A retrospective analysis of factors influencing school-leaving decision-making amongst Cook Island youth in Auckland

Abstract

The ripple effect of factors within a young person's developmental stages of high school influences their decision making, choices and future pathways. This study aims to gain a better understanding of factors that affect the decision-making processes of Cook Island young people in Auckland, New Zealand. This study focuses on their aspirations in high school and how those decisions are reflected five years post-high school. The key objectives of this study were to highlight high school aspirations amongst young people, explore factors that influence their decision-making processes and examining how those decisions are or are not reflected in their current reality. This research adds to the growing basket of knowledge about career aspirations for Cook Island young people, and how they consider pursuing them. This study took a qualitative approach where two focus groups with Cook Island young people were conducted using a semi-structured interview format. The concept of Talanoa was practised during data collection to promote culturally responsive awareness with the intention of providing a safe space for sharing amongst participants. The focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed and then analysed using a thematic analysis. The findings from this study high light decision-making processes for Cook Island young people are influenced through a variety of risk and protective factors that include aspects of family, friendships, community, school, finance, media, doubt, strictness and spirituality. This research reinforces the importance of enhancing positive factors to assist and support young people through the transition stage of high school to adulthood. It is vital that these young people are surrounded and helped when navigating the waters of life. Currently, there is a lack of identified research and literature that examines the tension between risk and protective factors and decision making processes for Cook Island youth in the Aotearoa New Zealand context and Pasifika people in relation to aspiration and future pathway choices. Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand are over-represented in negative social statistics, such as low-paid employment, education and health. This study intends to bridge the gap between understanding why young people enter into specific fields of work and the various factors that impact on that choice. This research aims to support education providers, occupational professionals, policymakers, health services and the Pacific and Cook Island communities. This research promotes the realities of Cook Island young people in New Zealand with the intention to inform future personal, cultural, community and societal sectors to work towards enhancing young people's well-being by adding detailed attention to factors in their lives.