The Polynesian Society

26/03/2026

Don't forget!! Closing March 31 Next Week

The Polynesian Society was founded in 1892 to “promote the scholarly study of past and present New Zealand Māori and other Pacific Island peoples and cultures”. To mark the 125th anniversary of the Society, the Council of the Polynesian Society established a research grants fund, named for the ...

16/03/2026

📢 Our December 2025 Issue is Out Now!
Vol. 134, No. 4 of the Journal of the Polynesian Society is now available.

In this issue, our Editor shares an important message outlining the journal’s commitment to Indigenous Data Sovereignty, and a heartfelt tribute to Dame Joan Metge by our President and council members. You’ll also find insightful contributions from Pacific scholars including the distinguished Malama Meleisea, alongside emerging researchers Kerryn Galokale and Anthony Vavia.

This issue also features a compelling piece by Olivia Barnett-Naghshineh exploring Yuki Kihara’s Darwin in Paradise Camp, as well as a review by Mathew Nickless of The Invasion of Waikato by Vincent O'Malley.

🖼 Cover image: Darwin Drag (2025), a video work by Yuki Kihara. Photo by Gui Taccetti. Courtesy of the artist and Milford Galleries.

🔗 Subscribers can access the full issue here:
https://thepolynesiansociety.org/index.php/JPS/issue/view/58

22/02/2026

Have you checked out our September 2025 issue yet?

In this issue we feature:

🌺 He Poroporoaki: A Farewell to M.P.K. Sorrenson (1932–2025)
🌺 George Helm: A True Hawaiian Sounds Out Aloha ‘Āina
🌺 Aspects of Rongorongo Decipherment
🌺 Plus some amazing book reviews

Subscribers can read the full issue here:
https://thepolynesiansociety.org/index.php/JPS/issue/view/57

Cover image: George Helm at a meeting of the Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana (PKO), Maui, January 1977.
Image courtesy of Alexis Higdon.

20/02/2026

📣 Applications Open: Bruce Grandison Biggs Postgraduate Research Grants

The Polynesian Society invites applications for the Bruce Grandison Biggs Postgraduate Research Grants, supporting postgraduate research on Māori and Pacific peoples and cultures.

💰 Grants of $1,000–$2,000 support travel, fieldwork, and conference participation.
🎓 Open to NZ citizens/permanent residents enrolled in postgraduate study at NZ tertiary institutions.
🌺 Research must focus on Māori and Pacific communities.

More info here: https://thepolynesiansociety.org/index.php/JPS/bgbgrants

🗓 Deadline: 31 March
📧 Apply: [email protected]

The Polynesian Society was founded in 1892 to “promote the scholarly study of past and present New Zealand Māori and other Pacific Island peoples and cultures”. To mark the 125th anniversary of the Society, the Council of the Polynesian Society established a research grants fund, named for the ...

11/11/2025

🌺 Congratulations to the 2025 Sir Hugh Kawharu Annual Writing Prize winners! 🌺

At this year’s Medals Ceremony, Editor Dr Marcia Leenen-Young announced the recipients of the Sir Hugh Kawharu Annual Writing Prize, awarded for an outstanding article published in Waka Kuaka: Journal of the Polynesian Society.

🏆 This Year's Winners:
Sally Akevai Nicholas (Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland)
Jesse Koka‘ua (Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka | University of Otago)

📝 Their powerful article — “Linguicide and the Realm of New Zealand” — explores how the Realm’s languages (Cook Islands Māori, Niuean, Tokelauan) have been endangered through colonial structures that invisibilise the Realm itself. The authors call for renewed language revitalisation grounded in community and trans-Indigenous collaboration across Aotearoa and the wider Moana.

💡 Read the open-access article here 👉 https://thepolynesiansociety.org/index.php/JPS/article/view/753/562

29/10/2025

🌊✨ Te Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau – Tokelau Language Week ✨🌊
📅 Celebrate: 26 October – 1 November

This year’s theme is:
“Tokelau, Puaki mai ko tau aganuku mo fanau i te lumanaki – Tokelau, Unleash your culture for future generations.”

To celebrate explore this powerful piece by Tokelau scholar T. Melanie Puka Bean (2025):
📝 “Real talk: Where is the Realm in Indigenous and Pacific Studies?”

Many New Zealanders are unaware of the imperial histories that connect Aotearoa, Tokelau, Niue, and the Cook Islands through the Realm of New Zealand. This article calls for deeper reflection on how these ties continue to shape Pacific relationships, identities, and indigeneities today.

🔗 Read the full article here:
https://www.thepolynesiansociety.org/index.php/JPS/article/view/752

Cover image: Tokelau visitors and returning villagers are the first ashore with their mattresses rolled up in mats. The MV Aoniu is anchored beyond the reef at Nukunono. Photograph by Judith Huntsman, 1967–68. Image by courtesy of the Anthropology Photographic Archive, Waipapa Taumata Rau The University of Auckland.

26/10/2025

Last month we celebrated our 2025 Nayacakalou Medal Lecture ✨

This year’s esteemed recipient, Meleisea Leasiolagi Professor Malama Meleisea, delivered a powerful and thought-provoking lecture exploring the complexities of land tenure, colonial legacy, and customary law in the Pacific.

We extend our warmest congratulations and gratitude to Professor Meleisea for his insightful contributions and to everyone who joined us in honouring this important Pacific scholarly tradition. 🌺

Some photos below of the lecture.

23/10/2025

🌺 Fakatapunu, Ofania, mo e Fakaaoga e Vagahau Niue!
Elevate, Cherish, and Use Vagahau Niue! 🌺

This , celebrate Niue knowledge and stories carried across generations — including those told through the throwing stones of Niue (known as war hand-stones, fighting stones, or battle stones). Once used in times of conflict, these carefully smoothed and polished stones hold deep cultural and historical significance.

🪨 Read more in “Unexpected Trajectories: A History of Niuean Throwing Stones” by Barbara Isaac & Gwyneira Isaac (2011)
👉 https://www.jstor.org/stable/41705894?searchText=niue&seq=1

📢 Please note: Our open-access archives (issues from 1892–2011) are temporarily unavailable. If you're unable to access this article via a JSTOR subscription, feel free to contact us at [email protected]

22/10/2025

🌺 Fakatapunu, Ofania, mo e Fakaaoga e Vagahau Niue!
Elevate, Cherish & Use Vagahau Niue! 🌺

This (19–25 Oct), explore Niue’s story of self-government & partnership with NZ.

Read Niue scholar Rennie Jonathan Unimotu Atfield-Douglas’ latest article:
📰 Why did Niue choose self-government in free association with NZ?
🔗 https://thepolynesiansociety.org/index.php/JPS/article/view/755

21/10/2025

🌺 Fakatapunu, Ofania, mo e Fakaaoga e Vagahau Niue!
Elevate, Cherish, and Use Vagahau Niue! 🌺

This week (19–25 October 2025), we celebrate Niue Language Week, a time to uplift and honour Vagahau Niue and the deep knowledge, values, and connections it carries.

💫 Check out this powerful new article by a collective of Niuean scholars:

"Celebrating lotomatala Niue knowledge in community and researcher collaborations" (2025)
by Jess Pasisi, Lisimoni Birtha Togahai, Ioane Aleke Fa‘avae, Inangaro Vakaafi, Rennie Jonathan Unimotu Atfield-Douglas, and Cora-Allan Lafaiki Twiss.

Niue knowledge is powerful, valuable, and vast and more tau tagata Niue are making space in academia, placing Niue at the centre of their research. This article invites us to reflect on how Niue knowledge is practiced, perceived, and celebrated across both community and scholarly spaces.

📖 Read the full article here:
🔗 https://thepolynesiansociety.org/index.php/JPS/article/view/754

02/10/2025

🌺 Vaiaso o te 'Gana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week 🌺
📅 28 September – 4 October 2025
🗣️ Theme: “Faipati mo te mautinoa kae amanaia tou fakavae – Speak confidently and respect your foundation”

As we celebrate Tuvalu Language Week, check out this article from our archives. One incredible example of Tuvaluan ingenuity comes from Nui Island — home to a unique style of sailing canoe.

⛵️ In 1976, Peter McQuarrie documented these Nui sailing canoes, which feature a rare indirect outrigger attachment.

📚 Read more about this piece of Tuvalu’s maritime heritage:

🔗 NUI ISLAND SAILING CANOES: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20705204?searchText=tuvalu&seq=1

📢 Please note: Our open-access archives (issues from 1892–2011) are temporarily unavailable. If you're unable to access this article via a JSTOR subscription, feel free to contact us at [email protected]