Welcome to Week 13 of Introduction to Human Development. In this module, we explore the Fonofale model - developed by Fuimaono Karl Endermann (2001) - in which the growth and development of Pasifika people are represented in a holistic sense. The model utilises the metaphor of a fono fale - a traditional Samoan thatched meeting hut. One's well-being depends on the balance and maintenance of this structure.
The Pacific island population is one of the fastest-growing ethnic minorities in New Zealand. It is made up of people from Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, Tokelau Islands, Niue, Fiji, and Tuvalu.
Although Pacific island people in New Zealand have a number of similarities, each group has their their own distinct social structure, customs, traditions, history, and language. They do, however, have some shared characteristics: they tend to have a strong sense of religious affiliation and they live in larger multigenerational family households.
Currently, Samoans comprise the largest Pacific ethnic group of people living in New Zealand.