Pasifika Well-Being and Trans-Tasman Migration
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Pasifika Well-Being and Trans-Tasman Migration: A Mixed Methods Analysis of Samoan and Tongan Well-Being Perspectives and Experiences in Auckland and Brisbane Ruth (Lute) Faleolo B.A. Geography/History, M.A. Development Studies, M.Ed. Adult Education A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at The University of Queensland in 2020 School of Architecture Aboriginal Environments Research Centre Institute for Social Science Research Life Course Centre, Brisbane Abstract It has been suggested that Brisbane is the new 'land of milk and honey' for Pasifika groups based in Auckland, who are seeking a 'better' life. Although contemporary Pasifika trans-Tasman migration is happening at increasing rates and has been noticeable since the 1990s, this process has not hitherto, been accurately recorded or fully understood. The trans-Tasman migration literature suggests that Pasifika movements are economically driven. However, my research shows that Pasifika trans- Tasman migration involves a host of other reasons that relate to Pasifika notions of well-being. Therefore, the aim of my research is to understand Pasifika perceptions of well-being and their trans- Tasman migrant experiences that fulfil their well-being aims. The focus is on the movements of Samoan and Tongan groups, between Auckland and Brisbane, and utilises a mixed-methods approach within Pasifika research frameworks to capture Pasifika voices and understandings. Interviews, surveys and participant observations were carried out during 2015-2018 in Auckland and Brisbane. The interweaving of the qualitative and quantitative data sets recorded in this study provide a deeper understanding of the salient links that exist between Pasifika notions of well-being and their trans- Tasman migration movements. The findings show that Pasifika define their well-being holistically: Tongan mo‘ui ‘oku lelei and Samoan ola manuia are usefully understood as eight spheres of well- being. The interconnections between the eight spheres influence both current experiences of well- being and future outlooks held by Pasifika living in Auckland, compared to Brisbane. A key finding is that the spiritual/God (relationship with God and church), familial/social (relationship with significant others) and cultural spheres are intrinsic to the holistic well-being of Pasifika individuals and their collectives within Auckland and Brisbane. These three spheres have been redefined within the freedoms and new spaces found in Brisbane, compared to Auckland. This process of redefinition is particularly evident amongst the second-generation and third-generation descendants of the Pasifika migrants. Another key finding is the defining of Pasifika economic participation in the labour markets within Australia and New Zealand. Economic provision and economic sustainability spheres are best understood in light of the collective well-being of Pasifika. The research has also generated an innovative methodological development. E-talanoa is an informant-centred method of studying multi-sited Pasifika groups, using online forums, and represents a contribution to the culturally appropriate data collection of Pasifika voices and knowledge for the trans-Tasman literature and diaspora discourse. Given the obvious lack of information on Pasifika well-being and trans-Tasman migration, this study can inform both local and national government policies that are affecting the well-being of Pasifika migrants living in Australia. 2 Declaration by author This thesis is composed of my original work, and contains no material previously published or written by another person except where due reference has been made in the text. I have clearly stated the contribution by others to jointly authored works that I have included in my thesis. I have clearly stated the contribution of others to my thesis as a whole, including statistical assistance, survey design, data analysis, significant technical procedures, professional editorial advice, financial support and any other original research work used or reported in my thesis. The content of my thesis is the result of work I have carried out since the commencement of my higher degree by research candidature and does not include a substantial part of work that has been submitted to qualify for the award of any other degree or diploma in any university or other tertiary institution. I have clearly stated which parts of my thesis, if any, have been submitted to qualify for another award. I acknowledge that an electronic copy of my thesis must be lodged with the University Library and, subject to the policy and procedures of The University of Queensland, the thesis be made available for research and study in accordance with the Copyright Act 1968 unless a period of embargo has been approved by the Dean of the Graduate School. I acknowledge that copyright of all material contained in my thesis resides with the copyright holder(s) of that material. Where appropriate I have obtained copyright permission from the copyright holder to reproduce material in this thesis and have sought permission from co-authors for any jointly authored works included in the thesis. 3 Publications included in this thesis Faleolo, R.L. 2016. ‘Pasifika trans-Tasman migrant perspectives of well-being in Australia and New Zealand,’ Pacific Asia Inquiry Journal, 7(1), Fall, 2016: 63-74. Available online: http://www.uog.edu/schools-and-colleges/college-of-liberal-arts-and-social- sciences/publications/pacific-asia-inquiry-8 Faleolo, R.L. 2018. ‘Understanding Pasifika migrant behaviour and perspectives of well-being in Brisbane through material cultural adaptations,’ State of Australian Cities National Conference, 28- 30 November 2017, Adelaide, South Australia Australian Cities Research Network. Available online: http://doi.org/10.4225/50/5b2dea577591c Faleolo, R.L. 2019. ‘Pasifika diaspora in Auckland and Brisbane: Review of literature,’ Life Course Centre working paper series, 2019-07. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland. Available online: https://www.lifecoursecentre.org.au/research/journal-articles/working-paper- series/pasifika-diaspora-in-auckland-and-brisbane-review-of-literature/ Faleolo, R L. 2019. ‘Pasifika well-being in Auckland and Brisbane: Review of literature,’ Life Course Centre working paper series, 2019-08. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland. Available online: https://www.lifecoursecentre.org.au/research/journal-articles/working-paper- series/pasifika-well-being-in-auckland-and-brisbane-review-of-literature/ Faleolo, R L. 2019. ‘Pasifika diaspora research methodology: Review of literature,’ Life Course Centre working paper series, 2019-09. Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland. Available online: https://www.lifecoursecentre.org.au/research/journal-articles/working-paper- series/pasifika-diaspora-research-methodology-review-of-literature/ Faleolo, R.L. 2019. ‘Understanding Pasifika migrant behaviour and perspectives of well-being in Auckland and Brisbane through material cultural adaptations,’ Life Course Centre working paper series. Institute for Social Science Research, 2019-10. The University of Queensland. Available online: https://www.lifecoursecentre.org.au/research/journal-articles/working-paper- series/understanding-pasifika-migrant-behaviour-and-perspectives-of-well-being-in-auckland-and- brisbane-through-material-cultural-adaptations/ Faleolo, R.L. 2019. ‘Well-being and labour mobility experiences of Pasifika trans-Tasman migrants in Auckland and Brisbane,’ Life Course Centre working paper series. Institute for Social Science Research, 2019-11. The University of Queensland. Available online: https://www.lifecoursecentre.org.au/research/journal-articles/working-paper- series/well-being-and-labour-mobility-experiences-of-pasifika-trans-tasman-migrants-in-auckland- and-brisbane/ Faleolo, R.L. 2019. ‘Wellbeing perspectives, conceptualisations of work and labour mobility experiences of Pasifika trans-Tasman migrants in Brisbane.’ In V. Stead, & J. Altman (Eds.). Labour lines and colonial power: Indigenous and Pacific Islander labour mobility in Australia. (pp.185-206). Canberra, Australia: ANU Press, The Australian National University. Available online: http://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/n5654/pdf/ch08.pdf 4 Submitted manuscripts included in this thesis Faleolo, R.L. ‘Understanding Pacific Island well-being perspectives through Samoan & Tongan material cultural adaptations & spatial behaviour in Auckland & Brisbane,’ SITES: A Journal of Social Anthropology and Cultural Studies (2019, forthcoming). Faleolo, R.L. ‘Brisbane Pasifika diaspora: Cultural and spatial links to well-being,’ Australian Journal of Anthropology (2019, forthcoming). Other publications during candidature Faleolo, R. 2019, May. A mixed methods analysis of Pasifika well-being, migration and agency in Brisbane. Paper presented at the Transregional Academies: Histories of Migrant Knowledges Academy, 2019, Berkeley, California. Abstract published online by Transregional Academies https://academies.hypotheses.org/5454 Faleolo, R. 2017, November. Understanding Pasifika migrant behaviour and perspectives of well- being in Brisbane through material cultural adaptations. Paper presented at the 8th State of Australian Cities National Conference 2017, Adelaide University, Australia. Paper published online by Analysis and Policy Observatory https://apo.org.au/taxonomy/term/89401 Faleolo, R. 2016, April. Pasifika trans-Tasman migration: