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A Life Worth Living: Teenagers, The Family, and Health

Nelson, New Zealand - 1 March 1997

PPSEAWA New Zealand held this Seminar in conjunction with the 1997 National Conference in Nelson 28 February - 2 March 1997. We did this so we would have a wider audience with participation of delegates from other parts of New Zealand. Present also were secondary school students, our Nelson members and specially invited representatives of other Organisations.

We are extremely grateful to UNESCO as Sponsor and to Nestle NZ for funding the Seminar as part of Seminars on "Family and Health" thoughout Asia and the Pacific.

Because of the large number of Pacific Islanders who have settled here and made New Zealand their home, it was decided that we would focus on the health of young Pacific Island women presently in New Zealand for their Secondary Education. The health problems that were uncovered are not unique to Nelson. Sure, they apply to Pacific Island Students all over New Zealand.

The Keynote Speaker was Jenny Black NZ National President of the Dietetic Association. She covered homesickness body language, schooling (teaching styles) the sun, clothes, treatments and medicines. It was a wonderful address. She spoke first and was happy to answer questions on the great variety of topics raised.

This was followed by a Panel of Students which was chaired by Alison Roxburgh, the Immediate Past National President of National Council of Women NZ and Board Member of the International Council of Women.

The Students spoke about their schooling and health, how they came to be here in New Zealand and how they found it very different from home. One came from a rural area in Vanuatu and, even though homesick, she said that she was happy here and thought New Zealand was a neat place.

They spoke about many of the things they found so different here from home in the Islands, a lot of which is covered in the Keynote Speaker's Address.

The Students answered the many questions put to them and gave us all a great insight in to what it is like for them to arrive and to settle down here in New Zealand and of some of the health problems they encountered. They spoke of the expectation of parents and how they must work hard at their studies. The question of sex was raised. They said that because of their upbringing they were not into this. Some from Catholic families said parents would not approve.

It was a stimulating Panel ably chaired by Mrs. Roxburgh and after it we adjourned for Lunch. We were able then to speak individually with the students.

After the luncheon adjournment we held an Open Discussion on the Panel. Our Guest Speaker, Jenny Black, and our Panel Chair, Alison Roxburgh, facilitated this and all took part. It was a great discussion and covered the many matters raised by the Students, as well as other concerns raised re the health of Pacific Island families living in New Zealand. One of the big concerns is smoking by so many Pacific Islanders.

The question of the loneliness of some of the Students was also discussed. One of the girls told us how she missed her Grandnother and we talked about how perhaps some of our PPSEAWA members could become "proxy Grandmas" for Pacific Island Students.

Also discussed was the fact that many Pacific Islanders living in this country were on low wages or on Benefits and this was a cause of poor health. By the time the Bills were paid there was not much left for food or a visit to a Doctor.

We plan to follow up and endeavour to find some solutions to the many matters raised during the Open Discussion.

Reported by Tetesa Friel

Last Modified: November 29, 2002