Relevant terms from the Child and youth voice research findings index:
Belonging, Care experienced, Culture, Families/whānau, Identity, Religion/spirituality, Safety and security, Youth justice, Youth voice.
AUTHOR: Oranga Tamariki
Talanoa Mai Tamaiki presents findings from interviews with 29 Pacific children and young people (aged 7-17years) in the Oranga Tamaki care and protection or youth justice systems. The research focussed on two areas of inquiry:
- what enables Pacific children and young people to talk with adults and participate in decision-making
- the experiences of Pacific children and young people of being connected to their family, cultural identity and faith
Key findings included:
- Pacific children and young people need to feel safe to have a voice.
- Pacific children and young people are more likely to share their views when adults build a relationship with them or with people they trust.
- Understanding the culture of Pacific children and young people helps them to share their views.
- Pacific children and young people love and respect their families.
- Family is intertwined with culture, values and faith.
- Family is not just birth family
- Pacific children and young people want to be accepted by their family.
- Knowledge of culture can create happiness, pride and a strong sense of belonging.
- Most Pacific children and young people, particularly younger children, associate culture with food, dance and music
- Pacific children and young people in care may have a limited understanding of their culture.
- Most Pacific children and young people believe in the existence of God
- Some enjoy the routines of church while others find these routines boring
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