Supporting Canterbury’s Pacific Rainbow+ community by embracing Pasifika values
Rainbow New Zealanders are 75 percent more likely than the total population to report social exclusion.
The Rainbow community also experiences much higher rates of anxiety, depression, psychological distress, and mental illness, according to results from the New Zealand Mental Health Monitor 2019. For young people in the Pacific Rainbow community, their experience is even more alarming.
The Youth19 health and wellbeing survey indicates there are ‘major inequities and challenges’ in wellbeing and mental health for the Pacific Rainbow community compared to Pākehā youth, including housing instability, healthcare discrimination, and food insecurity.
Moana Vā, Navigators of Pacific Pride (Moana Vā) is a new organisation dedicated to the needs of Canterbury’s Pacific Rainbow+ community. More than just a support group, the Moana Vā network is one of education and advocacy, helping individuals and their families to feel less isolated by providing opportunities to meet, learn, socialise, and build relationships through activities that encourage positive and safe connection.
A recent survey of 750 members of New Zealand’s Pacific Rainbow+ community and its allies, The Manalagi Project, showed 92 percent of people said their cultural identity was either ‘important’ or ‘very important’ to them, and 88 percent said they were proud to be Pacific.
Moana Vā draws on this close connection to culture as their point of difference, identifying and addressing the challenges unique to the Pacific communities they serve. The group is committed to educating communities about Pacific Rainbow+ worldviews and connecting its members and their families to their culture.
“Moana Vā provides a safe space for our Pacific Rainbow community, MVPFAFF+ and LGBTQIA+, and families,” says Operations Coordinator Lana Shields.
“Our core values are based on Pacific values. They involve ‘Alofa,’ which is love, Collectivism, Leadership, and Family. We have great role models in place, we do everything as a group, and we involve the entire family when it comes to supporting one of our members.”
The organisation encourages the use of the acronym MVPFAAFF+ which reflects some Pacific Rainbow+ identities; Mahu (Hawai’i and Tahiti), Vaka sa lewa lewa (Fiji), Palopa (Papua New Guinea), Fa’afafine (Samoa), Akava’ine (Rarotonga), Fakaleiti (Tonga) and Fakafifine (Niue).
Lana says the community needs to be better connected, as individuals often keep to themselves due to their unique challenges, discrimination being one of the most significant.
“As Pacific Rainbow, we have those extra layers, not only being Rainbow but being Pacific as well, with cultural and religious barriers,” adds Lana.
“People are isolated, and they may not have a family to support them. We give that kind of support, so we can be your chosen family.”
Moana Vā, based in Canterbury, achieves global reach due to a strong digital presence. This works for their members, who prefer to connect online rather than face-to-face.
Lana is the group’s only staff member, but a wider team of around 15 volunteers help to organise social events, professional development workshops, and peer support. Activities they facilitate include ‘Sew What,’ a 10-week beginners sewing course, choir, netball, ‘Koko Nights,’ and quiz nights.
Community member Alex Saimoa says connecting with Moana Vā has been empowering.
“Moana Vā has definitely played a vital role in helping me understand my culture, and my connection with my sexuality to culture as well,” says Alex.
“It has provided a source of empowerment within myself, being able to learn and understand my culture in a safe space.”
Alex explains that language barriers are an additional challenge for the Pacific Rainbow+ community, and members sometimes don’t know what support they are entitled to or how to ask for it.
Rātā Foundation contributes to Moana Vā’s work through their ‘Support’ funding focus area. Rātā Chief Executive Leighton Evans says the mental health statistics for Rainbow communities cannot be ignored, and it is essential organisations like Moana Vā exist to provide a network of support.
“Moana Vā facilitates connection and helps individuals feel less alone, which is important for mental health, especially among Pacific communities,” says Leighton.
“The group’s commitment to ensuring members of the Pacific Rainbow+ community are able to get the right support when they need it helps to create a space for people to be themselves and for communities to thrive.”
Moana Vā turns two in February, but their rapid growth in a short time indicates the need among the Pacific Rainbow+ community. Lana says the group would like to see more organisations like theirs “throughout the motu,” ensuring support can reach isolated regions such as remote rural areas.
“We’ve progressed quickly in just two years, so we realise there is a need,” says Lana.
For more information about Moana Vā, including how you can connect with them for support, visit their website: HOME | Moana Vā (moanava.org)