The following poem is not to ostracise nor glamourise particular areas of Auckland (or New Zealand) as the only places in which Pasifika peoples are affected by multiple barriers, surrounded by an environment that is perceived as more negative then others and especially not trying to assume that they are the only ones that face issues with education.
However, this poem does a good job in painting a strong picture as to the environment that many Pasifika students are familiar with-by understanding this as a reality it will help audiences as well as those in a position of influence. They need to understand the importance of making education policies that are transparent, effective and realistically consistent with Pasifika peoples way of being. However, in saying so it does not mean that this is in promotion of Pasifika special-treatment, but rather that the current education system does not reflect a multicultural society in its structure hence the disparity in the figures, statistics, school leavers, low retention rates and those of that nature.
Floor Show in the Southside
Behind the pub
Helen Clark is tagging
the same old same
rundown houses
where island kings eat Chinese takeaways
and island queens krump
so fast, so furious.
Behind the pub
Helen Clark is dancing
a slow ta’olunga
to an orchestra of dogs barking
and a symphony of sirens
she does a siva
to the soft sounds of stealing.
Behind the pub
Helen Clark sings
with a choir of tight clothes
and one house alarm crying
like a solo trumpet
after too many drinks.
Behind the pub
Helen Clark is firewalking
the fine line between donuts
and fresh cut grass towards
a drive thru umu
of chop suey, steak and cheese.
Behind the pub
Helen Clark is sailing
like a true island princess
blood on her back
blue bandanna in her hair
a marijuana leaf
tucked behind her ear.
sailing staunch on ghetto sewage
sailing scared among a wasteland of churches.
From Remuera
Don Brash slaps his chest
out of time
to her beat.
Like a taupou,
Helen points her toe elegantly
puts her foot on his chest and dances on top of him. [1]
[1] Mila, Karlo. “Duty Is Joy.” Aotearoa Ethnic Network Journal 1, no. 2 (2006): p.26.