The more the merrier: Pacific households rated happier in larger families

Pacific Islanders themselves believe that their large families are the reason for their high well-being rating in a new Stats NZ report.

Pacific peoples rate the well-being of their family higher than that of the total population, with a 8.1 out of 10 general rating compared to a 7.7 for the total population, according to the 2023 Stats NZ Pacific Housing, People, Place and Wellbeing report.

The report also show that Pacific peoples are more likely to live in large households, highlighting that “over half of Pacific peoples lived in a household with five or more people compared with the almost one-fifth of the total population.”

It's a finding that hasn't surprised Bulou Vosailagi and Rosie Inoke.

Vosailagi, the eldest daughter in a Fijian family of five, says that since Pacific families are heavily influenced by church, there are many spiritual values which help.

“We’ve been through financial hardships. The housing crisis here in New Zealand is worrying for us but I think having a big family is overall great. I do think that it has pros and cons, but yes for sure big families and our certain values help us to be happier as one.”

Inoke adds, “I think it's important to have these certain values which keep us humble and happy because at the end of the day the values that you project on to others is what shows where your family comes from.”