Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies

Call for Papers "Special Issue on West Papua"

The editorial board of Pacific Dynamics invites papers for a special issue on the decolonisation of West Papua.

The question of decolonisation of West Papua has been confined to the post-World War II’s legal status of the region rather than examining the layers of power relations that have constructed and reproduced West Papua as an abject. This special issue aims to delve into the multifaceted aspects of domination that the outside world has constructed of West Papua through colonisation, developmentalism, extractivism, and militarism, examining epistemological, anthropological, legal, historical, political, cultural, and socio-economic perspectives. By gathering contributions from a diverse range of scholars, activists, journalists, artists, and practitioners, this issue seeks to foster a comprehensive understanding and stimulate meaningful dialogue around the ongoing challenges and aspirations of the West Papuan people.

The special issue will generally be organized around the following key themes but may include other related/relevant topics:

Historical Trajectories: Tracing the historical roots for self-determination.

Political Struggles: Examining the changing political landscape, including governance, militarism, resistance movements, and international diplomacy.

Anthropological trajectories: Investigating the construction of West Papuan layered identity as shaped by the Western colonial powers, Indonesian rule, power relations among Papuan ethnic groups, and international capital.

Human Rights: Examining the role of national and international human rights frameworks to address the questions of justice and reconciliation.

Environmental Challenges: Analysing the environmental impacts of resource extraction and the intersection with indigenous rights and indigenous cosmology.

Future Prospects: Considering potential pathways for achieving self-determination and sustainable development.

Submissions may include original research articles, case studies, policy analyses, artwork, and personal narratives. We particularly encourage submissions that incorporate diverse methodologies and perspectives, and those that engage directly with West Papuan voices.

Call for Papers – Pacific Dynamics Pacific Dynamics is an online open access journal published by the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

We would like to invite you to join us in our Talanoa on Pacific Peoples living with disability / Tangata Sa"ilimalo. Vaka Tautua UC Pacific Development Team University of Canterbury

New publication from our PhD Candidate Esala Vakamacawai.

Tagata Sa'ilimalo Pacific Peoples Living with Disability

This booklet is intended for people living with disability and their Vuvale (Family), Pacific peoples service providers, academics, tertiary students and the community.

The stories in this booklet were derived from Pacific peoples lived experiences of disability. During fortnightly meetings with the Tagata Sa'ilimalo group at Vaka Tautua in Christchurch, we were deeply moved by our people's challenge, and we hope that these stories can inspire others with disabilities to speak up and ask for help. If you are living with a disability and feeling like you are alone and have reached the end of the road, remember that there is someone out there who is also fighting to make it through the day, just like you.

The booklet will serve as a reference guide for Pacific service providers who provide fundamental assistance for Pacific families and their Vuvale. The booklet will provide lived experience perspectives for academics and the research community, providing novel insights into disability, support, and Pacific disability framework.

Full item page, please visit https://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/items/bcf3ea35-f8dd-4699-8c22-4fd6f6630986

University of Canterbury Vaka Tautua

Tagata Sa'ilimalo Pacific Peoples Living with Disability This booklet is intended for people living with disability and their Vuvale (Family), Pacific peoples service providers, academics, tertiary students and the community. The stories in this booklet were derived from Pacific peoples lived experiences of disability. During fortnightly meetings with the...

POCCA brought together the largest number of Pacific scholars ever to work together collaboratively on a single project. The project helped to transform and enrich the Pacific research culture, regional networking and collaboration in significant ways. Those involved were from all universities in New Zealand (University of Canterbury, University of Otago, Lincoln University, Victoria University of Wellington, Massey University, University of Auckland and Auckland University of Technology) as well as crown research entities such as the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd (NIWA) and Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS); universities from the Pacific region (The University of the South Pacific, National University of Samoa, Fiji National University, Solomon Island National University, University of Papua New Guinea and University of Hawaii); as well as scholars from Australian universities (University of Melbourne, University of Queensland, Grifith University and University of Tasmania).

Introducing the Pacific Ocean Climate Change Assessment (POCCA) Project – Pacific Dynamics Pacific Dynamics is an online open access journal published by the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Good News

Our Pacific Ocean and Climate Crisis Assessment (POCCA) report (Volume 1) can access now. Please visit here https://pacificdynamics.nz/volume-1/

More information about Pacific Ocean and Climate Crisis Assessment https://pacificdynamics.nz/pocca-report/

VOICES OF THE PACIFIC – Pacific Dynamics Pacific Dynamics is an online open access journal published by the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies with the support of the UC Arts Digital Lab, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Hear insights from leading Pacific experts on the latest developments in Pacific Islands Countries and Territories, and its implications next Wednesday the 5th of March at 3:30pm NZT.

The webinar is the first of a webinar series organised by the Pacific Regional Security Hub, University of Canterbury.

Details are in the flyer. You can register here: https://events.humanitix.com/tides-of-change-disturbing-pacific-politics

So near yet so far away: The colonisation and decolonisation on of New Zealand and New Caledonia
Authors

Small, David

Despite their geographic proximity, New Zealand and New Caledonia experienced from the outset quite different forms of colonialism at the hands of Britain and France. However, the history of the two countries also reveals interesting parallels. This article explores some of these similarities and differences and discusses their implications for decolonisation struggles led by the indigenous Kanak and Māori peoples. The study points to differences in how sovereignty was acquired, identifies similarities in the colonial strategies of initial military conquest and land dispossession, and highlights contrasts between the British assimilationist approach in New Zealand and France’s segregationist policies in New Caledonia. The article traces the evolution of colonial relations noting that in both countries, the moderate political aspirations of the colonised peoples during the post-war period were jettisoned by a new generation of radical activists starting in the late 1960s. By the mid-1980s, these movements for decolonisation had gained sufficient support to be able to force concessions from the governments of New Zealand and France. It also notes that in 2023, both countries were confronted by attempts by those in power to call into question fundamental aspects of decolonisation which had been widely believed to have been settled for decades, including the issue of whether ongoing dimensions of colonisation should be addressed. The article argues that, although colonisation in New Zealand and New Caledonia took different forms, the current backlash against efforts for decolonisation is once again presenting similar challenges separately yet simultaneously in both countries.

Volume 8, Special Issue December 2024 – Pacific Dynamics Pacific Dynamics is an online open access journal published by the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies with the support of the UC Arts Digital Lab, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

The Global Pacific
Our Pacific Studies Courses Semester 1 (2025)
University of Canterbury

The Contemporary and Transnational Pacific (PACS 211)

This course explores the contemporary Pacific with a special focus on the dynamic and complex interplay of its cultures, identities, and economies. Students will use the lens of transnationalism, to examine the historical and contemporary movement of people, ideas, and resources across the Pacific Ocean, and reflect on how these flows have shaped societies locally, regionally, and globally.

The video will premiere on February 17, 2025 at 4:00 PM

The Contemporary and Transnational Pacific (Pacific Studies Course 2025) This course explores the contemporary Pacific with a special focus on the dynamic and complex interplay of its cultures, identities, and economies. Students ...

Book Review: Remembering Epeli Hau’ofa: His Life and Legacy
Authors: Nicole, Robert

Please visit our Pacific Dynamics website:

Pacific Dynamics – Pacific Dynamics is an online open access journal published by the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies with the support of the UC Arts Digital Lab, University of Canterbury, New Zealand Pacific Dynamics is an online open access journal published by the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies with the support of the UC Arts Digital Lab, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

The Contemporary and Transnational Pacific
Our Pacific Studies Courses Semester 1 (2025)
Tui Emma Gillies

Pacific Dynamics Vol 8 Issue 2 December 2024 (https://pacificdynamics.nz)

The Geopolitics of Deep Sea Ports in the Pacific
Authors: Naidu, Vijay; Lutu, Vasemaca and 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).

Download PDF : https://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/items/26554114-d3c5-4a57-8a07-fea2be79a753

The Geopolitics of Deep Sea Ports in the Pacific 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 port...

The Pacific Regional Security Hub (PRSH) provides the space for more innovative and interdisciplinary Pacific agency and voices in regional human security, geopolitics, regional conflict, peace building, climate crisis and other security-related aspects. The Hub will connect scholars, policy makers, leaders and local communities in the region to engage in conversations, research and strategic thinking to address ongoing political, social, cultural, environmental and economic security issues.

The PRSH is located within the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand.

UUniversity of CanterburyUUC Pacific Development TeamPProtect Our Pacific

pacific-regional-security-hub | University of Canterbury The Pacific Regional Security Hub (PRSH) is located in the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, University of Canterbury.

(De)Constructing Minorites and Freedoms in Oceania
Pacific Dynamics Volume 8, Special Issue December 2024

Full articles, please visit https://pacificdynamics.nz/special-issues/