Pacific youth on Dr Clydesdale and raising the drinking age
SPASIFIKmag.com intern MELE TU’UHOLOAKI from the Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) hits the streets again to gather opinion from our young educated Pacific youth about issues important to the community, whether they were aware of them or not!
They were asked the following questions.
1) Do you agree with Dr Clydesdale’s report stating that Pacific people are draining the N.Z economy?
2) Will raising the drinking age to 21 years of age, bring down the high rates of alcohol abuse amongst young Maori & Pacific people?
Name Fosa Leilua
Age 18
Gender Female
Study Auckland University of Technology - Tourism Studies
Ethnicity Samoan (Sagone & Siumu)
Hometown Otara
1) “Yes I agree in some ways. Because some Pacific Islanders go on the benefit and work at the same time, but they’re living a lie. But then I think that some Pacific Islanders are successful and they deserve a thumbs up.”
2) “Yes, because some have already been involved with alcohol and violence abuse. 18 is too young and no good.”
Name Afu Maasi
Age 16
Gender Male
Study De La Salle College
Ethnicity Tongan (Lapaha)
Hometown Otara
1) “Yep it’s true, because education is poor with most of our Pacific Islanders.”
2) “It will make no difference because 18 year old’s will still get someone to buy alcohol for them”
Name Sione Bloomfield
Age 16
Gender Male
Study De La Salle College
Ethnicity Tongan (Fuamotu)
Hometown Mangere
1) “Yes, because too many immigrants come to New Zealand and that’s too much money spent.”
2) “No, rates will go higher because raising the age will make them feel more rebel like.” 
Name Kevin Tui
Age 16
Gender Male
Study De Salle College
Ethnicity Tongan (Lapaha)
Hometown Otara
1) “I don’t agree with it, because sometimes other races don’t look at us equally. Pacific Islanders are treated differently so I don’t think it’s fair.”
2) “Yes, I think it will affect younger ones and make them feel uncomfortable drinking publicly because they know they’ll get in trouble.” 
Name Junior Isaia
Age 19
Gender Male
Study Auckland University of Technology- Social Studies
Ethnicity Samoan (Nofoali’i & Moata’a)
Hometown Manukau
1) “No, because there are many good and hard working P.I’s that contribute to the economy.”
2) “It won’t change the current rates because young ones can ask the older ones to get alcohol for them.” 
Name Aroha McKeen
Age 24
Gender Female
Occupation Glassons Queen Street Manager.
Ethnicity Cook Islands (Avaroa & Aitutaki) Maori
Hometown Nil
1) “I don’t believe it to be true because we pick and choose what we do in our lives, so we’re not draining the economy.”
2) “Raising the drinking age won’t affect anything because they’ll get it one way or another.” 
Name Mary Itamua
Age 18
Gender Female
Study Auckland Hotel & Chef Training School
Ethnicity Samoan (Manase)
Hometown Mangere.
1) “I don’t think so. Hell no, because P.I’s deserve to come to New Zealand and have a good life.”
2) “Yes, I think it will be effective because they will be more mature enough to control attitudes when they’re drunk.” 
Name Milli Lavea
Age 17
Gender Female
Study Auckland Hotel & Chef Training School
Ethnicity Samoan (Safotu)
Hometown Mt Albert
1) “No, not all. I think that there are other ethnic groups like us that are not being talked about. New Zealand is not a one race country so I don’t think the report is true and fair.”
2) “Yes, big time. It’s all about maturity.” 
Name Kelcey Ioane
Age 18
Gender Female
Study University of Auckland-Law & Arts.
Ethnicity Samoan (Vaisala & Vaivase)
Hometown Mangere
1) “I think that we are actually contributing to New Zealand’s economy. For example in the sports realm. People have paid and still pay heaps of money to see our Pacific All-Blacks such as Rodney So’oialo.”
2) “No, it won’t make a difference because you’re not exactly stopping youth from consuming alcohol at such a young age but instead, your just stopping them from buying alcohol. By limiting the drinking age, it’s going to increase P.I rebellion.” 
Name Juanessa Greig
Age 18
Gender Female
Study University of Auckland-Bachelors of Arts
Ethnicity Samoan (Le’auva’a)
Hometown Mangere
1) “No, because we’re helping the economy. We eventually get jobs and pay our fair share of taxes.”
2) “Not really because there is not that much of a difference now. They’ll find a way to get wasted some how.”
