Josiah Tualamali'i co-author of the Pacific chapter in the University of Canterbury's 150th anniversary book. Photo: Supplied
A co-author of the Pacific chapter for the University of Canterbury's 150th anniversary book - - says Pacific stories have been missing in how the university is remembered.
Josiah Tualamali'i, who is currently doing his Masters in history at the University of Canterbury (UC) said Pacific people have been part of Canterbury from the beginning.
"Right across the 150 years," Tualamali'i said.
"Yet it's only really been in the last 20 years or so that we've had a Pacific development team, that we've had greater visibility beyond just where there might be a couple of Pacific academics."
The chapter, "The Ocean in Us: The Pacific and the University of Canterbury", is part of the university's book marking the 150-year milestone from 1873-2023.
Tualamali'i said the university had forgotten its prominent Pacific alumni, who had often gone on to achieve greater things in life than their more-recognised counterparts.
"It does say a lot that up until this year, there was only one Pacific person who had ever received an honorary doctorate and that was in 2003.
"We're talking about presidents, prime ministers, very senior lawyers, leaders of health systems and many other very significant leaders."
The chapter said the relationship between Canterbury and Pacific people have early origins through the cultural connection of Ngāi Tahu.
A later Pacific connection is through John Macmillan Brown, a founding professor, who travelled extensively through the Pacific "taking photographs, collecting artefacts and, controversially, human remains".
Tualamali'i said Macmillan Brown wanted to set up a school for ocean studies to train colonial officials from New Zealand to administer Island territories in the region.
University of Canterbury 150 year book launch, (from left) Josiah Tualamali'i representing the Pacific chapter co-authors, Jeff Field, Dr John Wilson lead author, Dr Chris Jones, Catherine Montgomery publisher, Dr Mike Grimshaw and Dr Geoffrey Rice. Photo: Supplied
"Part of the reason why the university was set up was to have this relationship across the Pacific and it was supposed to be a colonial relationship."
In 1988, as part of the professor's legacy, the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies was set up and is one of the most prestigious research institutions across the region for Pacific issues.
Tualamali'i said Macmillan Brown, the person, has a "complicated position" with the Pacific but the centre is influential and essential in ensuring Pacific people have a place at the university.
He said the 150th anniversary has been a good opportunity for Canterbury to reflect on what the university should look like going forward.
He wants the university to deepen its relationships with the Pacific countries students come from.
"And thinking about ways it can support the deepening of that relationship between Ngāi Tahu and the university, and the Pacific, thinking of ways that the three can convene something."
Tualamali'i said he also wants to see UC reengaging with students who have been undervalued in the past and protecting the progress made by the Pacific development team.
"Those core components together will make a big difference for UC, deepening its journey of being an inclusive and a Pacific-centred university."