Improvements made, but more needs to be done for Pacific youth

As part of the ongoing Youth19 work, the survey, on a number of issues facing Pacific youth in Aotearoa, elicited a response from more than 1200 young people of Pacific background. 

Views were shared on topics such as health, wellbeing, family, faith. socioeconomic, environmental, housing, and educational issues. 

Ahead of the release of the report, a Webinar was held to highlight some of the key findings. 

Presented by Dr Analosa Veukiso-Ulugia of Auckland University and Associate Professor Theresa Fleming from Victoria University, along with a panel of experts.  

Associate Professor Fleming said the work with youth had been around since 1999. Since then, more than 36,000 high school students have been surveyed, with almost 5000 of those being Pacific students. 

She said in the latest survey students from 45 schools were selected and the report was made up of the answers given by the Pacific students. 

Among the most interesting findings in the 130-page report were that most Pacific students, around nine out of ten in each case, reported a positive relationship with families, school and church. They were also happy with their health (89%) and had thought about or made plans for their future (87%). 

On the other side there were inequities and injustices considered beyond their control. 

For instance, 62% said they lived in neighbourhoods with high levels of deprivation. Racism was experienced by 41% and a third of those surveyed (33%) did not see a positive future for themselves in New Zealand. 

The most alarming statistics came in the areas of wellbeing and health. 

Answers to the survey showed that around one-quarter (26%) of students had significant depressive symptoms and the same number had serious thoughts of suicide in the past year. Of concern, 12% said they had attempted suicide in that period. 

But there were considerable positives in some areas. Binge drinking, cigarette smoking, and marijuana use were down substantially. 

Among the panellists was Associate Professor Sir Colin Tukuitonga, a Niuean-born doctor, academic, public policy expert, and advocate  for reducing health inequalities for Maori and Pasifika people. 

He said while there were both positives and negatives to take out of the report, he was pleased with some of what he read. 

"It's a positive story, some of the politicians and media would have us believe our young people are nothing but troublemakers,'' he said. 

"But there are some amazing findings, there is overwhelming evidence that most of our young ones are doing well, are positive about school, are positive about family." 

"There's some dark spots obviously. Young ones thinking about suicide, depression and so on, but overall, it is positive.  

Sir Collin said they now need to act on some of the "amazing findings" and he highlighted the smoking rates among young Pacific people, which were down at just six per cent. 

"That's recognition of a smoke-free Aotearoa, and the young ones are telling our older adults that smoking is not cool". 

Fellow panellist Api Poutasi, Director of Pacific Public Health at Health New Zealand, said his initial thoughts were that the report showed really strong family connections and cultural connections. 

But there were also challenging areas to focus on, such as socio-economic depravation, poor housing, access to food, access to food and mental health. 

"Other things that jumped out to me were around access in and around emotional stress and mental health and youth not knowing where to go (for help)," he said. 

ABOUT

Talavou o le Moana summarises key findings for Pacific secondary school students in the areas of ethnic and gender identity; family and faith; socioeconomic environments and housing; education; friends and community connections; physical, mental, and sexual health; substance use; and healthcare access. This data report gives a vital snapshot into the lives of Pacific young people. This information was collected as part of the Youth19 Rangatahi Smart Survey, the latest in the Youth2000 survey series conducted by the Adolescent Health Research Group (AHRG). The findings highlight the resilience and strength of Pacific talavou (young people), and the complexities they must navigate. 

You can watch the launch of this report HERE.

Pacific youth voice is central to Pasefika Proud change activity.