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Pacific Research: Home

Suggested databases, collections, archives, news media and sources of statistics to get started with your Pacific research.

Getting started with Pacific research

There are several different terms which have been used to describe Pacific people in New Zealand. This means you may need to repeat your searches using different terms.

Pasifika is largely used in education contexts, and is sometimes spelled as Pasefika or Pacifika.

Pacific Island, Pacific Islanders, Pacific Peoples, Polynesia, Melanesia, or the name of a specific country or island may be used, particularly in other subject disciplines.

Search tips

  • Use of singular and plural words e.g. island OR islands - do the use of singular or plural words make a difference to the results you get in your search?
  • Use of general or broader terms vs specific or narrower terms e.g. Pacific OR Oceania vs Polynesia OR Melanesia OR Micronesia (OR Samoa OR Solomon Islands OR Kiribati)
  • Alternate spellings of words e.g. Pacific OR Pasifika; decolonization OR decolonisation; globalization OR globalisation
  • Use of phrases e.g. "Pacific Islands", "Pacific diaspora", "islands of the Pacific", "Polynesian outlier", "Pacific way","political decolonization"

A good starting point for your research is the Library Catalogue where you can search databases, journals, books, images, media and more. 

You may also want to explore the collections in Manuscripts and Archives. 

How do I use the Library Catalogue?

The Waipapa Taumata Rau Library Catalogue has comprehensive search features and filters to help you tailor your search and get the best results. To get the most out of these features and learn how to navigate the Catalogue check out these step-by-step instructions:

For further support for using the Catalogue: 

What types of information can be found in the Catalogue?

You can find a wide range of sources of information in the Catalogue including: 

  • Databases
  • Journal articles
  • Books and e-books
  • Standards
  • Patents
  • Theses and dissertations
  • Newspaper and media articles

Where do I start with my research?

Libraries and Learning Services has lots resources to help you find the information you need: 

How do I know the sources I am using reliable?

Evaluation strategies can help gauge whether information is valuable and reliable. 

Have any questions?

If you have questions about library services, you can: 

Ask us

Te Fale Pouāwhina

Te Fale Pouāwhina logo

Te Fale Pouāwhina (TFP) provide academic learning support for all Māori and Pacific students. Feel free to contact us for a kōrero/talanoa about your academic learning needs. You can find us at Kate Edger Information Commons Level 1 room 131.

What if the item isn't held by the Library?

If an item you need is not available through our library, you can make an Interlibrary loan request.

How do I get a book from another University of Auckland location?

You can request books and collect them from any of our libraries, and request to have book chapters or journal articles emailed to you. You can also request books that are already on loan.

What if the item I need is missing from the shelves?

If you are unable to locate an item on library shelves, please ask library staff for assistance.