Pacific Village (TAKI)

Who are we?

Bula Vinaka, Mālō e lelei, Kia Orana, Talofa Lava, and Warm Pacific Greetings from Taki (Pacific Village).

Taki (Pacific Village) were members of the Power to Protect Integration Project Steering Committee. Members were made up of representatives from Fiji, Tonga, Cook Islands, and Samoa, drawn from community groups and organizations such as Te Ora Puāwai, Moana Connect, Safekids Aotearoa, and the Starship Health Digital team.

Taki objectives

Taki developed new ways of messaging “shaken baby prevention,” complementary to the work of whānau Māori and aligned with “Tau Ai Te Ira,” to inform and empower Pacific communities. Moana Connect was commissioned to facilitate community engagement with Pacific peoples, resulting in a 2023 report: “The Power to Protect Pacific Village Content Build INSIGHTS: Talanoa with parents, families and caregivers’ report.”

The following insights from this report provided guidance for our work:

  1. Focus on parental wellbeing, and aspirations parents have for their children

  2. Describe the WHY behind each P2P message and use visuals to make it engaging.

  3. Share messages respectfully (tone, approach, delivery, facilitator, timing)

  4. Break messages down – there is lots to learn as new parents!

  5. Encourage the use of social media for promoting messages

  6. Use of Pacific influencers and ambassadors

    1. Ensure messages are coupled with real life experiences and tips

    2. Explore using parents’ vlogs (provides relatable experiences)

  7. Take advantage of the spaces where parents and families already gather (e.g rugby clubs, Early Childhood Education Centres, churches)

Development of Taki resources

Resources were based on the premise that “it takes a village to raise our children,” acknowledging the diversity of Pacific families which are typically intergenerational and located in multiple households.

Taki proudly partnered with “My Baby’s Village,” a Pacific initiative that aligns with baby and child wellbeing. This provided a wider pathway for Power to Protect to firmly establish a presence within these vibrant and diverse communities.

Resources also aimed to celebrate the important role of Pacific men in raising children, and the differences in how fathers successfully navigate their unique parenting spaces.

Taki videos

The three videos commissioned, showcase successful navigation through parenting challenges. These videos capture some of the gems and challenges shared by Dr. Tumanako Fa’aui in his parenting journey. Taki acknowledges his generosity and that of his family for graciously opening their home and for their invaluable contribution

A special thanks to the Starship Digital team and Moana Connect for their unstinting support in producing and directing these videos. Taki would also like to thank Tupu Setu Sio for generously participating in Video #3, Lalaga Card Game.

  • Video #1 “To My Girls”

  • Video #2 “ Fatherhood – A Dad’s Eye View”

  • Video #3 “Two Dads Talking”

Taki Animation

The story in this animation highlights one everyday experience of a Pacific dad in caring for his baby. Taki collaborated with Pacific Kid’s Learning (PKL), whose innovative graphics and 3D animation aligned strongly with the new P2P messaging.

  • A Pacific Dad Keeping It Real