Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland launched a digital repository of Pacific research, Measina o le Pasefika | Treasures of the Pacific, at the Fa'anana Efeso Collins Space in its General Library on 8 October.
Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific Professor Fonoia Jemaima Tiatia-Siau officially launched the platform, which brings Pacific research created at the university together in a searchable online collection for students, academics, communities and future generations.
Professor Tiatia-Siau named the repository. She said it is more than a digital archive, describing it as a living vessel of Pacific scholarship that connects past, present and future generations while keeping Pacific voices, identities and ways of knowing preserved and accessible.
The repository was developed through a partnership between Fofonga for Pacific Research Excellence and Te Kahu Tauira, Student Scholarly Services. The university said it responds to a growing need for Pacific research to be visible and accessible beyond academic circles.
Fofonga director Dr Charmaine 'Ilaiu Talei opened the launch and said Pacific knowledge must reach the communities it is meant to serve.
"Research should not remain confined to the ivory tower. Measina o le Pasefika is about ensuring Pacific knowledge reaches those who need it the most, namely our communities we serve, the government policymakers, our funders, and our potential collaborators," 'Ilaiu Talei said.
She credited the partnership between Fofonga and Rachel Chidlow and Dr Jo Simons of Te Kahu Tauira with bringing the repository into being, and thanked researchers for entrusting their work to it. The repository reflects the power of partnership and a collective commitment to making Pacific knowledge accessible to all, she said.
'Ilaiu Talei also recognised Fofonga research assistants Arielle Carke and Vaiola Tauti, who worked with researchers across the university and invited them to add their scholarship to the platform.
The repository features original artwork by Tongan artist Benjamin Work, based on the concept of measina and the kupesi Humu, or triggerfish. The university said the artwork reflects the relationship between seascape and skyscape, and stands for navigation, connection and the passing of knowledge between generations.
The university said the platform is expected to strengthen the visibility and reach of Pacific research by giving it a permanent home, so that it remains available to inform research, policy, teaching and community development.