Oceans Between Us: Pacific Peoples and Racism in Aotearoa

Racism. There, we said it. You can let your shoulders drop now that you know we will say the word and not sidestep it to protect people’s comfort. Or, you can raise your shoulders in preparation for tension as you realise that this book will not talk about unconscious bias or other terms that enable us to excuse ourselves from our own complicity in, inaction on, or upholding of racist structures. -- Sereana Naepi Salt water carries the weight of powerful stories - of migration, struggle and survival. It is in the sweat of labour, the tears of grief and joy, and the waves that have shaped generations. Like the ocean, racism has carved deep scars in the landscapes we navigate. In this collection, thirteen Pacific scholars rise to turn the tide, dissecting the racism embedded in New Zealand’s core systems, from education and health to justice and climate. Through ten essays rooted in the va - the relational space of story, dialogue and environment - each chapter builds on the next, weaving together lived experiences and sharp insights. Oceans Between Us is both a testimony and a call to action. It documents the struggles of Pacific peoples and envisions a world beyond now. A rallying cry for justice, a demand for equity and a catalyst for change, this book is not about survival alone - it’s about thriving.

Sereana Naepi (Fijian, Pakeha) is an associate professor in sociology at Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland. With a research focus on equity in higher education, Indigenous research methodologies, and the experiences of Pacific peoples, Maori and early career researchers in academia, she is committed to addressing systemic barriers to success in universities and advocating for institutional change. Her work explores the impact of neoliberalism on education and the need for Indigenous knowledge systems to be recognised within academic spaces. Sereana has co-authored research on decolonising universities and improving pathways for underrepresented scholars. She is a recipient of the Rutherford Discovery Fellowship and Spencer Education grants. Through her scholarship and advocacy, she contributes to rethinking how education serves diverse communities, challenging traditional structures to create more just and inclusive learning environments for future generations.