Tagata Tangata 5 - Te Ao HuriHuri / The Changing World (Episode Five)

Palikapu’s struggle to uphold the knowledge of his ancestors, in a world that does not value it, is a reality we in Polynesia all face. We live in a changing world — te ao hurihuri — where the modern world and that of our ancestors are seldom compatible. For us, this means cultural adjustment, compromise and more often than not, sacrifice and loss.

– Tagata Tangata narrator and co-writer Ramona Papali'i

...we live in a foreign system, and we are compelled to adopt and adjust in order to survive in this system ... The major causes of death are the major ones of so-called civilisation: that is heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and accidents mainly from machinery, automobiles. And we lead in all of those categories, and we have the shortest life expectancy. We have the highest infant mortality rates ... the highest rates for suicide, especially among our young men ... we have the highest rates for incarceration in our jails.

– University of Hawai'i Professor of Medicine Kekuni Blaisdell, on health statistics for native Hawaiians

Our parliament now is just a rubber stamp, a sounding board for cabinet, and the Privy Council's policies. I would like to see the King's power reduced. I think he has too much power ... I don't think that's his fault; it is the fault of the constitution.

– Tongan academic Futa Helu on 1990s Tongan politics and Prime Minister Baron Vaea

We have been very warm in our reception of the foreign religion — namely christianity — but the oppressive part of that religion, should be stripped and thrown overboard.

– Futa Helu, Founding Director of Tonga's Atanesi Institute, on Western religion

I have no difficulties with it. I can talk to Tangaroa, I can talk to Tane, because for me, they're as real as the idea of talking to God through Christ.

– Reverend Hone Kaa on how he and other Māori and Pasifika people combine christianity with traditional beliefs and spirituality