Pacific Dynamics: Journal Articles

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Open Access
Land Law Literacy and Its Impacts on iTaukei Land Governance and Political Affiliation
(Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, 2024) Sakai, Sevanaia
Empirical research on land tenure in Fiji has rarely paid attention to the fact that the iTaukei knowledge of their land rights is not only a sine qua non (prerequisite) in their ability to enforce these rights but will also affect their attitude towards land reforms, political party affiliation, ethnic relations, investment, governance, and management. Issues relating to land ownership, in the main, reflect the socio-political configuration of iTaukei society, including their status as the first people in a heterogeneous society fashioned during the colonial period. This article is based on a PhD dissertation. It focuses on native land literacy (or lack of it) and its implications on customary land governance and political affiliations. Apart from the literature on customary land tenure in Fiji, this study uses mixed-methods research by engaging the hermeneutic paradigms and operationalizing a bundle of predominantly qualitative methods tailored specifically to suit the iTaukei context in the village of Narewa in Nadi. The findings of this empirical study will fill a significant void in the literature and provide evidence of the impact of land law literacy on individual and village land governance and on resources that are owned collectively. It will also contribute to discussions about how land insecurity influences political party choices among iTaukei affiliations.
Open Access
Book Review: Remembering Epeli Hau'ofa: His Life and Legacy
(Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, 2024) Nicole, Robert
Open Access
Threats to Heritage Collections in Papua New Guinea: A Preliminary Case Study on 'Cause-Risk-Effect' in Preventive Conservation Issues at Papua New Guinea’s National Museum and Art Gallery
(Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, 2024) Tulupul, Stalen Jethro; Toshiya, Matsui; Ondirari, Kevin; Kazumu, Kuramitsu; Yoshiko, Honda
Different museums have different systems for addressing problems associated with agents of deterioration. There are guidelines from regional and international governing bodies, such as the Pacific Islands Museums Association (PIMA) and the International Council of Museums (ICOM), on maintaining museum collections. The guidelines are based on many knowledge contributions to heritage conservation and preservation over time. However, the ‘governing bodies’ do not directly handle the museum collections within the museums' custody, and therefore, it is their (museums’) responsibility to develop systems that are practical in their capacity to achieve their goals. This case study presents the context of the situation at the and addresses possible threats from problems that are likely to influence conservation efforts. The article includes an illustration of case studies on three agents of deterioration (incorrect relative humidity, incorrect temperature, and pests) and the widespread presence of mould within the building. The analysis of the ‘cause-risk-effect’ attributes threats to systems breakdowns and situations such as lack of proper policy guidelines and deficiency in knowledge capacity, that put the museum collections at risk.
Open Access
Cultural Thinking, Communal Motivation and Diabetes Mitigation: A Study of the Indigenous Fijian (iTaukei) Community in Aotearoa/New Zealand
(Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, 2024) Vakamacawai, Esala; Vunibola, Suliasi; Ratuva, Steven
The incidence of diabetes (Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus) amongst the diaspora Indigenous Fijians (iTaukei) in Aotearoa/New Zealand is increasing at an alarming rate and seems to replicate the situation in Fiji. This paper argues that beyond the medical and clinical methods of mitigation, there is a need to think innovatively about alternative approaches based on understanding people’s perceptions of diabetes and using this to transform behaviour using community-centred approaches. The idea is to address some of the social and cultural variables which impact on their health condition. This paper uses the tarakoro ethnographic approach to examine community narratives on diabetes as well as suggest ways of addressing diabetes through behavioural change using community motivation in the form of the solesolevaki cultural approach. Changes in diet and other forms of lifestyle as a result of socio-economic and cultural transformation, have impacted on the Fijian diaspora community. How much do people know about diabetes and how can this knowledge be translated into transformative action? Knowledge is a powerful tool of personal and societal change which can be used to inform health and wellbeing mitigation approaches at the community level. In this regard, the paper examines the level of understanding, perceptions, and narratives of diabetes amongst the iTaukei community living in Aotearoa/New Zealand and how these can form the basis for developing a community-based health strategy to induce behavioural change based on indigenous knowledge and community motivation as a platform for collective action.
Open Access
The Geopolitics of Deep Sea Ports in the Pacific
(Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, 2024) Naidu, Vijay; Lutu, Vasemaca; Asi, Claire
This paper examines the growing geopolitical contestation in the Pacific over funding deep-water port development and accessing terrestrial and marine resources including minerals, military safe harbours, and shipping lanes. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its funding of deep-water ports as part of the Maritime Silk Road (MSRI), have seemingly endangered the historical role and influence of certain western countries, engendering strategic responses by the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, aid, technical assistance, and loans for major infrastructural development feature in this competition. This paper is based on research on the experiences of four Pacific Island Countries (PICs),1 namely Cook Islands, Tonga, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. For Pacific Small Islands Developing States (PSIDS), donor funding and technical assistance are welcomed, but the inherent geopolitical and resource interests associated with deep-water port resourcing is a major challenge. The heightened contestation has given PSIDS unprecedented leverage in negotiating infrastructural and development aid. It is argued that patronising attitudes in official statements and media commentaries are not conducive to cordial relationships with PICs (Blades 2021) nor are grand geopolitical strategies formulated in foreign capitals with no consultation with PSIDS' governments (Hawkins 2023).
Open Access
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Trust Fund in the Pacific: Effectiveness and Shortcomings
(Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, 2024) Sale, Emma
This paper highlights the effectiveness and shortcomings of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Trust Fund in the Pacific. It focuses on the five recent funding cycles GEF-4 to GEF-8, spanning over two decades from 2006 to 2026. It draws from documented evidence, lived/worked experiences, and an analysis of available literature covering the period 2007 to 2023. The paper draws heavily on the author’s analyses of GEF data and is based on over two decades of development work experience in the Pacific region, which covers climate change and climate financing. The paper highlights how the collective efforts of the Pacific, as a region, can be optimized to effect much-needed changes within the GEF Trust Fund. These changes reflect a number of perceived weaknesses in the Facility including the slow-paced evolution of the GEF Trust Fund, the lack of scholarly research on climate change mitigation, and other issues pertaining to equity, and the lack of meaningful operationalization of the GEF Trust Fund. The paper concludes with a number of propositions including shifting from early wins and being a participant-controlled mechanism, to being people-centered and prioritizing local environmental benefits with dual impact on social protection.
Open Access
Introduction: Reaching Beyond Disciplinary Borders
(Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, 2024) Nicole, Robert
As we come to the end of another year and ponder on the excitement and prospects of moving into the second quarter of the 21st Century, a journal like ours offers opportunities for scholars of greater Oceania to share the insights of their research, to push themselves to think critically about the issues that we face as a region, and to offer creative and strategic propositions about how we might better serve the communities that have made our ocean their home. True to its core vision, this issue of Pacific Dynamics covers a wide range of perspectives from across the disciplinary spectrum. The first article reflects our continuing preoccupation with climate change. The second examines how large powers and island states are using ports in their various geopolitical manoeuvrings. The health of Pacific communities is the subject of two further articles with a special focus on diabetes. We also cross the colonial linguistic divide to welcome an article about the status of Polynesian languages spoken in French Polynesia. Another article investigates the state of Papua New Guinea’s national museum and art gallery while another is about land literacy among iTaukei in Fiji. The issue ends with a review of the recently published book, Remembering Epeli Hau’ofa: His Life and Legacy.
Open Access
Type 2 Diabetes in Different Pacific Groups in Aotearoa New Zealand – Characteristics and Medication Use
(Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, 2024) Chepulis, Lynne; Papa, Valentina; Mustafa, Sara; Rodrigues, Mark; Paul, Ryan; Aporosa, Apo; Crosswell, Rebekah; Vaka, Sione
Pacific peoples are disproportionately affected by type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Aotearoa New Zealand (ANZ). However, little is known about the burden of disease in different Pacific ethnic groups. Thus, this study aims to explore T2D characteristics and medication use in different island groups of Pacific individuals in ANZ. Primary care clinical and demographic data was collected for Pacific patients with T2D aged ≥ 18 years from primary health organisations across Auckland and Waikato (n = 302 practices; February 2021 – July 2022). Most recent clinical measures (HbA1c, cholesterol, blood pressure) and diabetes medication use were recorded and compared between ethnic groups. Data was available for 10,414 Pacific patients, including 4031 Samoan, 2033 Tongan, 1513 Cook Island Māori, 1463 Fijian, 797 Niuean and 98 Tokelauan adults. HbA1c levels were highest in Tongan patients and lowest in Fijian patients (P < 0.001 vs other groups); and Cook Island Māori and Samoan patients had a higher proportion of patients with cardiovascular/renal disease than other ethnic groups. Metformin use was comparable across ethnic groups, but SGLT2i/GLP1RA prescribing was lowest in Fijian patients (36.6% vs 39.9%-48.8%; P < 0.001). The use of medications for cholesterol and blood pressure were comparable across groups. The study finds that there are distinct differences in the characteristics and medication use of Pacific patients with T2D. Care must be taken to not always review Pacific people as a collective group, but rather to explore their clinical and demographical differences with the aim of tailoring care to each ethnic group as required.
Open Access
Language use and attitudes in French Polynesia with a focus on higher education students
(Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, 2024) Bissoonauth-Bedford, Anu
This paper examines language use and attitudes in French Polynesia where French comes in contact with Tahitian, a lingua franca, and other indigenous Polynesian languages. Preliminary results from a pilot study among university students in Tahiti reveal that whilst five distinct Polynesian languages were present in the grandparents’ generations, they have been replaced by French and Tahitian in the home environment, thus suggesting a shift from other Polynesian languages towards Tahitian and French across two generations. Paradoxically, Polynesian languages are valued as a cultural heritage that needs to be maintained, but younger generations of Polynesians are viewed as ‘not making the effort’ to sustain their ancestral languages. French as the dominant language is seen as having a bright future, and as part of Tahitian culture, while English, although the dominant language in the Pacific region, is for most a foreign language. The relationship between French, Tahitian and other Polynesian languages is one of triglossia (Charpentier and François 2015, 101), where French has the highest status followed by Tahitian with the other Polynesian languages lagging behind. This article gives an overview of the social history and language situation in French Polynesia, with a focus on Tahiti. It then describes the methodology and data collected in situ. The conclusion explores implications of recent favourable language policies of local governments and the future of multilingualism for French Polynesia in the Pacific region.
Open Access
From an ideology of ‘Place’ to an ontology of ‘Presence’: Towards a new constellation in Pacific thought
(Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, 2023) Rakuita, Tui
The notion of ‘Place’ in discourses on the Pacific or, more specifically, on Oceanic identity has, for a variety of reasons, been imbued with uncertain ethical and ideological provenance. At best it misrecognises the intrinsic nomadic disposition in the Oceanian psyche by mooring it to ‘land’. At worst, it is quite oblivious to contemporary realities in Oceania; realities that are increasingly defined, on the one hand, by an exclusionary form of politics tied to an ideology of place and, on the other, by existential threats such as climate change and sealevel rise. This paper argues that we cannot tie the fate of our pan-oceanic identity to, as it happened, increasingly ephemeral things like 'place’. The piece, therefore, seeks to shift the semiotic register beyond the current discursive inscriptions associated with ‘an ideology of place’ (and its attendant politics of identity) towards a more honest reassessment of contemporary ‘regimes of truth’ in Oceania – regimes that are firmly premised on the discursive practices as well as ideological articulations of Oceanic histories. The main aim of this essay is to invite Indigenous scholars to start thinking about, and discussing the way forward.
Open Access
The status of Indigenous knowledge, environmental issues and climate change in science education: Talanoa from Ha‘apai (Tonga) and Port Vila (Vanuatu) secondary schools
(Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, 2023) Puloka Luey, Emma; Manning, Richard; Ratuva, Steven
This article reviews the doctoral research of Emma Puloka Luey, in order to consider the significance of talanoa (discussions) she conducted with Ha‘apai (Tonga) and Port Vila (Vanuatu) secondary school teachers of science, and their Year 10 students. This research was timely, given that both (case study) communities had recently experienced Category 5 Tropical Cyclones and remain vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters, such as the (2022) explosion of the sub marine volcano, Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai. First, this article summarises the research problem, objectives, methodology, and the community contexts central to Puloka Luey’s study. Second, it discusses the ongoing relevance of the following four themes that arise from data collected. These are: (i) Connectedness to place; (ii) Indigenous languages as gateways to learning science; (iii) Marginalisation of Traditional Ecological Knowledge; and (iv) Contextualisation of science education via dialogue. Finally, we call for more research of this nature, and for future science education curricula guidelines to become more localised, and inclusive of the Traditional Ecological Knowledge systems of Indigenous communities.
Open Access
The injustice of it all. Book Review: "PRISONER 302: A Fijian prime minister’s story of his life; of military rebellion, national oppression, and a handful of miracles" by Laisenia Qarase.
(Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, 2024) Naidu, Vijay
A review of Laisenia Qarase’s PRISONER 302: A Fijian Prime Minister’s story of his life; of military rebellion, national oppression, and a handful of Miracles 2023.
Open Access
A culturally responsive research move to enable Pacific voices to be heard: A research note
(Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, 2024) Edwards, Frances
Researchers in the field of education have increasingly come to value the views and experiences of students, and hearing from the students themselves. This research note explores the challenges a researcher sought to gather student voice from Cook Islands tertiary students. The combination of research design and cultural mores meant Cook Islands participants faced barriers and could not comfortably talk about improvements they would like to see in tertiary assessment practice. On exploration, an adjustment to the research design was made that was culturally accepted and enabled participants to speak their minds openly. The findings are discussed, and recommendations are proposed that may assist future researchers working within cultural worlds in ways that allow the participants to speak openly, enabling their voices to be heard.
Open Access
A Nazi in French Oceania: Retracing Louis Burkard from Australia to New Caledonia
(Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, 2024) Ireland, Benjamin Hiramatsu
Louis Burkard, a Nazi agent residing in New Caledonia between 1936 and 1939, facilitated Germany’s procurement of critical wartime nickel resources. Lauded by Hitler and slated to become the Honorary German Consul in Nouméa, New Caledonia, Burkard would represent Krupp Steel Industries in this overseas French collectivity before his arrest, deportation, and subsequent internment in Australia in 1939. This article uncovers Burkard’s presence in New Caledonia and Australia as a Krupp engineer while demonstrating how Burkard, labelled as one of the Commonwealth’s most dangerous men, helped advance the propagation of Nazism in Australia. Burkard’s presence in New Caledonia not only played a role in the Third Reich’s military rearmament campaign, but also evinced his desire to see the French territory as an overseas space where Nazi Germany’s racial purification theories could be further assessed.
Open Access
Moving towards sustainable livestock development in the Pacific Island countries
(Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, 2024) Magiri, Royford; Mocevakaca, Wati; Okello, Walter; Fisher, Andrew D.
Agriculture is a vital industry for Pacific Islanders' livelihoods, income, and food security. For example, agriculture contributes between 7% to 10.4% of GDP among the Pacific Island States and territories (PICTs). As an example, in Fiji, agriculture supports the livelihoods of 27% of the people and is the primary source of employment for more than 83% of the country's rural population. Unfortunately, agricultural production has decreased in Fiji in the past decade. Yet, the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 of " Zero Hunger" indicates that promoting sustainable agriculture systems is critical for any country in achieving food security and improved nutrition. To meet future demand and lessen reliance on imports of livestock products, the livestock sector in the Pacific islands needs to develop at a faster rate than the present 4% per year. For long-term growth, government assistance and private investment are critical. Small livestock, such as chickens, sheep, and goats, can be incorporated into the farming system to provide additional revenue and food security in the face of changing climatic conditions. Livestock sector development in the Pacific Island countries can support a stable, secure, and prosperous Pacific region by addressing regional development and economic growth challenges. Such investments in the livestock sector can increase global and regional trade, raise finance for other business activities, deepen labour markets that are currently shrinking and create better-quality employment opportunities.
Open Access
Building resilience in a climate crisis: Best practices for mangrove restoration along the Coral Coast, Fiji
(Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, 2024) Devi, Jasma; Holland, Elisabeth
A critical review of existing mangrove restoration practices was conducted to establish mangrove restoration best practices. The primary focus of this study was on four villages along Fiji’s Coral Coast on Viti Levu, namely Yadua, Korotogo, Votua, and Tagaqe. These sites have the highest concentration of mangrove restoration projects in Fiji. This study utilised a ~3 yr mangrove seedling survival index to indicate mangrove restoration success. The study conducted 128 household surveys and seven interviews. The interviews were conducted with stakeholders involved in implementing mangrove conservation and restoration projects: village households, nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), organisations in the private sector, and the Department of Environment. Onsite observations of the substrate type, exposure to waves, slope of the restoration site, and input of fresh water to the restoration sites were also assessed to identify biophysical factors that either helped or hindered the establishment of mangrove seedlings at the four sites. Yadua and Korotogo villages achieved an ~80% seedling survival rate, while Tagaqe and Votua had more modest success at ~20% survival. The study identifies four factors: consistent influx of freshwater, reduced exposure to high wave energy, presence of artificial breakwaters, and input of nutrient enhancers, all corresponded with increased mangrove seedling survival.
Open Access
Talking about climate change: Veitalanoa in Fijian climate change research
(Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, 2024) Cagivinaka, Vilive; Reynolds, Martyn; Baleisomi, Sereima; Vatuloka, Sera; Sanga, Kabini
Research is currently being conducted in Fiji into climate change resilience and adaption. Among the research strands is work focussed on village and community levels that values customary local knowledge and experience. At the same time, there is a growing corpus of more general research literature from Oceania that illustrates the revelatory potential of Indigenous oralities, customary dialogic practices leveraged for research contexts. Weaving these threads together, this article is a discussion of the potential of veitalanoa, an Indigenous Fijian orality, to contribute to climate change research. Our investigation of the potential of veitalanoa includes the Indigenous Fijian references of vanua, veiwekani, solesolevaki and yalomatua. The inquiry is framed by the Oceania Oralities Framework (Sanga and Reynolds, in press), a tool that points to the embracing nature of oralities-driven research that enables data to be holistically mapped on to a range of universal domains, contextually shaping these in the process. The results suggest that locally focussed research would do well to explore the promise of veitalanoa more deeply than previously when seeking to understand local Fijian responses and adaptions to the global issue of climate change. Looking wider, the Fijian example suggests the potential of Oceania oralities in nuanced climate change research in other contexts.
Open Access
Reimagining innovation through Indigenous Agricultural Knowledge (IAK): Indigenous innovations and climate crisis resilience in the Pacific
(Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, 2024) Vunibola, Suliasi; Leweniqila, Ilisoni; Raisele, Kolaia
This paper examines Indigenous innovation using self-determination for climate resilience within Indigenous communities in the Pacific. Given the Pacific context, communities are vulnerable to the climate crisis, but have adopted climate-resilient strategies and practices. A Pacific research methodological framing and qualitative ethnographic-case study approach was used for the study, which included discussion of some Indigenous enterprises and communitydriven development projects in Fiji. Talanoa method was used to collect data. Three themes unfolded from the three case studies in Fiji: the adoption of Indigenous Agricultural Knowledge as part of their operating model, practical contributions by the enterprises and community-driven projects in response to climate-induced disasters and aiding collective community resilience and well-being through their operations. Indigenous peoples are intimately and holistically connected to their vanua (resources, people and culture) reflected by their environment-related contributions and practices. The paper contributes toward understanding Indigenous innovation centred on indigenous peoples' socio-cultural and spiritual value systems. These are reflected in business operations and community-driven development projects that consider ecological limits and build collective resilience to the climate crisis.
Open Access
Introduction
(Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, 2024) Davis, Michael
This issue of Pacific Dynamics shows the extraordinary inter-disciplinary range of its contributions. While reflecting this diversity, this issue also illustrates the common ground that is often shared by papers. For example, as in most issues of this journal, there is a strong theme that explores methodological and theoretical aspects. In many papers, the topic of discussion itself is underpinned by analysis informed by the application of methodological and theoretical approaches. As well as this, Pacific Dynamics often also includes contributions that have a specific focus on theory and method per se. Indeed, one of the distinctive features of Pacific Dynamics is the emphasis given to discussions on Pacific epistemologies, philosophies, and ontologies.
Open Access
An evaluation of a generic course at a university in the Pacific Islands
(Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, 2023) Rafiq, Loriza; Dorovolomo, Jeremy
This study aims to evaluate a generic course at the University of the South Pacific (USP) in order to gather perceived strengths and gaps that may need addressing. A qualitative study, the evaluation was conducted via two methods. The first was through the interviews with four teaching staff of the course. The second involved an email feedback from six academics from different departments of the university. The findings of this study indicate that the course is generally perceived to be achieving its objectives, strong in promoting Pacific consciousness and has very clear and attainable learning outcomes and expectations. Moreover, the use of Pacific terms such as the vaka (canoe) and talanoa (conversation), were seen as strengths of the course. The course being delivered via a variety of mediums by an active, passionate and committed group of staff was viewed as a strength. In terms of areas that may need improvement, there were suggestions that the content and its scope, course description, and the marking rubrics could be re-examined. There was also a suggestion that there needs to be a pool of assignment tasks so that repetition semester after semester does not occur, and to reduce the level of plagiarism. In addition, there is a suggestion to have regular meetings among members of the teaching team, to listen to each other. These suggestions have implications for curriculum decisions regarding the course and its possible revision regarding content and focus, its delivery and assessment.