Pacific and Pasifika Theses

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The theses listed in this collection were all completed at Massey University in a range of different departments and institutes. They have been included in this collection if the topic is strongly related to Pasifika/the Pacific.

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1998 - 199912000 - 20081

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Agricultural development

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    Intervention, opportunity and response : a clash of paradigms in smallholder cattle projects in Samoa : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1998) Maiava, Susan Louise; Maiava, Susan Louise
    This thesis examines the notion of development as a process of interaction and negotiation between two cultures: the Western development project subculture and, in this case, Samoan culture. It analyses the origins, issues and implications of misunderstandings and misinterpretations that result from this process. Specifically this thesis investigates the validity of expressed Western perceptions and interpretations of Samoan cattle-farming behaviours that are characterised as irrational in project literature. This is done by examining the role and incorporation of cattle into Samoan culture, society and livelihoods to determine if there are rational explanations, based in Samoan culture and cultural values, for the ways Samoan farmers utilise cattle, particularly in traditional exchange occasions ifa'alavelave). In doing this, efforts are made to provide a perspective from the Samoan viewpoint. Conventional Western interpretations are found to be grossly misinformed. The origins of misinterpretations between the two cultural perspectives (Western/Samoan) and implications for approaches to development projects and development theory are drawn out. Cultural misinterpretations in projects are seen as consistent with, and a function of, the role ascribed to culture in modernisation and liberal modernisation theory. On one hand cultural interaction resulted in misinterpretation. On the other hand, it resulted in endogenous development. This thesis finds that cattle have been actively incorporated into Samoan traditional and modem activities and livelihoods by Samoans according to their own culturally determined priorities and criteria. This thesis argues that this may be considered successful development and therefore that the protestations that can be traced to the practice of modernisation theory are an irrelevent non-issue. The endogenous development that did occur may be seen as a process of cultural interaction and negotiation which can be usefully informed by populism. The tenets that would underpin a new theory of development are suggested as rooted in basic human psychological needs which motivate development activity. This can be combined with the concepts of moral economy and active response to other cultures found in populism and concepts of diversity from post-modernism to form the basis of a new theory of development.
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    Agricultural export growth and economic development for Tonga : the quest for efficiency : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Public Policy at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2008) Kautoke-Holani, Alisi Wenonalita
    Neo-liberalism has become the dominant approach to economic development since the 1980s. Based on the economic principle of “efficiency”, the Washington Consensus and its supporters have avidly promoted the neoliberal orthodoxy as the ideal blueprint for the economic development of all countries in every region. However, as this thesis has discovered, the efficiency of public policy is weighed not by its conformity to an ideology but on how effective it responds to the economic and social problems of the population in question. In recent years Tonga has endured severe economic shocks which have pushed its low growth economy to the brink of economic crisis. In response to this crisis, the Government has chosen greater economic liberalisation and private sector – led growth to lead the economy to recovery. The Washington Consensus and its international supporters claim that this is the best policy response for Tonga due to the belief that greater liberalisation leads to greater efficiency. This thesis however believes that at the current dire state of the economy, it is not enough for Tongan public policy to just conform to international views on efficient economic development but to ensure that its economic development policies address the economic and social needs of the general Tongan population. With this in mind, this thesis investigated the role of agriculture in economic development. It identified that for an agriculture-based country such as Tonga, at low levels of growth, agricultural development is fundamental to long term economic growth. This research also revealed that agricultural growth is maximised through trade hence suggesting increased focus on agricultural export development. Based on these findings, this research project set out to verify the efficiency of Government agricultural policies by identifying the views of agricultural exporters and comparing these with Government approaches to agricultural export development in Tonga.