New Flags Flying in Suva

Forty-two years after achieving independence on 10th October 1970, Fiji will see the launch of a new book looking at Pacific independence - 'New Flags Flying: Pacific Leadership' - edited by Ian Johnstone and Michael Powles,(Huia.-NZ$40).

The book provides an insider's view of the journeys to independence for fourteen Pacific nations from 1960 - 1990. The book is based on interviews with key Pacific leaders over the last thirty years, including Fiji's first Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, who were involved in the lead-up to and achievement of independence of their respective nations.

'The path since independence for some of these countries, particularly Fiji, has not always been smooth and so it is fitting that this book launch is held in Suva as an opportunity to revisit the hopes and fears of great Pacific leaders of the past' said Michael Powles.

These 'voices from the past' provide a rare insight into each country's internal struggles and achievements to gain independence and so present a nation-by-nation history of the change from being colonial subjects to citizens of Pacific nations.

Accompanied by maps, photographs and background information about the Pacific nations, the book provides a rich source of independence stories and material. The book also has an accompanying audio CD which contains excerpts from the original interviews.

The book launch will be hosted by Tuiloma Neroni Slade, Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum and will be held at the Forum Secretariat, Suva on Tuesday 9th October 2012 in the presence of many people, from the University of the South Pacific and elsewhere, interseted in the recent history of the independent island countries of the Pacific.

About the authors

Ian Johnstone is a former East West Center Senior Jefferson Fellow and has reported on South Pacific matters for the South Pacific Commission, TVNZ, Radio New Zealand, UNESCO and print media.

Michael Powles is a former New Zealand high commissioner to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu. He writes and lectures on international relations and is currently a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Strategic Studies, Victoria University of Wellington.