Pavlova and pineapple pie: Selected identity influences on Samoan‐Pakeha people in Aotearoa/New Zealand

Abstract

This paper examines influences on the increasing numbers of those with one Pakeha parent and one Samoan parent in Aotearoa/New Zealand. It is based on a small, qualitative study and utilises a narrative approach. It describes selected influences at macro, meso, and micro levels of social structure as a framework for examining how this population view themselves and construct their identities. At the macro level, post‐colonial dynamics of requiring “authenticity” from minority groups is explored, as it demands high standards of legitimacy from those of both Samoan and Pakeha ancestry. Essentialist and one drop rule theories of ethnic identity tend to classify this population as belonging solely to the Samoan category. At the meso level, these people as children are uncritically treated as if they are only Samoan. At the micro level, the influences of their nuclear and extended families tended to encourage a Samoan identity in most participants. There was a marked variation in the ways the participants interpreted their lives, despite some similarities of experience.     

New Zealand’s engagement with the Five Ways to Wellbeing: evidence from a large cross-sectional survey

ABSTRACT

The Five Ways to Wellbeing were developed in 2008 as a set of simple daily practices for individuals to improve their wellbeing. While there is some evidence to support the association between individual practices and wellbeing, it is unknown whether engaging in multiple practices – and in certain combinations – is associated with higher levels of wellbeing. A survey was undertaken with 10,012 adults throughout Aotearoa, New Zealand, to assess individual wellbeing and participation in the Five Ways to Wellbeing (Connect, Give, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Be Active). Wellbeing was assessed with the Flourishing Scale (Md?=?46, IQR 39–49). Three objectives explored the cross-sectional association between the Five ways to Wellbeing and wellbeing: (1) multiple wellbeing practices and wellbeing, (2) clustering of multiple wellbeing practices, and (3) wellbeing practices as predictors of wellbeing. Results show that levels of wellbeing increased with each additional practice (rho?=?.53, p?<?.001), regardless of the combination. However, the most important predictors of wellbeing were Keep Learning (β?=?.23, p?<?.001) and Take Notice (β?=?.22, p?<?.001). Studies investigating ways to increase participation in the Five Ways to Wellbeing are warranted to promote wellbeing in Aotearoa.