Balancing Cultural Values and Financial Well-being: A Tongan PhD Student’s Insights on Life in New Zealand
Victoria Ongolea, a first-year PhD student at Waipapa Taumata Rau’s Business School, is delving into the complexities faced by Tongans living in New Zealand. Her research, rooted in her Master’s work, explores the challenges of maintaining cultural obligations while navigating financial well-being in a new cultural context.
Ongolea, who has served as a Financial Mentor and Well-being Coach in non-profit organizations, understands firsthand the difficulties faced by low-income families struggling with debt. Her doctoral research focuses on empowering Tongans in New Zealand through Cultural Financial Capability Education. Using the Kakala Research Framework and Talanoa, her study provides a deep insight into the experiences of Tongans living in Aotearoa.
“Living away from one’s homeland can present significant challenges, particularly when one’s values and morals do not align with the prevailing norms of the new environment,” Ongolea notes. Her research highlights the tension between upholding fatongia (obligations) to family, community, church, and homeland while adapting to life in a different cultural landscape.
Participants in Ongolea’s study reveal the delicate balance between social and financial well-being, a balance that is integral to their identity and the preservation of Tauhi vā/vaha‘a, or relationships. However, the struggle to maintain this balance often leads to difficult trade-offs. Some individuals find themselves prioritizing one aspect—social or financial—at the expense of the other.
The study also uncovers contrasting perspectives between Tongan migrants and those born and raised in New Zealand, highlighting unique dynamics and challenges. While the cultural richness is celebrated, participants also shed light on the misconceptions and difficulties they encounter.
“Balancing social and financial well-being as a Tongan living abroad is a delicate equilibrium,” Ongolea reflects. “Do we prioritize one at the expense of the other? This internal conflict represents a tug of war, a challenging situation where individuals must adapt to difficult circumstances and make constant trade-offs.”