Introduction
Cultural frameworks that protect and strengthen wellbeing
Nga Vaka o Kāiga Tapu’s training programmes are underpinned by cultural frameworks from eight ethnic specific Pacific islands – Niue, Samoa, Cook Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Fiji, Kiribati and Tuvalu.
The frameworks were designed by many Pacific elders, frontline practitioners, clinicans, academics and ministers of religion to protect and strengthen family wellbeing. Their work brings together cultural knowledge and evidence-based prevention and intervention models as an approach to understanding how to work with Pacific families.
What is the framework?
Each framework was developed and mandated by the community to address family violence in their communities, and to bring about strong and vibrant families through the practice of their value system.
The elements of each framework are authentically grounded in key cultural concepts, values and beliefs that promote the significance of their culture to maintaining the wellbeing of their families>
The frameworks recognise that the solution to addressing family violence in Aotearoa lies within the key values of our cultures – respectful relationships are underpinned by cultural values such as vā tapuia (sacred space) and fa’aloalo (respect). Teaching these cultural values to families, victims and perpetrators is key to creating and maintaining respectful relationships.
