopt those of the majority of New Zealanders or to find a middle pathway to the future. They feel under pressure in their lives in Aotearoa.In response many older Pasifika people and those raised in the Pacific Islands choose to run their Aotearoa churches and take part in the life of their church in the same way they did in the Islands. This brings them comfort and a feeling of security.Younger Pasifika people and those born or raised mainly in New Zealand are caught between the expectations of their parents and wider family to adhere to island culture and traditions and wanting to live a freer Kiwi lifestyle. They must learn to put the needs of their immediate family and children first and be disciplined in how they handle their finances and their giving to their churches and extended family.Successful Pasifika sports people and professionals in other fields are expected to give money to their extended family in New Zealand and the Islands. In some extreme cases this pressure has caused sports people to suicide.Ruby suggests that churches in New Zealand generally and Pasifika members as a sub-group within their national bodies should have the right to decide for themselves their response to theological and ethical issues.These issues feed into an argument that Aotearoa should have a written constitution that acknowledges the tenets of all faiths religions cultures and ethnicities.About the authorRubinstine Manukia is a Tongan author who has English and Chinese descent. Ruby has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Auckland a Bachelor of Law from Victoria University of Wellington Legal Professionals from Canterbury University of Christchurch and a Masters of Law (Honors) from the USA. Ruby is completing her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree specialising in Health Law. She ran a restaurant the Foghorn Bar & Grill in San Francisco and also worked in Washington DC. She is a community enabler and is the Presidents Legal Advisor for the Methodist Church of New Zealand Te Haahi Weteriana O Aotearoa. Ruby enjoys sports spending time with her family and enabling communities to thrive.Rubys first book Like A Dove: A memoir and biography in honour of Sione Tavo Manukia was published in 2016.