Wade Gadsby, Massey University

Wade’s research topic: How Indigenous systems and emergent leadership in Vanuatu’s Tourism Sector contribute to resilience in the face of shocks.

“My research sought to unpack how exactly the tourism sector in Vanuatu has been able to withstand a number of challenging factors in recent years. Completing fieldwork in Vanuatu during November and December 2023, I started to understand the practicalities of the resilience of Vanuatu people. These ancient Indigenous resilience systems, which also have similarities that echo out across other Pacific Island nations, are still proving effective and beneficial in modern-day challenges, particularly when new emerging leaders champion these ideals from their positions of influence.

I was blessed to have my whānau with me for a few weeks of research. Together we witnessed the nation’s resilience first-hand, as they were just starting to have fresh produce restored to local markets after crop devastation by the twin cyclones nine months prior. We were challenged by stories of other children my boys’ age, having to live solely on a yam diet for three months, yet seeing how generous they were with what little there was. In one village, I was given the first pawpaw of the season, and I struggled to wrestle with the tensions of cultural protocols of honour and the fact that there were hungry people who had anticipated this fruit for months before its arrival. It still brings me to tears.

 
A heartfelt thank you to my awesome supervisors, Apisalome Movono and my adopted Aunty, Regina Scheyvens, as well as DevNet and MFAT for their generous support of this research.”

Wade Gadsby, Master of International Development, Massey University.