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    Review of the potential for harmonisation of sustainable food system indicators, and the assessment of key aspects of nutrition and health in two atoll Islands of Kiribati, a West Pacific Island State : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2019) Eme, Paul Eze
    Sustainable diets, which links nutrition and food systems, cuts across all seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), with particular relevance to SDG 2. Despite much recent attention being given to sustainable diets and food systems, methodologies for assessing sustainable diets are complex and may not be generally applicable. This thesis describes a series of studies, which aimed to review the methodologies for assessing sustainable diets and potential for development of a harmonized indicators; assess the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) on nutrition of the households in South Tarawa and Butaritari Islands; conduct dietary assessments amongst the household members using a 24-h diet recall and weighed food records methodology in the Islands; and carry out anthropometric and body adiposity measurements of the householders and secondary school students. A total 468 households were randomly selected in South Tarawa (n=161) and Butaritari (n=307) for the 24-h dietary recall and a sub-sample of 28 households participated in the weighed food record. Another 320 subjects were recruited for the KAP study on nutrition; and 483 adults and 194 adolescents were selected for the anthropometric and body adiposity study respectively. Food consumption patterns of the households in the islands reflected high consumption of non-traditional diets and refined foods, which manifested in inadequate micronutrient intake estimates and low dietary diversity The KAP study showed the majority of respondents had good knowledge and attitudes towards good nutrition, however, these were not adequately reflected in their nutritional practices. Based on measures of bioelectric impedance, two-thirds of the subjects (68.4%) had a very high body fat (BF) %, 22.2% had high BF%, 8.8% had normal BF% and 0.6% had low BF%. Based on body mass index (BMI), about three-quarters of the subjects (73.2%) were obese and 22.5% were overweight. Obesity prevalence among the adolescents was low based on BMI and BF% criteria. In conclusion, despite the investments on nutrition programmes in Kiribati, no change was noticed from the results of 1985 Kiribati National Nutrition Survey and the findings of this study. Policies and interventions to sustainably improve diets in Kiribati, and thus reduce diet-related morbidity and mortality, need to address elements of sustainable diets.
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    Climate change and the intersection with development and security : as evidenced by global, regional and local responses in Kiribati : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2010) Egan, Andrea
    This thesis will analyse the evolution and the impact of global, regional and local responses to climate change in Pacific Small Island Developing States. This examination will take place through the lens of the United Nations and Pacific regional powers' involvement in Kiribati and within the greater context of the security-development nexus. There are arguably three major actors in the policy realm – intergovernmental organizations /non-governmental organizations, regional powers and local governments. By analysing the United Nations (as the intergovernmental organization), New Zealand (as one of the regional powers) and Kiribati (as the local government of the affected country) we can gain a better understanding of how these three entities engage in dialogue and facilitate change on the ground. Kiribati is an exemplar for the security-development interrelationship in the face of climate change. This status is manifest by virtue of the Kiribati high level of responsiveness to international initiatives, direct overtures to regional powers (in regards to increased aid for adaptation, mitigation and relocation measures), and implementation of numerous national policies related to issues arising from climate change. This thesis details the current policy landscape with respect to climate change and Pacific Small Island Developing States and will examine the evolution of international, regional and national policy responses in the climate change context. The objective is to provide an empirical basis for understanding policy responses with respect to climate change in Pacific Small Island Developing States. In service of this objective, this thesis will analyse existing policy, proposed policy and hypothetical/academic policy using discourse analysis and document content analysis. An understanding of the constitution and evolution of these discursive categories (as evidenced by thematic debate, policy discourse, and media coverage) are utilised in an attempt to provide insight on the complexities of climate change governance and how actors can be best equipped to respond.
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    Rebuilding lives : intimate partner violence and Kiribati mothers in New Zealand : a cooperative inquiry : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philsophy in Social Work at Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2015) Teatao, Lydia Ietaake
    This study explores strategies to rebuild lives as a result of intimate partner violence experienced by Kiribati migrant mothers in New Zealand through cooperative inquiry. Cooperative inquiry is a modality of participatory action research (PAR) based on people examining their own experience and action with those who share the same life experiences (Heron, 1996). It is also concerned with re-visualizing understanding of the world as well as transforming practice within it. As a result of working through an agreed set of actions, this process has empowered personal strength and courage for all those who took part, including myself. The method of cooperative inquiry is to be both a researcher and a participant and it does research with people but not on people. It is not about confirming or validating previous theories or hypotheses. It is about being deeply engaged with the human situation and inquiry initiated on a common interest shared by the group of participants. All participants, including the researcher, were Kiribati migrant mothers who have been violence free for at least two years. We all worked together as co-participants in this research project. The inquiry was underpinned by the Pacific Framework Talanoa with the Kiribati cultural context, aided by Te Itera model designed by the author. Key results are significant as they venture to restore and strengthen intimate partner relationships for Kiribati families residing in New Zealand. It contributes knowledge to social agency interventions regarding Kiribati families and their children and provides insights to future immigrants to New Zealand. Research participants also suggest that through being involved in a genuine research, they developed strength and courage commitment within their own extended families, communities and social connections in increasing awareness and education to alleviate intimate partner violence specifically targeting young families.
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    Foreign aid and economic growth of the South Pacific microstates : selected case studies of the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Samoa and the Solomon Islands (1970-1995) : a research thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Applied Economics at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1999) Viviani, Ron
    The purpose of foreign aid has traditionally been to assist developing countries to progress through the transition period from economic stagnation to self-sustaining economic growth. For most island economies foreign aid is a key factor in their economic growth and development. It provides a source for foreign exchange, fills the investment-savings gap and meets the shortfall in resource needs. This study presents an empirical analysis of the relationship between foreign aid and economic growth for the South Pacific Microstates (SPMs) of the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, and the Solomon Islands. A neoclassical production function is employed to evaluate the aid-growth nexus. The Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) method to cointergration regression is applied to time series data for the period 1970 to 1995 for each of the selected case studies. The various components of foreign aid such as bilateral, multilateral, grant, loan, and technical co-operation aid are utilised to evaluate the disaggregated effects of foreign aid on economic growth. Other determinants of growth such as investment, domestic savings, government consumption and exports are also included in this analysis. Empirical evidence indicates that foreign aid and its various components i.e. bilateral, multilateral, loan, grant, and technical co-operation aid, has not contributed positively or significantly to the Cook Islands and Kiribati's economic growth. The poor performance of government authorities in these South Pacific Microstates is the best explanation for such an outcome. The results for the larger SPMs of Samoa and the Solomon Islands show positive aid-growth relationships. As such, bilateral, grant, and loan aid contributes to economic growth for Samoa. In the case of the Solomon Islands the results are more interesting with various components of foreign aid having a stronger influence on economic growth than the aggregated form of foreign aid. That is, the impact of bilateral, grant, and technical co-operation aid on economic growth is positive and significant in the long-run. As for other determinants of economic growth it is apparent that exports is the only factor that significantly contributes to the economic performance of all these SPMs. Government consumption and the labour force has been productive for Samoa, however, the Cook Islands, Kiribati and the Solomon Islands display negative or insignificant results for these variables. Investment provides strong support for the economic growth of both Samoa and the Solomon Islands, however, in the case of the later it is a short term impact. Domestic savings in these two SPMs are well below investment levels and do not contribute to their country's growth performance. Overall, it is seen that domestic resources (i.e. exports) have a stronger influence on the economic performance of the Cook Islands and Kiribati compared to foreign resources (i.e foreign aid). However, with limited growth of the domestic resources in these SPMs it is difficult to maintain sustained economic growth while relying on exports only. The challenge for the Cook Islands and Kiribati is to improve the productiveness of foreign resources and reduce large and inefficient government sectors. As for Samoa and the Solomon Islands the performance of domestic resources contributes more to the economies of these countries than foreign resources. Moreover, foreign resources also contribute to economic growth. For Samoa and the Solomon Islands to benefit and sustain economic growth and development, it is important to implement policies that encourage private sector development and also have a stable economic environment.
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    Customer satisfaction with air service delivery within Kiribati : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Aviation at Massey University, Turitea campus, Palmerston North
    (Massey University, 2012) Teikake, Aako
    Delivering high quality service to passengers is important so that airlines can survive and strengthen their competitiveness. Service quality conditions influence an airline’s competitive advantage, and with it come market share, and ultimately profitability (Morash & Ozment, 1994). Since, service quality is an important factor in customer satisfaction; this study is basically conducted in Kiribati so that the level of satisfaction can be described allowing an airline and airport management to fully recognize the deficiencies of their service quality. This thesis assessed customer satisfaction with air service delivery within Kiribati, including interisland comparisons. The main research objective of the study was to describe the level of customer satisfaction with the service delivery of both the domestic airline and local airports. The research method consisted of a survey regarding satisfaction with both airline and airport services. A structured questionnaire was developed using the SKYTRAX questionnaire as benchmark. The questionnaire was personally administered to the target population of domestic air travellers within Kiribati. A stratified sampling procedure was used for this research. Each stratum represents different levels of air service availability within the Gilbert group because of geographical distance from the capital. An island within each stratum was selected as being most representative of such stratum. A total of 200 questionnaire were distributed, 50 questionnaire per stratum, of which were returned. Therefore, the final research sample consisted of 177 participants. Results show that, irrespective of islands, customer satisfaction is poor. This indicates that air service quality does not match the expectations of customers. With respect to islands, the study also found that passengers are not satisfied with air service delivery on their respective islands, including both the domestic airline and the local airport. This study also concludes that satisfaction level is significantly different between islands, age groups and gender. Although there are service dimensions which were reported as satisfactory by customers, satisfaction levels were, overall, poor. In conclusion, this study suggests that policy-makers as well as airline and airport management need to take workable measures to improve upon air service quality. It is important for air service providers to recognize the importance of customer satisfaction; as such satisfaction may be the pillar for business continuation in Kiribati. Air Kiribati as well as airport managers must identify and improve upon factors that could limit or prevent customer defection to alternative transport modes. These factors may include employee performance and professionalism, willingness to solve problems, friendliness, and level of knowledge, communication skills and selling skills, among others.
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    Land and lineage : the articulation of social and physical space in an atoll village : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1996) King, Peter Stanton
    This thesis examines relationships between the social and physical environments of a village on Butaritari atoll in Kiribati. The system of ambilineal descent and land inheritance obtaining there results in complex networks of genealogical relationships which affect most aspects of social life, including land rights. While previous studies conducted in Kiribati have recognised the intimate connection between genealogy and land rights, none has investigated its ramifications for the distribution of land rights within a community. In contrast, this study engages that question as a central concern using a framework which integrates Bourdieu's concepts of social space, field and habitus with post-neo-Darwinian ideas about the relationship between organism and environment. The social space was found to be primarily structured by relationships based upon genealogy and secondarily by age and gender, each of which constituted a field within the wider social space. The genealogical field was defined by a network of positions, each representing a particular descent group. In accordance with the prevailing system of ambilineal descent, residents could belong to more than one descent group and it was upon the resulting networks of relationships between descent groups that the disposition of those groups within the genealogical field was defined. Because land-use rights were associated with genealogical connections the reconstruction of the genealogical field encompassing all of the village residents was a necessary precursor to discovering the distribution of those rights and the genealogical field was a central point of articulation between the social and physical spaces. The fields of age and gender relations provided further points of articulation between the social and physical spaces, the natures of which are examined through discussion of the material culture of the village and village and island politics. Despite a contemporary ideology of egalitarianism there were vestiges of a former hierarchy of social status groups. While the inter-group obligations, rights and responsibilities associated with this hierarchy were no longer practised, the association of contemporary residents with those social status groups bore a relationship to their position within the genealogical field and the amounts of land to which they shared rights.
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    Remittances: an informal but indispensable form of income for seafarer families in Kiribati
    (2009-07-17T02:31:17Z) Borovnik, Maria
    This paper discusses the distribution of remittances to Kiribati by looking at the socio-cultural elements of people and how these are linked to strategic-economic decision-making when remittances are received by families. Being employed on foreign merchant or tuna vessels has great economic advantages for Kiribati. One of the main advantages is that overseas employment is one of few employment alternatives for the working age population in Kiribati. Remittances sent back serve not only as safety nets for seafarer families, but people benefit through informal channels of distribution. It will be shown in this paper that and how remittances have led to better living conditions for families in Kiribati, increased cash flow and some investment. On the outer islands, however, remittances are often the only cash contribution for some families and are mainly used for basic needs and community contributions.