A Tongan researcher from the University of Waikato has revealed important insights into the impact of climate change on Pacific communities, particularly in Tonga and Samoa. Lora Vaioleti, who conducted this research alongside the University of Auckland and Mana Pacific Consultants, found that while climate change poses serious challenges, many people in these regions are determined to stay in their homeland, despite the growing stigma around climate-induced migration.
Vaioleti’s research, which employed Pacific-based methodologies and involved nearly 900 participants across Tonga, Samoa, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States, revealed that people in these communities desire real, practical support rather than relocation. “People obviously don’t want to move; they want real, practical, hands-on support,” Vaioleti said.
One of the key findings was that many families in Tonga and Samoa own land but lack the resources to develop it. As a result, some families are adopting a “dual mobility process,” where they temporarily move to countries like New Zealand to raise the necessary funds to build homes in safer areas within Tonga. This trend highlights the complex relationship between internal and external mobility driven by climate change.
Climate mobility, a term encompassing the movement of people due to environmental factors, is becoming an increasingly significant issue in the Pacific. Vaioleti pointed out that climate change affects not only housing but also food security, fishing, and cultural ties between New Zealand and its Pacific neighbors.
Despite these challenges, many Pacific families choose to stay because of their deep connections to the land, whether it’s where their ancestors are buried or simply the lack of other available land. In Tonga, the scarcity of land for relocation is a growing concern among leaders. “There’s not enough government land to relocate people from areas at high risk of erosion,” Vaioleti explained, emphasising the need for a reassessment of the land tenure system.
The research also highlighted frustrations within the communities regarding the short-term nature of many climate change projects. Participants expressed a strong desire for ongoing, long-term investment in awareness programs and adaptation support, recognising that climate change is an enduring issue that will only become more pressing in the future.
The study, which was funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, calls for a deeper and sustained commitment to addressing climate change in the Pacific, reflecting the voices and needs of the communities most affected.
