We are of Many Places - We Stand Here

Author

Mokalagi Tamapeau

Speaker

Mokalagi Tamapeau

Organisation

Pacific Advisor Strategies with Kids- Information for Parents (SKIP), Family and Community Services, Ministry of Social Development, Wellington

The aim of this presentation is to show how a generic parent support programme has been provided to Pacific peoples communities in New Zealand and to present what we have learned about those communities and ourselves.

We have successfully parented children for thousands of years, and in the wisdom of our ancestors we have been guided through our own challenges to navigate to the different shores we choose to live. There have been many challenges through those thousands of years, but we are descended from peoplse who have navigated fearlessly the seas, using the stars, the tides, the birds, and the fish. Every ripple in the water was filled with meaning, and nothing was taken for granted.

This presentation will present the way SKIP navigates the many dimensions contained within the richness of our Pacific communities particularly in the context of how we raise our children – in a way that is positive and intrinsically PACIFIC. A short video of interviews of young Pacific children will be included in the presentation.

Some of the issues that will be highlighted in this presentation are:

How do our children see themselves, and what insights do they offer through Pacific Chidlren's Voices?
What messages are offered to us through research that are liberating and strengthening for Pacific communities?
What are the positive parenting messages from our ancients, that through time remain relevant, and will sustain us into the future?
What are the positive parenting messages through theology, and how are they woven into positive parenting for Pacific communities?

We have found answers to these questions that the importance of leading with positive messages, and research that states; there is no evidence that Pacific or Maori people are any more accepting of physical punishment, than any other cultural group in Aotearoa.

Smacking as a form of discipline is not culturally sanctioned in Pacific cultures, that our cultural values, and concepts are effective guides to discipline, and define limits and boundaries in our relationships with our children. That these same limits and boundaries in all our relationships transcends perceived barriers of culture or difference,and have meaning in the now.

That colonisation of the Pacific through the religious message, of Victorian England has an enduring legacy. We explore the reclaiming of a god that is forgiving, warm, loving and mercifiul and not one that is judgemental and punishing.

Presentation

Paper

Biography

Of Niue and Samoa descent. Has three children who have a Fiji father. Currently a student of Pacific Studies at Victoria University.