TEACHING CULTURE WITH A MODERN VALUABLE: LESSONS ABOUT MONEY FOR AND FROM TONGAN YOUTH IN NEW ZEALAND

Authors

Ping-Ann Addo, University of Massachusetts, Department of Anthropology, , BostonFollow

Abstract

This article explores how diaspora, monetary wealth, and kinship intersect in transnational Tongan families, framing diaspora as both a cultural phenomenon and a means of engaging with modernity. While remittances are often emphasized, the study examines nonremittance money practices among Tongans in New Zealand, showing how shifting uses of money redefine kinship and obligation. Traditional forms of wealth, like koloa and ngāue, remain significant, but money now plays a vital role in expressing family values and sustaining social bonds. The article highlights tensions between tradition and modernity, obligation and autonomy, and material and relational value, offering insights into how diasporic Pacific communities navigate economic change while maintaining cultural principles.

Recommended Citation

Addo, Ping-Ann (2012) "TEACHING CULTURE WITH A MODERN VALUABLE: LESSONS ABOUT MONEY FOR AND FROM TONGAN YOUTH IN NEW ZEALAND," Pacific Studies Journal: Vol. 35: No. 1, Article 2.
Available at: https://digitalcollections.byuh.edu/pacific-studies-journal/vol35/iss1/2