A study by Tongan-raised Victoria Ongolea and Auckland University Professor Carla Houkamau, showed that for Tongans living in New Zealand, wealth could not be measured by bank balance alone.

Titled Balancing Anga Faka-Tonga (the Tongan way of life) with financial well-being, the study utilised the Kakala framework and drawing on narratives gathered from talanoa with 13 Aotearoa New Zealand- based Tongans between 20 and 60 years of age.

Victoria Ongolea, a Financial Well-being Coach for Good Shepherd NZ, and University of Auckland PhD candidate, was raised in Lapaha Tongatapu, Tonga. She migrated to Aotearoa, New Zealand with her family almost a decade ago. In those early years, the family numbered just over a dozen under one roof, before they move to settle into their own place.

Ongolea began working as a Financial Mentor for Tāmaki Budgeting, and became aware of the realities of life in Aotearoa for Pacific peoples.

“It opened my eyes to the struggle that my people were going through, which motivated this research to understand and amplify our voices, and find practical solutions to how to help my people.”

“People back home had no idea of the cost of living in New Zealand, the assumption that living here meant you had money,” says Ongolea. Community and family continued to support one another through fatongia (cultural obligations) and fua kavenga (social and financial expectations) such as sending money back home to family and villages in the islands and church contributions, but it came at a cost.

Ongolea realised the need for greater awareness through education and financial literacy.

“The challenge I face in my role, is working in a system that doesn’t understand our values as Pasifika Communities, which is hard because the underlying issues of financial hardships are more than just not having money or a source of income.”

She said the issues run deeper than having knowledge of the financial system. There was the double-load of being financially responsible for both your household in New Zealand, as well as the community back in the islands.

“It’s about balancing responsibilities and how western culture does not understand why we do, what we do as Pacific people.”

Her research showed that for participants, wealth could not be measured by bank balance alone.

The study showed that many believed money and wealth derived from God, that money should be shared, not kept for personal gain. They also expressed emotional distress over fatongia (cultural obligations) or felt responsible for shouldering the burden of fua kavenga (social and financial expectations.)

“We invest in our relationships, we invest in our families, we invest in each other, that’s the way we look at giving and reciprocity."

“There's a saying, ‘Ko e masiva oku ongo taha, a e hala hā kāinga’, which means that to have no kin or no family is to be in extreme poverty.”

Ongolea hopes the research will create more understanding about the experience of the Tongan diaspora in Aotearoa.

There was a call for more open discussions about financial challenges, given people were often unaware of the hardship and difficulties faced when monetary requests were made.

The politician, the late Fa’nānā Efeso Collins had argued for tithing to be banned at churches located in low-income communities, noting that tithing from those on low incomes and beneficiaries was not acceptable, and that it can lead to abuse, particularly if unaffordable. Although research participants didn’t indicate they were against the practice of gifting to churches, there was an emphasis to keep donations manageable.

“I want to empower our people, have understanding around the struggle and provide practical effective solutions,” said Ongolea.

She wants policies that target intervention to support the community’s overall wellbeing, and as well as promote financial well-being and literacy, while respecting Tongan culture and values.

Meanwhile, Professor Houkamau specialises in social psychology, and is Deputy Dean of the University’s Business School said it’s important to address how people approached money, wealth and savings in a practical way, along with what values were placed on them.

“Many of my family members have run businesses, both on my Māori and Pākehā sides, which gave my cousins and me plenty of opportunities to contribute. I see Victoria's work as being about more than financial literacy - it's about identity and culture."

“I feel fortunate to learn about Tongan culture and language, which offers rich insights into a sophisticated value system I can relate to but is also different from my own. I am really excited to keep working with her through her PhD.”

Ongolea is excited to continue her research journey through her PhD in Management, that will focus on the Tongan community.