(LIVELY PERCUSSIVE MUSIC) - Aloha kakou, Hafa Adai ` welcome to Tagata Pasifika. On the show today, how culture impacts the financial well-being of young Pacific people ` that's the focus of a new study, and we look at the whys and the wherefores in our talanoa. In our Pacific News Wrap ` the Solomon Islands help to break ICT barriers. - Women hold a smaller percentage of jobs in computing and mathematics jobs. - And we meet Samoan filmmaker Ursula Grace Williams in her journey to document Maori recording artist Marlon Williams' new album. - I felt like this is something that needs to be documented for the rest of Aotearoa, because it's going to be uplifting. - Ohh! - Ataahua. Kia orana tatou katoatoa and popongi manea. Thanks for joining us. So, as we mentioned, a new study is setting out to explore the cultural impacts of young Pacific peoples' financial well-being. It's being conducted by Massey Business School PhD student Vika Namoa, who joins us for our talanoa. Vika, malo e lelei. - Thank you, John, for having me on the programme this morning. - Welcome to our programme. Now, let's talk about this research. Tell us more about it. - Um, thank you, John, for the opportunity. So, the research is based on the cultural influences and other factors that it has on young Pacific people in New Zealand. Um, it's a fairly new study. Um, and so, working along, uh, our Financial Education Centre to sort of look deeper into understanding the reason why, uh, as per the latest research conducted by our Retirement Commission, we Pacific people hold the lowest score when it comes to financial well-being. So there has been no, uh, sort of... reasons to understand the reasons behind these statistics. Um, so, yeah, this research hopes to sort of address that and look further into developing, you know, culturally appropriate tools to help our people in that space. - Ko ia. So where are you at at this stage with the research? - I'm currently in the data collection phase. Um, and so I'll be using two key methods ` uh, the survey, the online survey that's been made available; and also a follow-up talanoa session just to get a better understanding of these issues, um, behind, you know, holding the lowest financial well-being score. - How did you come up with this topic? Is this maybe something from your own experience? - Definitely. Um, as my very first proper job after graduation, I was in a graduate role where, um, I was sort of exposed to how financially illiterate our people was. And so being in that space sort of sparked an interest, and it grew sort of` you know, it became a passion ` to understand, um... the real` the underlying issues and how to better support that space. And I guess that's where I've been sort of, um, focusing around ` areas where we could help to help` sorry, areas where we could support our people. - Yeah. - Um, yeah, so... - Tell us about these cultural challenges that impact our financial well-being. - Yeah. So, I've also been, um... Additional to the work that I'm currently doing at the university, I'm also fortunate enough to have secured a few hours of financial mentoring. And I am in the early stages of` to sort of talk about, um, cultural factors in terms of my research, um, but in this financial mentoring role, I've come across a lot of, um, you know... We as Pacific people ` culture is part of our identity, but in` which then kind of leads to questioning ` where do we...? Uh, to what level do we go to sort of, you know, provide financially for our people? - Is it an obligation? - Obligations and` - Or is it pressure? What would you describe it as? - Well, I... We like to stay away from using 'pressure', John, but, um... You know, we` As a Pacific person, we know, growing up in our families, we get sort of told to do, um, things. But these are cultural obligations. Like, um, you know, church donations; family obligations in terms of financially contributing to a family event that you don't` you barely have a say in ` that's some of the stuff that's come up in this workspace. Um... yeah, so... - And is this a concern? Have you spoken to the young people... - It's... - ...and are they concerned about their future and their financial stability? - Definitely. Um, this generation now has a different thinking when it comes to financial. That's something I've picked up on ` we have a different thinking when it comes to financial matters. I think they're a bit more outspoken than, you know, the past generation in terms of what can we financially contribute to a family event, church donations and, you know, events that we as Pacific people often get ourselves into debt trying to, you know, um... to fulfil these responsibilities. - Mm. Mm. - Yeah. - So what happens from here? What, uh`? Where to next? And can people take part in this? - Oh, definitely. So, the survey's been made available online in the article that I've shared. Um, but also, towards the end of the data collection phase, there is a talanoa session, which... that's something I want to use to, you know, sit down with our people and create` So based on that, we'll be able to create tools that would better support our Pacific people ` not to eventually, you know, wipe out the whole, uh, cultural part of the financial contribution, but more so to, you know, offer appropriate, culturally relevant tools that can support... like, me, myself, as a young person, to fulfil our cultural duties but also, you know, live within your means ` you know, your financial means. Yeah. - Well, malo, Vika, for joining us, and we look forward to the results of your research. - Thank you, John. - All the best. - Thank you. - And if you are a Pacific person aged between 18 and 30, you can take part in the study; just head to TP Plus to find the link there. Stay with us. When we come back, it's our Pacific News Wrap, and this week, Samoa swears in new citizens. - The Samoan citizenship is dear to us, for it is our identity with the freedom to live harmoniously and peacefully. (LIVELY PERCUSSIVE MUSIC) - Malo e lelei, alii. Welcome back to Tagata Pasifika. It's time now for our news wrap from the region thanks to our partners at Pasifika TV, PCBL. This week, Samoa sounds a warning about its dengue fever outbreak while welcoming new citizens. But first ` the conclave to select the new pope will have Pacific Islands cardinals. Gladys Hartson has the details. - GLADYS HARTSON: The Pacific region will be represented at the table to vote in the next pope after the death of Pope Francis. Natasha Ovoi has more. - NATASHA OVOI: Sir John Ribat noted that many cardinals will be in Rome for the event ` however, notes 121 will participate in the election process. - GLADYS HARTSON: To the Solomon Islands now, where more girls are being encouraged into the IT sector. Eliza Kukutu has more. - ELIZA KUKUTU: The Women in ICT Solomon Islands ` WITSI ` joined others globally to celebrate the International Girls in ICT Day at the Mendana Hotel in Honiara on Thursday. This year's theme, Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation, highlights the need to ensure equal access and opportunities for girls and young women in the digital world. - It's events like this one that give us optimism and hope for greater gender equality in the ICT sector. We know that, unfortunately, the numbers don't stack up so well in ICT. Women hold a smaller percentage of jobs in computing and mathematics jobs; only a smaller number of women decide to pursue jobs in technology. - I think it's important for marking the day here because, um, of representation. Mi save that this is a very male-dominated field, and we need to get more girls into studying for ICT ` the ICT field ` and STEM. So I think we need more girls to take on ICT and STEM subjects, um, since it's a very male-dominated field, so... - GLADYS HARTSON: Samoa's Ministry of Health are warning the public about misinformation around dengue fever. Deidre Fanene with this report. - DEIDRE FANENE: Deputy Director General of Health Tagaloa Dr Robert Thompson is calling on the public, especially parents, not to trust misleading information circulating on social media regarding the dengue fever outbreak in Samoa. Tagaloa urges the public to seek medical advice from a doctor or visit the Ministry of Health's official Facebook page if they are unsure about any information related to the outbreak. Since January this year, a total of 16 cases of dengue fever have been confirmed in Samoa, with one death recorded. - GLADYS HARTSON: Meanwhile, more than 40 individuals are celebrating becoming Samoan citizens. Moeilefue Joachim Smith has this report. - This marks the first swearing-in ceremony since the pandemic began. - The Samoan citizenship is dear to us, for it is our identity with the freedom to live harmoniously and peacefully in our lands. But it does come with responsibility ` responsibility to care and to love, to be law abiding, to respect others and to use God-given talents, wisdom and knowledge to work together for the common good of Samoa. - GLADYS HARTSON: To Fiji now, where politicians are debating trade relations and tariffs with the US and other countries. - KREETIKA KUMAR: On a weighted average basis, the average tariff on US imports stands at 1.8%. - And of course, if one looks at Fiji's exports ` or, in other words, the US imports from Fiji ` in proportion to total USA imports, which amount to` which amounted to 4.1 trillion in 2024, our proportion is merely 0.0001%. And I am confident that we should be able to agree on a way forward well before the 90-day window closes. - Because we all know that Singapore literally imports everything from all around the world, and I think we don't send much out to them at all. It's a huge market for us, and I know this much, sir ` that they don't even need trade agreements. It's literally very easy to get in there. - GLADYS HARTSON: And finally ` Fiji's Secondary Schools' Athletics Championships were held recently, and this year, it included students from Samoa. - SERA NAVUGA: A team of seven young athletes from Samoa is proudly competing across various events, representing their country with pride. - The Coca-Cola Games ` it's kind of, like... We always watch the Coca-Cola Games. And 20... 2010 and 2013, we... I was watching these guys, but I always think to myself` I always think, you know, 'Samoa can be part of this.' But finally, now we have our time. - The support system back home ` they're very supportive, because they all know it's my first time here and it's my first time participating in these kind of games. But they understand, and they really, um, support it a lot. - Isa wananavu. OK, after the break, we catch up with award-winning documentary maker Ursula Grace Williams and her new film. - I heard that he was truly making this album in te reo Maori and he was placing his attention towards that, and I felt like this is something that needs to be documented for the rest of Aotearoa. Alright, I'm off. Where are you off to? To get the flu jab. You coming? Nah. I won't get the flu. Touch wood. (QUIRKY MUSIC) Touch wood. Kia ora! You here for the flu jab? Yeah. VOICEOVER: (LIVELY PERCUSSIVE MUSIC) - 'Ia ora na ` welcome back to Tagata Pasifika. To the arts now, and Samoan filmmaker Ursula Grace Williams' latest work is in cinemas now. Nga Ao E Rua ` Two Worlds ` is an intimate documentary following singer-songwriter Marlon Williams as he writes and records his first album in te reo Maori. Soana Aholelei caught up with Ursula and Marlon for this story. - SOANA AHOLELEI: Not afraid of stepping out of her comfort zone, Samoan film director Ursula Grace Williams has been making these heartfelt documentaries for almost 10 years. - When it came to filming something like Deportees of Tonga, it was really tricky. - A lot of these men ` and generally men ` have been dropped, um, with just a stamp on their passport. They've got no land; they've got no language; they haven't got traditional tatau. They've got big, you know, gang-affiliated things. So a lot of the time, they don't get taken seriously. And so when somebody's asking questions in a way that's genuine and authentic, it just... I guess it just broke down some of the barriers. - Whoever needed a place to stay, or somebody who's lost who needed... somewhere to go to, our house was an open house for everybody. - Her passion for grassroots storytelling is not easy. - I think one thing that I've been thinking about recently a lot is, um, you make a film. It goes out to the world. People like it or not. It's kinda treated as, you know, content. What it doesn't capture is all the time that was spent, because you're condensing a huge amount of time into a small amount of time. - I can't imagine that I would've or could've done anything else than play music. I've been touring since I was in high school. - You're so cute. (LAUGHS) - Marlon Williams! - Her new documentary's been over four years in the making. It follows Maori artist and musician Marlon Williams on his journey to write an album in te reo, Nga Ao E Rua ` Two Worlds... - # Kahore he manu e... # kakapa i roto ra. - ...something she has navigated all her life. - My nana was born in Vaimoso. We've got ties to Afega. My great-grandmother was from Saoluafata, and my... mum was born in Apia. That's not people's first assumption about me, and that has created barriers in the past, because I am white-passing. So I think it takes a conversation, often, to know that I'm on the same level, um, and the same... yeah, just understanding. - The doco was beautiful to watch. - Thank you. - And I feel that it... resonates not just with Maori, but with anyone like yourself and myself. - Definitely, yeah. I think with stories like that and also watching Marlon, you know, diving back into a world` And often, you know, so often, it's the case that diving back into your heritage, culture, lost languages ` it's not commercially viable to do that, and so, you know... you have to carve out time and space physically to kinda have those connective moments. What do you want out of this? - What do I want? - Mm. - I want a feature film about me, to see what I look like. 'I only did it because I love her work, and I just...' respected the way she` she approached things, you know, going into it. She's very straight up and down, very committed to her... vision of things, you know? I definitely... If I was ever gonna do anything like this, it would have to be with someone who's... strong on what their... their kaupapa is, you know? # ...au anake # ki te waka... - The doco is accompanied by Marlon's lilting voice and waiata from his new album, Te Whare Tiwekaweka ` A House In Disarray ` helping him in his te reo journey and inspiring others. - I think, on one level, I was using music as a third rail to help... help me enter... te reo Maori, you know? Because music is a language I... you know, I play with a lot. It's the most natural first language to me, really. - The album will resonate with many Pasifika as well as Maori, for those on a te reo journey. - It definitely helps to fill a void of not knowing Samoan, sometimes, to connect with te reo and te ao Maori, because there are so many similarities, you know? Tasi, lua, tolu, fa, lima, ono, fitu, valu, iva, sefulu. It's... There is a connectedness there around Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa that is... pretty evident. - Did it get easier along the way? - MARLON: No, it just gets harder. The more you know, the less you know. There's just so much` so much to learn, um, and I still feel very` yeah, very much at the beginning of the journey, so... But, you know, I feel proud that Kommi and I have compiled this bunch of songs and that they're in the world now. - I know with a lot of us non-speaking... I mean, I always get pulled up with mispronunciations, and then I get mocked, and then it makes me not wanna... not want to. - Oh. - And I hate that, you know? - You get cut both` on both ways, you know? It's... It's terrible. - What would be your advice to, you know, Maori and Pasifika kids who want to write... in their reo? - Mm. - What's your advice to them? - Um, my advice to them would be look at the English language when it comes to songwriting. It can be the most simple language, you know? It doesn't matter where you are on your journey. # Haehaea te marama, # maringi toto miraka... - There has been some really beautiful moments of growth for myself as well during the filming of 'Nga Ao E Rua ` Two Worlds', yeah. I heard that he was truly making this album in te reo Maori, and he was placing his attention towards that, and I thought, 'That's the one.' I felt like this is something that needs to be documented for the rest of Aotearoa, because it's going to be` Knowing Marlon and his cheeky, funny, intelligent way, it's going to be uplifting in a way that hopefully motivates other people to put their attention on, you know, what parts of themselves might be missing. - I wanna keep writing in te reo. I got a whole bunch of different ideas and different directions for... - Do a duet with a Pacific Islander artist. - Yeah, that's on my list now. It's just been bumped up. (CHUCKLES) - (LAUGHS) Soana said you have to. - Yeah, yeah. Priority` Priority list. # ...ki a ripeka, # haramai. # (SOFT CHORD RESOLVES) - Ataahua, Marlon. Congratulations. Well, that's the end of our show. Blessed weekend, especially to our kids taking part in the Fakame or White Sunday this weekend. Now, if you want to see any of our stories again, or the latest Pacific news, go to tpplus.co.nz or TVNZ+. Fakafetai lahi lele. Malo 'aupito ho mou me'a mai... ka mou me'a aa. Ka kite. Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air.