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Te mana o te moana Pacific parenting

Pacific parenting

Pacific cultures differ from each other in lots of ways, including in the way they parent, but they all share a desire to nurture the village and raise awesome children.

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To work with Pacific communities in Aotearoa, we can start by learning about their values and experiences and the relationships that support their families to thrive.

What’s common to Pacific cultures

Pacific cultures share many values and beliefs, but there may be just as many differences as similarities between the Pacific people you see every day.

Here are 3 commonly shared values.

  • Collective wellbeing

    Collective wellbeing underpins Pacific cultures and good relationships are a form of social currency in families and communities. These provide protection and support in times of difficulty. Families and the wider community are responsible for the care and wellbeing of parents and grandparents.   

  • Children are gifts

    Pacific children are considered gifts. They are a bond between families, a connection between the past, the present and what could be. Families are expected to guide and support children, while children are expected to serve, respect and learn from elders.

  • Spirituality and values

    Spiritual beliefs and values such as respect, service, leadership, family, and belonging are powerful influences on Pacific people. The values that Pacific families hold are also influenced by their experiences of living and working in New Zealand.

Learning migration stories

Pacific communities in Aotearoa all have someone in their family, past or present, who migrated to Aotearoa for the future of the family and especially their children. These stories play a big part in many Pacific family histories. They are passed on to younger family members to support their sense of identity and remind them of how they came to be here and why.

Pacific cultures are diverse

From a handful of atolls to hundreds of islands, each Pacific nation has forged its own unique connection with their land. This has led to many unique practices and customs that set them apart from each other.

Here are 3 examples of how Pacific cultures may differ.

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    Society

    Social structures describe the roles different members of the community hold in a culture. The social structure in many Pacific nations is based on the extended family and the village, but not in all. For example, Tonga is a constitutional monarchy with a class structure written into its constitution.

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    Family roles

    Pacific families make decisions in the collective best interest of all members. Extended family members often have a powerful role in making decisions that affect families. These decision-makers vary across cultures and may not be who you think they are.

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    Language

    Each culture’s language is unique. In some Pacific nations there are also dialects, for example, in the islands of the Cook Islands. Some Pacific languages have similarities with other languages, for example, the languages of Tuvalu, Tokelau and Samoa.

Language through song

Many Pacific nations share stories through songs, which are passed on down through generations. Singing is a really enjoyable way to develop children’s language, and sense of cultural identity. You can find songs in Pacific languages on our website. Many have words, audio and video.

Find Pacific songs and rhymes

The Samoan and Cook Island Māori baby wall frieze
The Samoan and Cook Island Māori baby wall frieze

Supporting pepe to grow

Use this wall frieze in Samoan and Cook Islands Māori for baby’s bedroom, or any space. It shares easy ways that everyone can help pepe grow, like singing and reading in home languages.

Order a free copy of the baby wall frieze(external link)

Pacific parenting resources

Being a Pacific dad Article Pacific peoples and cultures in Aotearoa Article Samoan communities in Aotearoa Article Kiribati communities in Aotearoa Article Little Birdy On A Tree (Cook Islands Māori) Song Play – Pacific style Article Fijian communities in Aotearoa Article Moe Moe Pepe (Samoan) Song Tuvalu communities in Aotearoa Article Blessings from Tagaloa – Samoan language and pregnancy Article Patipati o Lima Song Cook Islands Māori communities in Aotearoa Article Tokelau communities in Aotearoa Article Tongan communities in Aotearoa Article Encouraging Pacific language Article Niue communities in Aotearoa Article Sack racing Activity Rotuman communities in Aotearoa Article Creating a sense of belonging Story Tug of war Activity Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (Fijian) Song Savalivali (Samoan) Song Si Manu La'itiiti (Little Bird) Song Developing a sense of cultural identity Article Tonga-based initiative builds parents as first teachers Story Talofa lava Article Baby frieze – Samoan Article Ulu, Tauau, Tulivae, Tama’ivae (Head, shoulders, knees and toes) Song Te Manu Taigole Song Paka (Tune of Pokarekareana) Song