COMP CLOSED | Book Giveaway | Oceans Between Us

Oceans Between Us
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We are very pleased to be giving away three copies of the book, ‘Oceans Between Us’, edited by Sereana Naepi, to our GrownUps members.

All you need to do to enter the draw is be a GrownUps member, make sure you’re signed up to our newsletter and fill in your details near the bottom of the page!

Oceans Between UsAbout Oceans Between Us

Emerging voices, urgent truths: a bold and unflinching examination of racism against Pacific peoples in New Zealand.

Racism. There, we said it. You can let your shoulders drop now that you know we will say the word and not sidestep it to protect people’s comfort. Or, you can raise your shoulders in preparation for tension as you realise that this book will not talk about unconscious bias or other terms that enable us to excuse ourselves from our own complicity in, inaction on, or upholding of racist structures. — Sereana Naepi

Salt water carries the weight of powerful stories – of migration, struggle and survival. It is in the sweat of labour, the tears of grief and joy, and the waves that have shaped generations. Like the ocean, racism has carved deep scars in the landscapes we navigate. In this collection, thirteen Pacific scholars rise to turn the tide, dissecting the racism embedded in New Zealand’s core systems, from education and health to justice and climate. Through ten essays rooted in the vā – the relational space of story, dialogue and environment – each chapter builds on the next, weaving together lived experiences and sharp insights.

Oceans Between Us is both a testimony and a call to action. It documents the struggles of Pacific peoples and envisions a world beyond now. A rallying cry for justice, a demand for equity and a catalyst for change, this book is not about survival alone – it’s about thriving.

ENDORSEMENTS

‘This book promises to be a timely and much-needed intervention into discussions of race in Aotearoa.’ — Simon Barber, senior lecturer of sociology, gender studies and criminology, Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka – University of Otago

‘Oceans Between Us is a paradigm-defining work – filling a crucial gap in scholarship on racism against Pacific communities in New Zealand. Bringing together critical academic analysis and lived experience, this book is both intellectually enriching and a call for social transformation.’ — Steven Ratuva, Pro-Vice Chancellor Pacific, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha – University of Canterbury

‘Oceans Between Us is a groundbreaking collection that fuses critical scholarship with Pacific cultural wisdom. Connecting past, present and future, it confronts the deep-seated racism in New Zealand’s systems and offers bold pathways for change. A must-read for scholars, policymakers and anyone committed to justice and equity.’ — Patrick Vakaoti, professor and dean of Te Tumu School of Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies, Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka – University of Otago

ABOUT THE EDITOR

Sereana Naepi (Fijian, Pākehā) is an associate professor in sociology at Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland. With a research focus on equity in higher education, Indigenous research methodologies, and the experiences of Pacific peoples, Māori and early career researchers in academia, she is committed to addressing systemic barriers to success in universities and advocating for institutional change. Her work explores the impact of neoliberalism on education and the need for Indigenous knowledge systems to be recognised within academic spaces. Sereana has co-authored research on decolonising universities and improving pathways for underrepresented scholars. She is a recipient of the Rutherford Discovery Fellowship and Spencer Education grants. Through her scholarship and advocacy, she contributes to rethinking how education serves diverse communities, challenging traditional structures to create more just and inclusive learning environments for future generations.

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Terms and conditions

    1. You must be a GrownUps member and receive our newsletter to be eligible to win.
    2. Competition closes on the 6th August 2025, winners will be notified via email by 7th August 2025.
    3. It is your responsibility to ensure you correctly enter a New Zealand postal address where the prize can be sent. GrownUps will not take responsibility for prizes sent to incorrect addresses.
    4. Winners are drawn at random by the GrownUps administration team.
    5. GrownUps employees and family are not eligible to enter.
    6. By entering the giveaway, you approve for GrownUps to use your name on social media as winner of the competition.
    7. One entry per household.
    8. Prize in non transferrable.
    9. You must reside in New Zealand – the prize can only be redeemed within New Zealand.
    10. You must be over 50 years of age to enter, please check your details are correct in your membership dashboard.