The Journey so far……….

From Pioneer to Settler…….

Since the beginning of the migration path for Pasifika, the beckoning of a better future and better jobs in Aotearoa was compelling. - and remains so this day. However, over the past several decades, the transition to more senior (and higher paying) roles has been at an almost tectonic pace. The community hubs that were landing pads for these Pasifika migrants were once bustling with job market opportunities and the talk of new industries and areas where one would be able to quickly secure a job, get paid more money and begin living the dream. However, that buzz of activity no longer exists and nor does the encouragement to do something greater and hopefully become better in the process.

Pasifika people still look out for each other but the roles that were once historically aspirational have now become vocationally acceptable. This same cycle then continues with the younger generations seeing shortfalls between their parents’ income and expenses and feeling obligated to help alleviate the pressure. Therefore, rather than pursuing further education in the hope of something better, they opt for what is available immediately instead. Then, like those before them, they too wake up several decades later only to find that the cycle has repeated.