Hard work is being shrugged and people are becoming lazy says Father Paulo Filoiali'I as he explains his take on the issue of people complaining about the cost of living and the absence of traditional habits of farming and fishing.

He said he wants to challenge the youth to rise up to the challenge and get involved in the community.

Fr. Paulo was in the country to attend a funeral. He is the first Samoan and Pacific Catholic priest to be serving in Christchurch, New Zealand since 1997.

“I am very concerned about children selling on the streets and for people to use the excuse that families are doing this because the cost of living has increased is not a good one,” he said.

“I remember growing up at a time when all families had a canoe. We used to work in the office during the day and in the evening we would be fishing. Fish was an important part of our meal.

“I have seen land overgrown with grass, the same land which can be used for farming. There is potential in farming even on a small scale. Families would never need to use the excuse that the cost of living is high.

“This would also keep Samoans healthy.”

Fr. Paulo also raised concerns about the involvement of youth in meth and crime. He said this shows there was a need for leaders at all levels to have a common approach.

He said this was an issue that required all church denominations to come together and come up with a plan collectively on how they can better engage youth.

“I work with the Pacific community and these are issues that are not just limited to here. We have to constantly keep challenging the youth. They need to be involved otherwise they will feel left out and when that happens they get involved in things they are not supposed to,” he said.

“Our youths have potential and as their elders, they need to be guided. Sometimes parents are busy with other things and they do not pay attention to the children, this is when children look for places where they are recognised and fit in.

“I believe the drug issue is not only an issue for the police and government, it needs the community, the church and everyone who is affected.”

He was ordained as a priest in 1990 and served in Rome for seven years. For him to become a priest, he spent a year learning Italian and Latin. He then went on to obtain a Bachelor of Philosophy and Masters in Model Theology at Pontificia Universitas Lateranensis in Italy.

“I was a clerk at the judiciary in Samoa before I became a priest. It was not easy but I was dedicated and made sure that I worked hard,” he said.

“I hope to pass this message to my fellow Samoans that everyone needs to work hard to make their lives better.”

Fr Paulo was a founding member of the Pacific Trust Canterbury in 2008 and a founding Board Member of Tangata Atumotu Trust from 2008 to 2014. In 2011, Fr Paulo was awarded the Hero and Service Award for his services to the Christchurch Earthquake.

He was also awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for his service to the Pacific community at the end of 2022.