Abstract:
Pasifiki migration of Tongan kāinga to westernised societies such as New Zealand was considered pivotal towards a prosperous lifestyle, which included better money, and accessibility to higher education. However this high aspiration towards greater prosperity for the family also led to displacement and dysfunction of family members. As developing research continuously explores the education of the Pasifiki people, addressing the realities of the educational gap that impact the Tongan wellbeing and fāmili system is an enduring taboo. This is highly influenced by the complex collective nature of tauhi vā in the Tongan culture. By adopting a critical approach, this qualitative study illuminates the voices of Tongan parents and youth in Auckland, New Zealand regarding the contributing factors that impact the parent-child relationship and aspirations for higher education of Tongan youth. Through the integration of talanoa, data was collected and analysed through semi-structured interviews from six Tongan parents and six Tongan youth, which focused on their life-stories and perspectives. Results indicate that the Tongan parent-child relationship and education of Tongan youth are impacted by several factors associated with the entrenchment of a neoliberal environment. This can be examined at three levels: the wider environment (fonua), community (komiuniti) and family (fāmili) levels, which influence the wellbeing of Tongan kāinga. This research illustrates the significance of social work practice in the Tongan fāmili system, and reiterates the value of understanding that “Ko ‘api ko e kamata’anga ‘o e me’a kotoa pe” (Home is the beginning of all things). In particular light is shed on the opportunity of social work practice and further research to holistically explore how to strengthen the fāmili ‘api (home), particularly the significant role of the parent-child relationship on the education of Tongan youth.
