Housing and Related Social Conditions of the Tongan Community living in Otara. Ko e Fale Nofo

170 Pages·2004·1.15 MB·English

1
Housing and Related Social Conditions of the Tongan Community
living in Otara.
Ko e Fale Nofo’anga’ pea mo ‘ene Fekau’aki mo e Mo’ui ‘a e Kāinga
Tonga Nofo `i Otara.
By
Moses Ngaluopea ‘Alatini
A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Political Studies,
The University of Auckland, 2004
2
Abstract
This thesis explores the key fundamental issues, which has contributed in forcing the
majority of Tongan people in this country to live in rental accommodation. Around 80
percent of the total Tongan community in New Zealand resides in the greater Auckland
region. This region claims to be the largest Polynesian city in the world. Yet, the irony is
that Pacific Island people are being pushed out of the central city areas and into more
marginalised suburbs on the urban periphery. One such area is Otara, in Southern
Auckland, where a survey was mailed out to Tongan households in regards to their
accommodation. Much of the conclusions drawn from this survey echoed similar social
and housing related problems, associated with ethnic minorities who are commonly
bracketed as low-income earners living in low socio-economic areas, which are notorious
for substandard housing. The thesis also examines how cultural practices, especially the
sense of responsibility to the nuclear as well as the extended family, is regarded by many
Tongan people as their obligatory duty in conforming to the notion of ‘ofa (love) for
someone less fortunate than themselves. The problem with this sense of responsibility is
that in a capitalist market-driven economy, society is only perceived as either two things:
a consumer or a producer. Unfortunately, for many Tongan households cultural
obligations coupled with rising housing costs, converge to influence household
expenditure. Yet, although from an ‘outsiders’ perspective, cultural practices can be
perceived as a hindrance to the ability of Tongan people to actively participate in society.
For Tongan people it is simply a way of life. The design of their homes fail to
accommodate for the needs of much larger family structures and has inevitably forced
Tongan people to improvise with the resources and necessary capital available. To
3
accommodate for space Tongan people have renovated their garages in order to serve a
multitude of purposes. These purposes include living quarters, storage for ceremonial
goods, chapels or simply a place for gathering of immediate and extended family and
friends, which develops a sense of social cohesion amongst family members. The thesis
also examines how change in the government’s housing policies has influenced the type
of dwelling Tongan people have been forced to reside in due to the unaffordable nature of
the housing market, especially in the Auckland region.
4
Dedication
To my parents Saia and Nonu ‘Alatini.
5
Acknowledgements
The completion of this thesis can be attributed to the support and guidance of many
individuals. My sincere thanks must go out to my supervisor, Dr Raymond Miller. Thank
you for your constant support and concern in encouraging me to complete this thesis.
Your patience with my somewhat casual and overly relaxed approach to my work has in
recent months been the driving force, behind my motivation to persist on in trying to
complete this thesis. How you put up with my ways, I will never know. Once again thank
you for giving me another chance, your faith in me to complete, is a blessing on its own.
My appreciation also goes out to Dr Helena Catt, who took time out during her hectic
schedule to supervise my work whilst Raymond was on sabbatical.
A huge thank you must be attributed to the Centre for Housing Research, for providing
me with the financial support in order to make this study possible. Your generous support
has been invaluable considering what was required financially of me.
Further acknowledgements must also be attributed to Dr ‘Okusi Mahina for his help in
the translation of the mail-out survey. Also his willingness to help out and provide any
advice on the cultural aspects of this study has been extremely helpful and invaluable. I
would also like to thank my proofreaders Marcia, Tala, Mele and Kenneth for the late
nights you spared in trying to make sense of my work. Thanks guys and God Bless!
Finally, my heart goes out to all the Tongan families who participated in this study.
Without your willingness to contribute and help out, this study would not have been
6
possible. The same goes for my family, who have stood by me right throughout my years
at university, Thank you.
7
Contents
Abstract ii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgements v
List of Figures viii
Introduction 1
Chapter 1 14
The Development of the Otara Area
Chapter 2 34
Housing Policy in New Zealand: An In-Depth Look at the last 30 years
Chapter 3 59
Housing and the Tongan Community
Chapter 4 88
Findings from the survey of Tongan households living in Otara.
Conclusion 126
Appendices 145
List of References 154
Glossary 158
8
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE 1 A traditional Tongan fale. 68
FIGURE 2 A town ‘api showing a European-style house 68
and two semi-traditional houses (wooden walls
with thatched roof and reed walls with an iron
roof).
FIGURE 3 Pigs are a common part of Tongan households. 69
FIGURE 4 A pig on the spit, ready to serve its ceremonial 69
purpose.
FIGURE 5 An important time between a mother and her 70
child. The ‘api also serves as a learning centre.
FIGURE 6 Typical Tongan family preparing food outside 70
using wood.
FIGURE 7 Kava drinking – a time for men socialise and 71
interact with others.
FIGURE 8 Preparing an ‘umu in a traditional earth oven. 71
FIGURE 9 Geographic distribution of the Tongan 88
Population, 2001
FIGURE 10 Form of Income 90
FIGURE 11 Sources of Annual Personal Income of the Tongan, 92
Pacific and New Zealand Populations, 2001
FIGURE 12 Tongan Households in Otara 94
FIGURE 13 Home Ownership among the Tongan Population, 96
2001
9
FIGURE 14 Home Mortgage affordability as a percentage of the 97
national average, by region (June Quarter 1998 to
2002)
FIGURE 15 Proportion of household income spent on household 98
costs.
FIGURE 16 Average number of tenants 102
FIGURE 17 Average number of tenants to bedrooms. 104
FIGURE 18 Overcrowding percentages amongst Pacific Island 105
people
FIGURE 19 Percentage of garage/outhouse and lounge occupants 107
FIGURE 20 Percentage of Households who believe that the 109
condition of a home can cause healthy people to
to become ill.
FIGURE 21 Structural problems with the home. 111
FIGURE 22 The level of education of at least one member of the 115
household.
FIGURE 23 Advantages of living in households with extended 119
families.
FIGURE 24 Disadvantages of living in extended families. 120
10
Introduction
Hitherto little research has been conducted on the impact of housing conditions on low-
income Tongan families. Most Tongans live in rental housing, with state housing being
the most likely option. Since Tongan families frequently take in relatives and friends,
many of them recent immigrants to New Zealand, crowded living conditions is not
uncommon. Together with their severe financial conditions, language problems and
unfamiliarity with New Zealand life, some recent immigrants are unaware of their rights
and responsibilities with respect to housing.
¾ This project aims to examine the effects of housing conditions on the health and
other social conditions of members of the Tongan community living in Otara.
These may include: malnutrition; underperformance in schools; and the impact of
low incomes.
¾ Do high housing costs relegate low-income families to a lifetime of poverty?
¾ How much of this can be attributed to cultural obligations?
¾ Is there discrimination in the private housing sector (i.e. in terms of race, age and
income)?
¾ Are housing policies and government subsidies helping to prevent low socio-
economic families from falling into a state of financial hardship? In particular, I
wish to explore the effects of market rents on low-income Tongan families (a
majority of Tongan families fall into this category).