Preparing for Impact: Kāiga Wellbeing and Family Vision Mapping
In Porirua, Tokelauan kāiga are strengthening their sense of belonging and wellbeing through collective goal-setting, cultural connection, and intergenerational learning. During 2025 the Atafu Tokelau Community Group Inc (ATCG) held a Kāiga Wellbeing / Summer Camp in New Plymouth, bringing together families to reconnect with their roots and plan for the future together.
The camp attracted up to 150 adults, youth, and children, offering opportunities for individuals and families to reconnect with Tokelau culture through storytelling, genealogy, fatele, communal meals, and teachings from elders. These shared experiences created space for intergenerational knowledge transfer and strengthened family bonds.
One of the key components of the camp was Family Vision Mapping, where individuals and families were supported to set goals across health, education, and faith.
For Jo and Tito Kisona, attending the camp was a deliberate choice grounded in identity and belonging.
“As a family, Jo and I are always making deliberate decisions around how we can keep our children connected to their Tokelau community,” they shared.
“Being Tokelau means knowing you are part of something bigger. It is in this community we learn language, our cultural intelligence, and different ways of seeing the world.”
They described the goal-setting process as one of the most meaningful aspects of the camp.
“Goal setting was awesome. The template helped us chunk our goals down so that we could see the goal and the little steps we need to be thinking about.
“It was a great way for kids to see how to set goals within bigger goals.”
The process also opened space for deeper family conversations.
“Family goals opened up conversations that made me a little emotional. Hearing the goals of my children was meaningful.”
Since returning home, the impact has continued.
“Having a plan meant having children who were a little more driven towards goals,” they said.
“One goal was fitness. Having our children part of the plan meant they naturally owned it and were driven to ensure the goals were met.”
Even when goals are missed, the family has learned to keep perspective.
“When we miss a mark, which happens, as a family we keep going. We keep our eyes focused on the overarching goals and not trip up on the smaller mishaps.”
Supported by Pasefika Proud, initiatives such as the Kāiga Wellbeing camp reflect a strengths-based approach to family wellbeing, one that centres culture, collective responsibility, and the ability of Pacific communities to lead solutions for their own kāiga.
