Historical Dictionary of Polynesia by Robert D. Craig

Author:Robert D. Craig
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scarecrow Press
Published: 2011-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

– P –

PĀ. A New Zealand Māori word used frequently to refer to one’s village or settlement. Traditionally, it referred to a fortified village with its houses (kainga) and open, communal assembly area (marae).

PACIFIC ARTS ASSOCIATION. An international organization devoted to the study of arts in Oceania. Specifically, it encourages understanding of Oceanic arts, supports high standards of research and writing about the arts, stimulates the teaching of Oceanic arts courses, encourages cooperation among institutions and individuals, and encourages high standards of conservation and preservation of the material cultures of the region. Organized first in 1978 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, the association holds annual symposia and publishes various books, a Pacific Arts Newsletter (1978– ), and a journal, Pacific Arts (1990– ). Its executive committee consists of prominent individuals currently serving on other international art boards—for example, the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), the Musée National des Arts d'Afrique (Paris), and the Tijbaou Cultural Center (New Caledonia). Its current president is Michael Gunn of the National Gallery of Australia. The website is located at http://www.pacificarts.org.

PACIFIC-ASIAN CONGRESS OF MUNICIPALITIES (PACOM). Formed in December 1971 by Mayor Frank Fasi of Honolulu to provide an international gathering of Pacific Asian mayors for “international research and information for the development and exchange of ideas, technical assistance and practical experience in municipal government.” The last gathering was held in Calgary, Canada, in July 1992 (during Fasi’s last term as mayor). The general session of the meetings included speeches, panels, and workshops on various timely topics as decided upon by the executive committee.

PACIFIC COMMUNITY. Originally called the South Pacific Commission (SPC), it was established by the governments of Australia, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Great Britain, and the United States, in February 1947 (effective July 1948) primarily as an association for the peoples of the region to assist in their economic, social, and cultural development. Its permanent headquarters was established in Anse Vata, a suburb of Nouméa, capital of New Caledonia. Current members of the SPC include American Sāmoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, United Kingdom (absent 1996–1998), United States, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna islands, and Sāmoa. It changed its name to the Pacific Community on 6 February 1998 to better reflect its pan-Pacific organization and interests.

The Conference of the Pacific Community, an auxiliary body composed of a representative and one alternative from each of the members, meets annually to discuss matters relating to its jurisdiction. It is the decision-making body of the commission, and each member has the right to cast one vote on behalf of his or her government or territorial administration (27 in all).

The secretariat is the administrative arm of the organization and is headed by a director-general, currently Jimmy Rodgers from the Solomon Islands, since 23 January 2006. About 75 percent of the Community’s budget ($54.8 million in 2007) was contributed by Australia (27 percent), France (13 percent), New Zealand (26 percent), the European Union (5.

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