Review: Oceans Between Us, edited by Sereana Naepi
'One moment brought me to a full stop, learning about Banaba, where 90% of the land was mined away, leaving it uninhabitable and forcing its people to relocate. A genuine 'WTF' moment...'
From the outset, Oceans Between Us (OBU) sets a powerful and emotionally deep tone. In the foreword, Ashlea Gillon Aramoana invites readers into a virtual pōwhiri, a conceptual space for 'excruciating, blunt, purposeful or hilarious conversations.' This is akin to the tau talatalanoa model (mentioned in the book) of Pacific dialogue which grounds the collection, signalling that this is more than a book, it’s a cultural space for connection, challenge, and change.
By page 35 of 255, I’d already used a highlighter and an entire pack of arrow tags. That’s how engaged I was, pausing to reflect, research, and re-read. At times, I genuinely questioned whether I was the right person to review this book, because it struck such deep chords. Familiar themes resonated, while new information sent me down rabbit holes, fact-checking, learning, and re-learning.
The chapter titles are either razor-sharp provocations or clear signposts: HISTORY – They Call Me Bunga and CLIMATE JUSTICE – There Can Be No (Climate) Justice on Stolen Land are standout examples. Others, like RACISM – Why We Need to Talk About It, are direct and unapologetic. The writers don’t tiptoe around tough topics, they’re upfront, clear, and challenging.
Historical racism is laid bare. One moment brought me to a full stop, learning about Banaba, where 90% of the land was mined away, leaving it uninhabitable and forcing its people to relocate. A genuine 'WTF' moment. How could I, a Pacific person raised in Aotearoa, not have known about this?
The ECONOMY chapter - Is the Migrant Dream a Capitalist Dream? opens with a stark truth: 'EVERY AUTHOR ON THIS PAGE EXPERIENCES A PAY GAP.' But it ends with an ancient truth, a reminder that kaitiakitanga, when practiced, serves and uplifts everyone.
Some themes repeat across chapters, likely due to the range of contributors but this isn’t a flaw. Hearing messages in different contexts, consolidates and strengthens their impact. Racism is a complex and far-reaching topic. Repetition helps us absorb and understand it.
The JUSTICE SYSTEM chapter stands out for its use of storytelling — a powerful tool that bridges intellect and emotion.
This book is for anyone ready to understand or challenge the racism Pacific Peoples experience in Aotearoa. For those challenged by questions like, 'Why do equity scholarships exist?' - the answers are here, laid out clearly and comprehensively.
The chapters span education, health, justice, economy, climate and more — moving beyond surface-level critique to expose root causes. Given my connection with the Polynesian Panthers Educate to Liberate programme, I initially wondered if there should have been a chapter on activism. But I came to realise that Oceans Between Us is an act of activism. It’s research-informed, bold, and hopeful, opening tough conversations and offering tools for change.
Gillon Aramoana writes that the book is a space where Pacific Peoples can 'share the genealogy of racism,' with a cheeky warning that 'dusty crusty racists will be mad!' A line that lands with both humour and truth. This book does not aim to comfort those who uphold the status quo, it speaks to those working to change it.
The contributors: educators, scholars, artists, and community leaders are united in their commitment to truth telling. Chelsea Naepi explains, 'bonds of solidarity must be unwavering, loud, proud and unapologetic'.
Finally, the cover artwork by Vasemaca Tavola brings the kaupapa full circle. Her textile piece is a visual response to Pacific history in Aotearoa, rich in culture, resistance, and identity.
Oceans Between Us is not a book to sit quietly on a shelf. Reviewed by Pauline Smith MNZM
