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Oceans, Islands, Futures - Ocean Governance and Resilience

Tracks
Ocean, Islands, Futures
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
1:45 PM - 3:15 PM
Conway 4

Speaker

Dr Peter Meihana
Trustee / Senior Lecturer
Te Rūnanga a Rangitāne o Wairau Trust/ Massey University

Progressing multi-scale climate hazard risk information development for decision-making in Pacific island countries: The PARTneR Project

1:45 PM - 2:00 PM

Biography

Shaun manages the Environmental Hazards group at NIWA based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand. He is a natural hazards scientist with special interests in applied multi-hazard risk sciences and management in the Pacific region. He also leads the Expert Team on MHEWS for the WMO Region-5 Southwest Pacific.
Dr Tuikolongahau Halafihi
Project Manager (Tuna- CC Warning System))
The Pacific Community

Adapting management of Pacific tuna fisheries to be resilient to the impacts of climate change

2:00 PM - 2:15 PM

Biography

Dr. Tuikolongahau Halafihi is a Project Manager (Tuna - Climate Change Warning System) at the Fisheries, Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (FAME) Division of the Pacific Community (SPC), Noumea, New Caledonia. He is overseeing the implementation of the New Zealand funded Project: Climate Science to Ensure Pacific Tuna Access (CSEPTA). Mr. Jonathan Peacey has extensive experience in fisheries, conservation, and natural resource management, undertaking advisory and leadership roles with NZ Ministry of Fisheries, NZ Seafood Industry Council, the Marine Stewardship Council, Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, and in the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, and other Pacific Island countries.
Ms Yvette Kerslake
Technical Adviser, Science To Services
Pacific Climate Change Centre SPREP

Pacific Oceans Pacific Climate Change Conference (POPCCC) a platform for Pacific Climate Resilience

2:15 PM - 2:30 PM

Biography

Yvette is Technical Adviser for Science to Services at PCCC, translating scientific research into practical services that enhance climate resilience across the Pacific. Having previously worked at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Multi-Country Office in Samoa as well as the Ministry of Natural Resources and environment of Samoa, Yvette has emphasized the importance of partnerships and practical applications of scientific research. Professor Aqorau is an accomplished academic and administrator, with over 30 years of experience in a variety of roles. He has held positions in both academic and administrative spheres, and has worked extensively at regional, national, and international levels. Professor Malua is the Vice chancellor for the National University of Samoa and has has a high profile in research; particularly in the field of climate and environment, He has more than 25 years of service and a wealth of experience in academic administration at NUS with her excellent track record in teaching and research; where she has been a member of various collaborations between NUS, regional and international partners as a researcher, consultant, project coordinator or both. Ofa is Manager at PCCC. Originally from Tonga, she leads the Centre’s efforts in technical programs on climate change resilience. Ofa has advocated for simplifying climate change information to make it more accessible to Pacific communities and ensuring that scientific findings are relatable and actionable at the community level.
Dr Michael Davis
Writer
Michael Davis Consultants

Oceanic ontologies: Theorising Pacific Indigenous water and land knowledges as adaptation strategies

2:45 PM - 3:00 PM

Biography

An independent academic, researcher, writer and consultant, Michael works across an interdisciplinary space in the humanities and social sciences. He has extensive experience researching and writing about relationships between Indigenous and Western knowledges, ecologies and histories, including theorising alternative postcolonial and adaptive futures. He has published widely in this area.
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