In response to COVID-19 the ‘Live Up’ COVID COMMUNITY was set up to support our communities with practical wellbeing resources that can be used for these extraordinary circumstances of social distancing, community lockdown and quarantine. This article is about ‘Taking Notice’ one of the 5 Ways of Wellbeing. Often our day to day lives happen in a rush, sometimes we need to slow down and take notice, appreciating the amazing things that make up our identity and our cultural background.

Here is a printable template that you are welcome to use.

Polyfest 2020.jpg — Family, Food, Fitness and Fun

For many Pasifika people, for example those who descend from Samoa, Tonga, or the Cook Islands, there is a real pride in who we are and where we come from. If we are living in New Zealand, and are separated from our family and friends, during this time, it is important that we strengthen our cultural wellbeing, as this can be a significant factor in strengthening our mental health.

For many Pasifika people, for example those who descend from Samoa, Tonga, or the Cook Islands, there is a real pride in who we are and where we come from. If we are living in New Zealand, and are separated from our family and friends, during this time, it is important that we strengthen our cultural wellbeing, as this can be a significant factor in strengthening our mental health. Below are a few thoughts on how we might do this as Pasifika people:

- Family Time – all families have found a new meaning to this concept. Being together 24/7 over the last 5 weeks has had its positives and its challenges. Use this time to tell stories about past events, genealogy, things you always meant to tell your kids about but haven’t had the time. Teach them to play the drums or some of your favourite songs that they might not know yet.

- Food – How long has it been since you have cooked that favourite island dish? As more ingredients are becoming available now and supermarket lines are getting smaller, it might be time to make that ika mata (raw fish). Maybe even teach the kids how to make it!

- Fitness – heaps of people are getting out walking and biking, which is awesome. How about getting some culture into your fitness. There has been a heap of Pasifika dance videos uploaded where people are using siva and ura (links below) to get moving.

- Fun – Check out some of our Pasifika entertainment – The Laughing Samoans are hilarious and there is a heap of online content, but also recent movies such as Hibiscus and Ruthless, Three Wise Cousins, Vai, For My Father’s Kingdom, Take Home Pay and Gary of the Pacific. Maybe take a night off Netflix and watch something closer to home.

Here is a printable template that you are welcome to use.

References:

https://manaui.com/how-to-make-simple-cook-island-style-ika-mata/

https://www.facebook.com/pg/tangataatumotutrust/videos/?ref=page_internal

https://www.thecoconet.tv/coco-talanoa/health-well-being/island-dance-classes/

https://www.nzfilm.co.nz/films/gary-pacific

https://www.nzfilm.co.nz/films/vai

https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/take-home-pay-2019

https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/hibiscus-ruthless-2018

https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/three-wise-cousins-2015

https://www.nzfilm.co.nz/films/my-fathers-kingdom