Philosophy
What matters is a working notion of an acceptable moral balance that has all the identifying characteristics of the different moral claims'... the conventional development model, followed by governments in our shared Pacific Islands region, is fundamentally inadequate for addressing the broad social, economic, environmental, political, and cultural development needs confronting the Pacific Islands today... the present approach to development in the Pacific Islands requires fundamental reframing and redirection'
(Halapua, S. Environment and Development in the Pacific Islands).
At the heart of Dr Halapua's Theory of Talanoa, conceptualised and actualised through his work in the Asia-Pacific region, was a recognition that development is synonymous with conflict and any ambition towards the former necessitates that you resolve the latter.
Richard A. Falk, Professor Emeritus of International Law at Princeton University, speaking about Talanoa at the International Studies Association Annual Convention, Montreal, 18 March 2011:
"...talanoa, which I think is an extremely valuable way of conceiving of both conflict resolution and communication, in various types. Of communication that is preoccupied with how those with different cultural and historical and identity differences - how can they talk productively together. And I think one of the insights in this idea of noa - which is in a way, to me anyway, is the most creative aspect of this - is that it provides an instructional perspective on how to listen [so] that communication can really take place. Unless one learns to listen - and this is particularly important in communication that is contaminated by hierarchy, and particularly the hierarchies of the west and the non-west, where the Imperial heritage and predispositions of the west are to talk, but not to listen; to have things to tell the other, but nothing to learn from the other. So I think that what this talanoa does is to create potential conditions for communication based on a terrain of mutuality."
Our thinking on Talanoa is given in a number of publications and interviews:
Books
Halapua, S. (2025) Introducing Talanoa Collected Papers. Talanoa Books NZ.
Halapua, S. (2022) The Art of Talanoa. Talanoa Books NZ.
Halapua, S. (2014) Talanoa 'a e Kafataha Mahino mo e Fakakaukau Kakoto. Talanoa Books NZ
Papers and interviews
Halapua, S 2003. Walking the Knife-edged Pathways to Peace, Inaugural Public Lecture of the Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, Friendship Foundation, Suva Fiji.
Halapua, S 2007. Talanoa-Talking from the Heart, SGI Quarterly: The Possibilities of Dialogue
Halapua, S., and Peau Halapua 2011. Global Democracy as Talanoa: A Pacific Outsider) Perspective, presented at the annual meeting of the International Studies Association Annual Conference "Global Governance: Political Authority in Transition", Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel, MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA, Mar 16, 2011
Halapua, S., 2011 Dr Sitiveni Halapua: Pacific's diversity key to finding peace and prosperity 5.30 AM Friday September 9, 2011 New Zealand Herald
2011. East West Center State of the Pacific Dialoque 25-26. th January 2011. A Talanoa based private 'State of the Pacific Dialogue' brought representatives from Pacific Island nations, Australia, Japan and the U.S. among others. More
Halapua, S. (2012) "Without Vision Where is Political Reform Taking Tonga?" 20:40 Monday April 16, Matangi Tonga Online
Halapua S. (2013) Talanoa in Building Democracy and Governance presentation: Conference 'Future Leaders of the Pacific Pagopago, American Samoa, February 4-7.
Halapua, S. 2014. Talanoa 'a e Kafataha: Mahino mo e Fakakaukau Kakato Talanoa Books, Auckland, New Zealand.
Halapua S., 2015. "Talanoa: Measure of Relative Human Values in Global Cooperation" in Jan Aart Scholte (ed.) Global Cooperation Through Cultural Diversity: Remaking Democracy? Global Dialogues 8, Käte Hamburger Kolleg/Centre for Global Cooperation Research, Duisburg 2015.
Halapua S., 2015. Reform with a Plurality of Divergent Inter-generational Freedoms (Opportunities) To Achieve in Dialogue China's New Reforms: the Role of the Party. Papers from "The Party and the World Dialogue 2014, China Center for Contemporary World Studies & China Center for Peace and Development, pp 247-258.
Halapua, S., 2014. How can the CPC Handle Future Challenges? Interview 24-11-2014, China Radio Internalional
For our perspective on the issues of sustainable development, please see:
Harmonising resources for sustainable economic development in the Pacific Islands context Halapua, S., 1997, in B Burt & C Clerk (eds.), Environment and Development in the Pacific Islands, National Centre for Development Studies, Canberra & University of Papua New Guinea Press, Port Moresby, pp.22-29.
Understanding Tonga is key to doing business Pacific Cooperation Foundation presentation 4th November 2016, New Zealand Tonga Business Council (NZTBC)