title: An Elusive Dream: Multiracial Harmony in Fiji 1970-2000.

authors: Gaunder, Padmini

subjects: Fiji

abstract: The common perception of Fiji, which is unique in the South Pacific, is that of an ethnically divided society with the indigenous and immigrant communities often at loggerheads. This perception was heightened by the military coups of 1987, which overthrew the democratically elected government of Dr. Timoci Bavadra because it was perceived as Indian-dominated. Again in 2000, the People's Coalition Government headed by an Indian, Mahendra Chaudhry, was ousted in a civilian coup.

Yet Fiji had been genuinely multiethnic for several decades (even centuries) before it became a colony in 1874. From then onwards, however, because of the policies of the colonial government, the society slowly became plural (in Furnivall's classic sense) as the different races were separated in almost every walk of life. Until the 1920s there were hardly any conflicts between Fijians and Indians.  From the 1920s, however, the Fijians were taught to be wary of the Indians.

After independence in 1970, the Alliance government under Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara followed a policy of  multiracialism  with the stated aim of bringing the different ethnic groups together in a society where people achieved some degree of integration in terms of a common national identity, while retaining their own separate traditions.  But, more than thirty years later, Fiji still remains an ethnically divided society with hardly any integration. My research explores the reason for this failure.

My thesis is that the failure arose from the kind of democratic system that the country adopted at independence. That is, the Westminster concept of government and opposition can be problematic in a multiethnic society if political parties are divided on ethnic lines rather than based on political ideologies. Ratu Mara was one Fiji leader who recognized this problem and had said that the confrontational Westminster system is not appropriate in a South Pacific island with a multiracial population.

While Stephanie Lawson, Peter Larmour, Futa Helu and others have made some important contribution to this debate, my thesis will focus on an argument put forward by  Michael Goldsmith on the role of the opposition, making a distinction between two kinds of pposition,  confrontational  and  thoughtful . This thesis contends that the Westminster system that Fiji adopted at independence failed to bring integration in part because the National Federation Party (NFP) degenerated over the years from a 'thoughtful' and effective opposition to a 'confrontational', ethnic opposition.

text: An Elusive Dream: Multiracial Harmony in Fiji 1970-2000. The common perception of Fiji, which is unique in the South Pacific, is that of an ethnically divided society with the indigenous and immigrant communities often at loggerheads. This perception was heightened by the military coups of 1987, which overthrew the democratically elected government of Dr. Timoci Bavadra because it was perceived as Indian-dominated. Again in 2000, the People's Coalition Government headed by an Indian, Mahendra Chaudhry, was ousted in a civilian coup.

Yet Fiji had been genuinely multiethnic for several decades (even centuries) before it became a colony in 1874. From then onwards, however, because of the policies of the colonial government, the society slowly became plural (in Furnivall's classic sense) as the different races were separated in almost every walk of life. Until the 1920s there were hardly any conflicts between Fijians and Indians.  From the 1920s, however, the Fijians were taught to be wary of the Indians.

After independence in 1970, the Alliance government under Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara followed a policy of  multiracialism  with the stated aim of bringing the different ethnic groups together in a society where people achieved some degree of integration in terms of a common national identity, while retaining their own separate traditions.  But, more than thirty years later, Fiji still remains an ethnically divided society with hardly any integration. My research explores the reason for this failure.

My thesis is that the failure arose from the kind of democratic system that the country adopted at independence. That is, the Westminster concept of government and opposition can be problematic in a multiethnic society if political parties are divided on ethnic lines rather than based on political ideologies. Ratu Mara was one Fiji leader who recognized this problem and had said that the confrontational Westminster system is not appropriate in a South Pacific island with a multiracial population.

While Stephanie Lawson, Peter Larmour, Futa Helu and others have made some important contribution to this debate, my thesis will focus on an argument put forward by  Michael Goldsmith on the role of the opposition, making a distinction between two kinds of pposition,  confrontational  and  thoughtful . This thesis contends that the Westminster system that Fiji adopted at independence failed to bring integration in part because the National Federation Party (NFP) degenerated over the years from a 'thoughtful' and effective opposition to a 'confrontational', ethnic opposition.

year: 2007

title: The Law of End-Use Energy Efficiency

authors: Eusterfeldhaus, Marcel

subjects: End-Use Energy Efficiency

abstract: This thesis investigates options for reforming New Zealand’s law, regulation and policy concerning energy efficiency. The external drivers in law, regulation and policy that affect household energy use for space heating, hot water heating and household appliances will be examined. Comparative studies with Germany and California will be conducted to make a systematic appraisal of existing policy instruments with the intention of seeing which of these instruments could be applicable in a New Zealand context. The role of the state and the implementation of regulation will be addressed as well as the effectiveness of different energy efficiency measures to change consumer behaviour to adopt energy efficiency in their household. One can conveniently divide the different energy efficiency measures into conventional regulation, decentred regulation, market mechanisms and fiscal measures; unregulated market forces can also be considered. Governments do not develop market mechanisms for domestic end-use energy efficiency. The advantage of conventional regulation (such as energy performance standards) is that it is not as dependent on market and consumer behaviour as decentred regulation (such as energy information measures and voluntary agreements) or situations with no regulation (where market pressure may still be present). The advantage of decentred regulation is that it is more flexible than conventional regulation and can therefore provide a quicker response to the contemporary challenges of evolving markets. Fiscal measures such as subsidies and funding are considered a good approach as a support of conventional regulation. Forceful direction by the legislature is needed to improve the energy efficiency measures. There should be a mixture of conventional regulation, decentred regulation and fiscal measures. The aim is to make the industry manufacture and distribute energy efficient products and convince the consumer to buy these products.

text: The Law of End-Use Energy Efficiency This thesis investigates options for reforming New Zealand’s law, regulation and policy concerning energy efficiency. The external drivers in law, regulation and policy that affect household energy use for space heating, hot water heating and household appliances will be examined. Comparative studies with Germany and California will be conducted to make a systematic appraisal of existing policy instruments with the intention of seeing which of these instruments could be applicable in a New Zealand context. The role of the state and the implementation of regulation will be addressed as well as the effectiveness of different energy efficiency measures to change consumer behaviour to adopt energy efficiency in their household. One can conveniently divide the different energy efficiency measures into conventional regulation, decentred regulation, market mechanisms and fiscal measures; unregulated market forces can also be considered. Governments do not develop market mechanisms for domestic end-use energy efficiency. The advantage of conventional regulation (such as energy performance standards) is that it is not as dependent on market and consumer behaviour as decentred regulation (such as energy information measures and voluntary agreements) or situations with no regulation (where market pressure may still be present). The advantage of decentred regulation is that it is more flexible than conventional regulation and can therefore provide a quicker response to the contemporary challenges of evolving markets. Fiscal measures such as subsidies and funding are considered a good approach as a support of conventional regulation. Forceful direction by the legislature is needed to improve the energy efficiency measures. There should be a mixture of conventional regulation, decentred regulation and fiscal measures. The aim is to make the industry manufacture and distribute energy efficient products and convince the consumer to buy these products.

year: 2010

title: Respecting and recognising Indigenous rights when challenged by commercial activities

authors: Toki, Valmaine

abstract: The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was hailed as a triumph among Indigenous peoples, signalling a long-awaited recognition of their fundamental human rights. Despite this, many violations of these basic rights continue, particularly in relation to extractive industries and business activities. In response, a business reference guide seeks to inform industries of their responsibilities. This article examines the tenuous relationship between Indigenous rights, state responsibilities and business expectations.

text: Respecting and recognising Indigenous rights when challenged by commercial activities The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was hailed as a triumph among Indigenous peoples, signalling a long-awaited recognition of their fundamental human rights. Despite this, many violations of these basic rights continue, particularly in relation to extractive industries and business activities. In response, a business reference guide seeks to inform industries of their responsibilities. This article examines the tenuous relationship between Indigenous rights, state responsibilities and business expectations.

year: 2018