Seimoana Naisali, Massey University

“Conducting 8 weeks of fieldwork at the beginning of a global pandemic in Tonga proved challenging in more ways than one.  Cyclone season, an earthquake and torrential flooding taught me that no amount of planning can prepare you for Mother Nature, nor the unprecedented travel restrictions soon to follow.  Covid-19 introduced many new obstacles that affected my ability to conduct my research but with the support of family, Massey University and my academic supervisor, I was able to navigate my way through to completion.  

This award proved invaluable during my time abroad as it provided me with the stability and security to carry out my fieldwork in Tonga with only minor adjustments made to my overall design. Despite several lockdowns on the island, I was lucky enough to complete all my interviews and obtain official documentation from my chosen participants which gave me invaluable information and insight from the perspectives of local government and non-government stakeholders.  These interviews were critical to the quality of my research due to the vast knowledge gaps on methamphetamine in Tonga, and in particular, the community policing strategies dedicated to eradicating it.  I am truly grateful to this award for giving me the opportunity to learn on the ground and for an unforgettable experience of “doing research”.  I hope that my findings spark discussion on an important issue that requires more attention, investigation and analysis in development, and that more can and will be done to provide better aligned strategies focused on the wellbeing of the Tongan community“