Exploring Pasifika students' experiences during COVID and their perceptions about their futures

Malakai Vaioleti

Student researcher (Bachelor of Science Honours student in Psychology)

Supervisors

Prof. Suzanne Purdy
Sarah Kapeli
Dr. Sam Manuela

Abstract

In this research project, I explore the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Pasifika peoples, a population that has been disproportionately negatively affected relative to other communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. For many marginalized communities within Aotearoa, including Pasifika, the existing structural barriers and stratifications to health and socioeconomic opportunities have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly during the lockdown period. However, although we have seen many news articles and media portrayals of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Pasifika people, to the best of our knowledge there is currently very little to no exposure to research regarding the experiences of Pasifika high school students during the pandemic.