A moment of profound cultural, historical, and scholarly significance unfolded at the close of the 53rd OCIES Conference in Ōtautahi Christchurch. As the conference came to an end, the OCIES waka/vaka/va‘a—one of the Society’s most treasured taonga and a living symbol of interconnectedness across Oceania—was ceremonially passed to the hosts of the 54th OCIES Conference: Solomon Islands National University (SINU).
This act, rich in Oceania traditions of gifting and guardianship, marks the beginning of a new chapter for OCIES and affirms the central role of Solomon Islands in the region’s ongoing educational journey.
The OCIES waka was formally adopted at the 2018 OCIES Conference in Wellington as the Society’s symbolic representation and enduring taonga. Conceptualised under the leadership of Professor Kabini Sanga, the waka embodies purpose, voyaging, and vision—representing the collective educational journeys across Oceania.
As articulated in the 2018 statement:
A waka symbolizes purpose (engagement, voyaging, journeying) and direction (visions, dreams, futures) towards newer shores… A functioning waka bears the marks of past journeys… offering lessons from which to learn.
Designed as a ceramic, oceanic vessel—durable enough to travel across borders and open enough to welcome all—it invites the OCIES community to paddle together, without hierarchy or reserved seats. It is a symbolic reminder that comparative and international education in Oceania is a shared voyage: inclusive, relational, adaptive, and always moving forward.
From time immemorial, Pacific cultures have practised the art of gifting—holding objects in stewardship before passing them on, carrying the mana of previous custodians into new spaces. The OCIES waka/vaka/va‘a honours this tradition.
Its journey across the region has already included Aotearoa New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, and Australia. At each stop, it absorbs the stories, aspirations, and relationships formed through the conference it anchors.
At the 2025 OCIES Conference in Ōtautahi Christchurch, the waka was passed through the hands of three convenors who each contributed to its ongoing narrative:
- Rebecca Spratt, Co-Convenor of the 52nd OCIES Conference hosted in Melbourne by the Australian Catholic University (ACU), who passed the waka to;
- Dr David Small, Co-Convenor of the 53rd Conference in Ōtautahi Christchurch, who then passed it forward to
- Dr Patricia Rodie, Dean of the Faculty of Education and Humanities at SINU, is the Convenor of the upcoming 54th Conference in 2026.
With this, the waka begins its voyage northward, from Te Waipounamu to Guadalcanal, reconnecting yet another corner of our vast wansolwara.
In her acceptance speech, Dr Rodie expressed deep gratitude on behalf of SINU, the Ministry of Education, and the wider Solomon Islands community:
It is with great pride, deep gratitude, and a profound sense of responsibility that I stand before you… to host the 2026 OCIES Conference at the Solomon Islands National University in Honiara.
She emphasised that hosting the conference is not only an academic achievement but a national moment—one that affirms the contribution of smaller Pacific states to education, research, and cultural exchange. Dr Rodie highlighted the significance of OCIES placing its confidence in Solomon Islands:
Your decision reflects… your recognition of the important role that smaller Pacific states can play in advancing education, research, and cultural exchange across Oceania.
Her remarks also positioned the 2026 conference as a platform to elevate Pacific knowledge systems, strengthen regional relationships, and foster meaningful conversations about the future of education in Oceania.
SINU has committed to hosting a conference grounded in hospitality, inclusivity, academic excellence, and cultural richness—the very qualities that define the Solomon Islands. Dr Rodie affirmed:
Hosting the 2026 OCIES Conference is more than an event for us—it is an opportunity to bring the region together in a spirit of collaboration, inclusivity, and shared purpose.
In November 2026, the OCIES community will gather in Honiara, welcomed with the warmth for which Solomon Islands is renowned. It will be a moment to reconnect, to reflect, and to chart new directions for comparative and international education across Oceania.
Dr Rodie closed her address with a call that speaks to both unity and shared identity:
We look forward to welcoming you all to Honiara in November 2026 for a truly memorable OCIES Conference. Umi wan solwara!
The voyage continues—and the waka now heads for Solomon Islands, carrying with it the hopes and dreams of the region it serves.
Rebecca Spratt, Co-Convenor of the 52nd OCIES Conference hosted in Melbourne by the Australian Catholic University (ACU) presents the OCIES waka to Dr David Smaill.
Dr David Small, Co-Convenor of the 53rd Conference in Ōtautahi Christchurch, presents the OCIES Vaka to Dr Patricia Rodie.
The OCIES Vaka