A series on the lives, hopes and fears of 24-year-olds around the world in a year of election uncertainty, conflict and climate change.
Where do you live and who with?
I live in an intergenerational home in Auckland with my mum, my younger sister Ele (21), my cousins Anna (14) and Gabby (7), my grandpa, my partner and our family dog Koko. My grandma, also named Taualofa and our matriarch, lived with us too before she died six months ago.
What do you do?
Exist, lol. Dream daily about a better world. At the moment I’m resting as I’ve endured a lot of illness mentally and physically this year. I use journalism, writing, community activism and making as a form of service to my communities. I am a core member of a Samoan art collective.
What apps do you use?
Spotify and Netflix. I’m on a social media break at the moment – except for TikTok.
What do you listen to?
I like listening to UK drill, Latin club music, Reggaeton, Afrobeats and 70’s RnB. My mum generously passed on her love of 80’s soft rock and 90’s RnB, which are on heavy rotation for me – artists like Sade, Prince, Bee Gees, Jodeci and Babyface. My absolute favourite artists to listen to are Samoan and Tongan acoustic bands and choirs from the 70’s.
What do you eat?
I’m fixated on having fruit smoothies and peanut butter on toast, even for dinner sometimes. I eat mostly chicken, fish, rice and veggies. When I’m feeling crap I’ll probably binge eat Whittaker’s Peanut Butter chocolate. I really enjoy cooking for my family but if I’m exhausted I’ll order Chinese. I think it’s important to support our local economy and creative food businesses, if you are in a position to do so – my family and I do that on the weekends sometimes.
How do you socialise?
My socialisation levels are minimal and have been since Covid. I usually catch up with my best friend once or twice a month and we do a mix of making a meal together, playing video games, chilling, smoking cigarettes and drinking or watching a movie. We both have had a very turbulent 20s so far.
What do you wear?
I dress for my own comfort. A lot of brown and green tones. Grandma-style knit cardigans with cool patterns over long maxi dresses; cargo pants and a plain singlet, gold jewellery – I’m never without my gold locket. For shoes: chunky sandals or my Doc Martin boots. Basketball shorts, slides, baggy tees. Very relaxed and mostly masculine.
Tell us about your Saturday
My sister, my partner and I go to a market to buy fresh fruits and veggies for our whole family. We have our music on blast while my partner drives us to south Auckland – vape smoke in the air, windows down. It’s great, probably the highlight of my week. It’s just us, no adults or kids. We like trying to get as much possible, while spending the least we can – it’s like a game. We usually get a feed after from one of the small stalls – dumplings or kebabs – before making our way back to Central Auckland to a Pak’nSave for our big grocery shop for the week. We usually plan our meals for in advance so we get everything we need.
How do you relax?
Being with my people gives me energy, which helps me to relax. When I do leave the house and am actually outside, I like to support my friends and Pacific creatives doing cool things – whether it’s a gig, art show, a festival – events that bring community together,are judgment free, fun and offer a good time and/or good music.
Walking, listening to ASMR, listening to music, making art, going for a swim, watching trashy reality TV also help me relax. I’m such a chronic over-thinker, I’m always overloading my brain and searching for deeper meanings, relationships, and reasons for existing – so, doing things that don’t require much thought is really beneficial.
What do you want?
For young people to trust themselves and be courageous, loving and hopeful. For older people to listen, learn, to advocate for us and be bold and radical in their actions. For my loved ones to live without struggle or heaviness – to live full, joyful lives. For myself to welcome radical love and self acceptance and to practise joy daily. To fill my brain and to remain teachable. To achieve all my creative dreams.
What do you fear?
More loss as a family. To lose myself, or to witness a loved one lose themselves.
What do you want to tell us?
I believe in indigenous sovereignty in Aotearoa – what’s good for Māori is good for us all and there is no room for racism or colonial projects in our future. I support land returned to Indigenous communities globally and for underserved communities to be treated with respect and compassion and tohave the tools to thrive. I want a fossil fuel free future, and no more deep sea drilling. I hope for a world that welcomes and celebrates our differences.
What does the world in 2024 look like to you?
We are going to see collective solidarity at its strongest, with young Indigenous and Pacific people showing the world how necessary it is for us to lead with empathy, compassion and radical love and joy. We are going to see more and more folk refusing the tools of colonialism and capitalism and leaning into healing alongside one another.
