This webinar recording will provide critical insights into the wellbeing, mental health, and importance of cultural connection for Pasifika youth in New Zealand. It was particularly focus on New Zealand-born Pacific youth and the unique pressures they face in navigating their roles and responsibilities within family, church, and community. These responsibilities are complex, often requiring significant time, energy, and resources, as youth are expected to maintain key relationships with respect and love. Through an exploration of the Vā—the sacred relational space in Pasifika culture—this webinar provided practical tools for social workers to better understand and support Pasifika youth in balancing these cultural expectations while also addressing their mental health and wellbeing needs.
Presenter bio
Kayla Fatima Schwalger
Advocate, youth mentor, and co-founder of Tapasā - Navigating Futures
Growing up feeling disconnected from her Samoan roots, Kayla navigated the complexities of her identity as a 23-year-old tama'ita'i Samoa (Samoan girl) raised in a Westernised society. This journey shaped her passion for helping young Pacific people reconnect with their cultural heritage while grappling with the realities of mental health challenges. As a neurodiverse wāhine living with Borderline Personality Disorder, Kayla brings a unique and deeply personal perspective to her advocacy for Pasifika youth. Her firsthand experiences confronting mental health stigma in Pasifika communities sparked her mission to empower youth, break generational cycles, and uplift Pacific culture as a pathway to healing. Kayla co-founded Tapasā – Navigating Futures, a platform that equips Pacific youth to reclaim their cultural identities and support their mental wellbeing. Completing her Master’s at AUT, with a thesis titled "Navigating Mental Health in the Digital Age: Insights from Young Samoans and Their Communities", Kayla’s work centres on youth empowerment and systems change. As a freelance creative—working in website design, art, writing, and photography—she uses her diverse skills to tell stories and advocate for Pasifika voices. Kayla’s kaupapa is to educate others on the ongoing effects of migration and colonisation, while highlighting opportunities for Pasifika youth to forge new paths for future generations.