Seminar Recap: Deep-Sea Mining, Justice and Ocean Futures in the Pacific

TPVM was privileged to host a seminar facilitated by our dear friend and University of Canterbury PhD candidate, Viliame Kasanawaqa (Vili).

Vili’s experience in research, policy, and development practice has taken him across Te Moana Nui a Kiva, where he now situates his PhD research. His research explores Pacific ocean governance, environmental justice, Indigenous knowledge systems, and deep-sea mining governance. As part of this work, Vili has spent the past two weeks in Rarotonga conducting fieldwork in the Cook Islands, meeting with key stakeholders and informants to better understand the perspectives, experiences, and concerns surrounding deep-sea mining.

Viliame Kasanawaqa (left) and TPVM Director, Emma Powell (right)

On Tuesday, 18 August, Vili delivered his seminar, “Deep-Sea Mining, Justice, and Ocean Futures in the Pacific: Indigenous Perspectives on Governance and Social Impact.”

The seminar provided a valuable opportunity to hear about Vili’s extensive research into deep-sea mining, with a particular focus on the governance dimensions of deep-sea mining here in the Pacific. His presentation explored the navigation of ocean futures and the competing visions held by local communities, civil society actors, governments, and regional institutions.

The seminar also offered an opportunity to learn about some of Vili’s preliminary findings, as well as an introduction to the Deep-Sea Mining Social Impact Assessment Toolkit that he is developing. This resource aims to support more inclusive, culturally grounded, and socially responsive decision-making, an important contribution as our nations and region consider the future of our ocean.

The seminar brought together over 20 community members from a range of disciplines and backgrounds. It provided an opportunity for our community to contribute to Vili’s research, engage critically with the issues presented, ask questions, and make connections with Vili and his work.

Overall, the seminar was highly informative and particularly relevant to the Cook Islands. It was encouraging to see research being undertaken that can help our communities and decision-makers engage with these complex issues and make more informed decisions about the future of our moana.

We wish Viliame all the very best for the remainder of his fieldwork and his PhD journey.

Vinaka Vakalevu and Meitaki atupaka, Vili!