From play to belonging: Pacific gamers sought for new research

Pacific gamers are being sought for a new research project exploring how online gaming shapes wellbeing, identity and relationships.

Led by Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland researcher Dr Jean M Uasike Allen, the study seeks to better understand the role gaming plays in the lives of Pacific peoples across Aotearoa, Australia and the wider Pacific, from building friendships and communities to supporting cultural identity and mental wellbeing.

While gaming is one of the world's most popular forms of entertainment, Pacific perspectives remain largely absent from research and public discussions.

"We know gaming is much more than just play," says Allen. "For many Pacific people, online spaces can be places where relationships are formed, identities are explored and communities are built across oceans and time zones."

Researchers sometimes describe these online environments as a 'third space', where people gather, build relationships and create meaning beyond home, school or work.

"For many Pacific gamers, these virtual worlds are where friendships are made, communities are formed and identities are expressed. We need to understand what happens when the village goes online."

Allen says Pacific peoples have always embraced new ways of staying connected across oceans and generations.

The project is seeking Pacific gamers aged 16 years and over who live in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia or throughout the Pacific region.

Participants can complete an online survey and, if they wish, take part in a talanoa session to speak more deeply about their gaming experiences.

Allen says Pacific peoples have long used technology to maintain family, cultural and community connections across geographical distances, yet little research has explored gaming through a Pacific lens.

"Much of what we know about gaming comes from studies conducted in North America, Europe and parts of Asia. Pacific communities have unique experiences and insights that deserve to be heard," she says.

The research will examine how online gaming influences wellbeing, identity, belonging and social relationships, with findings expected to contribute to a growing body of work focused on Pacific peoples' experiences in digital environments.

The project builds on Allen's previous research into Pacific peoples' experiences in digital spaces, which revealed how online environments can foster connection, cultural belonging and community resilience.

Her work has helped broaden public understanding of the digital lives of Pacific peoples, moving beyond stereotypes to highlight the ways Pacific communities use technology to sustain relationships, share culture and create new forms of connection across oceans and generations.

The findings have contributed to a more nuanced picture of Pacific peoples as active participants and leaders in an increasingly digital world.

Allen hopes the project will help challenge stereotypes about gaming and provide a richer understanding of the diverse ways Pacific peoples navigate digital worlds.

The study also responds to feedback from an earlier pilot project focused on Pacific youth aged 16 to 24, where older participants expressed a strong interest in sharing their perspectives and experiences. This project expands the scope of the research to ensure those voices are included.

"Gaming can be a powerful social space. We want to hear directly from Pacific gamers about what these experiences mean for them, their families and their communities."