Release the Kraken! Binding Rangi to Papa to Unite the Moana

A blueprint for a new pan-Pacific regional order of harmonious sovereign unity

Perspectives my own and do not represent the official or unofficial position of any particular group, organisation, or agency. The synthesis of themes in this article is an attempt to resolve two prominent antagonising issues that affect the Pacific region. Article subject to future edit and revision.

States and territories across the Pacific region are party to a consortium of many piggies in the middle of a global game of great-power competition.

However great the work of the PIF, I am still somewhat sceptic that the PIF is the only vessel toward greater Pacific unity. Even with the PIF, in the eyes of the average lay individual across the 7 billion people inhabiting the planet I am very sure that the Pacific Ocean really does seem like a fragmented collection of islands, each island being a country or nation of its own.

When people think about New Zealand, they don’t think of it as member to the Pacific Ocean, only that it exists in the southern part of the Pacific Ocean, possibly even part of Australia (if they know where NZ is). In like manner this general mentality most likely applies to every other society in the Pacific, except for Hawaiʻi and West Papua which respectively have strong association with the USA and Indonesia.

3.2 Drawing the Pacific circle of harmonious sovereign unity: Toward a constitutional Oceanic monarchy
To overcome the decidedly misperceived representation of the Pacific’s true spirit, I propose the development of a new regional institution whose purpose is to firmly cement the bonds of Pacific unity and oneness across our great expanse by scribing a circle of harmonious sovereign unity around the perimeter of the Pacific Rim. Within the shelter of proposed circle of sovereign unity, fora such as the concerted activities of the MPS, PLG, MSG, and PIF can be sustained and supported to develop and flourish, blossoming into the truly united Blue Pacific that Oceania aught to be perceived as.
The basis of the circle of sovereign unity is the indigenous peoples, tribes and nations of the Pacific who serve as the inherently noble and sovereign pillars, the foundational sovereign pou-tokomanawa that raise the shelter of unity. The light of true sovereign unity cannot exist unless it is first allowed to collectively shine forth from the eyes (mata) of indigenous and first nations people. From these pillars a monarch should be appointed whose duty is to reign as the lording chief guardian (“aliki kaitaiki rangatira matai”) of the Pacific ocean/continent/states, acting as the living symbol and authoriser of pan-Pacific unity and integration.
Similarly to the idea presented by P.M. Tuilaepa regarding the PIF leadership, and also the method of appointing the Yang di-Pertuan Agong head of state of Malaysia from the Malaysian sulṭánates, the reigning Pacific monarch should be appointed on a rotating basis between the sub-regional groupings of Melanesia, Polynesia, and Micronesia + Taiwan, and each sub-region should also present indigenous heads on a rotating basis. Successive appointments to the role of paramount Pacific sovereign should emerge as a pattern of cycle of cycles.

Pacific nations that have a large proportion of non-indigenous populations (Aotearoa, Hawaiʻi, Taiwan, New Caledonia, Fiji, Guam) or are occasionally embroiled in domestic conflict (Solomon Islands, Papua Niu Guinea, West Papua) will most likely require concerted organising effort on the part of their indigenous groupings to develop the semblance of unity such that a candidate to the seat of the monarchy can be appointed when it is their turn. Other predominantly indigenous states that are already significantly united and decolonised should find the process relatively simple and straight forward, with ready-to-go candidates such as sitting heads-of-state.

Recognising that several of the nations mentioned have fuzzy international pact obligations, or are not independent from the non-Pacific state powers that have consumed them, it is necessary that the circle of sovereign unity is dynamic and flexible, allowing for broad harmonious participation.
In some parts of the Pacific expanse the monarchy will be able to shine with the resplendant glory of true sovereign unity, presiding over regional fora. In other parts of the Pacific it will act as a supporting shadow partner to various degrees in relation to a locality’s position on the fuzzy spectrum between colonial dependence and sovereign independence, perhaps with gradualist decolonial liberation interests such that true sovereign unity is eventually realised.

Therefore, it is important that the monarchy is not a traditional imperialistic Westphalien monarchy cut-and-paste direct from the continent, whether of soley Western, Abrahamic, Dharmic, or Sinetic inspiration. Rather, it should combine the useful insights from each of the the continental traditions, and then, it must be designed as an institution with quintessential Oceanic characteristics, seated somewhere in the Pacific’s central heart (perhaps sharing the premises of the PIF secretariat) chartered with an expressly evolutionary purpose that directly correlates to the current spirit and needs of the time that it operates, advised by both its sovereign indigenous pillars and the common political fora of the Pacific.

A Great Pan-Pacific Heart-Centred United People’s Kingdom
(大太平洋中心联合人民王国)

Similarly to ASEAN centrality, a united pan-Pacific kingdom founded on a “circle of harmonious sovereign unity” may be better placed to facilitate moderating the globalising and in some ways self-interested forces of the great continental powers. A united pan-Pacific kingdom also has the bonus benefit of the world’s peoples eventually recognising that Hinemoananui, the great mother ocean, is one interconnected expanse of people born of her many fanua.

So, where to from here?

If you didn’t know before reading this, now you know. So now, peers, allies, comrades, like-minded thinkers and friends of solidarity, the Oceanic Liberation Army is waiting for YOU, join at your will to labour for the cause of Pacific unity. Onward to destiny!

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