JOHN Taukave bridges heritage and international diplomacy, protecting culture while helping guide progress for the Pacific in some of the world’s most critical negotiations.
John is a technical advisor, maritime research and cultural protocol ambassador for the 6PAC+ delegations at the International Maritime Organization, the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping He is also a performing artist advocate on cultural and climate justice.
In the often-complex arena of global shipping negotiations, he works to ensure that Pacific voices are not only heard but understood.
As a technical advisor, John assists in translating high-level greenhouse gas (GHG) negotiations into the language of his people and as a cultural ambassador, he brings the mana of Oceania into the plenary, reminding delegates of their responsibility to uphold the moral high ground of 1.5 degrees – advocating for a just and equitable transition toward a decarbonised maritime shipping sector.
He said their constant leadership in the space has focused on participation and outreach in good faith, as well as bringing more humanity to the real lived experiences of survival from communities.
Currently, John is continuing his PhD research on ‘Oceania Imaginaries’ at the University of Amsterdam, where he is also a teaching mentor. He is expanding his “Storyliving” methodology, inspired by Oceania narratives within the IMO space.
Upbringing
John is the son of the late Samuela Taukave Senior and Violet Taukave of Ituti’u and Malha’a, Rotuma.
Before making an impact across the world, he was raised in a humble home alongside his extended family in Vatuwaqa.
“Having visited Rotuma growing up, I always felt a connection to the ocean – where traditions connected with a changing climate, a ‘storyliving’ reality that later shaped my life,” he said.
Finding his Calling
John was first introduced to the IMO space by a mentor and close friend, Feiloakitau Tevi.
That introduction allowed him to observe, adjust and learn the intricacies of international maritime diplomacy.
“After much time of personal reflection, learning and navigating, I found my way as a cultural ambassador and technical advisor because I realised that culture, identity and international diplomacy in maritime shipping were very much connected and needed.
“That ‘technical’ IMO language with carbon initiatives and fuel standards missed the soul of the very people and communities it most affected.
“I was also inspired by aeolian and wind propulsion technology with its connectedness to our ancestral voyaging and navigation, used for millennia and once again, recognised as our greatest ally in the turmoil of decarbonisation.”
The Obama Foundation
John is a cohort of the Obama Foundation Asia-Pacific Leaders Program.
He describes the program as a catalyst in his journey.
“It (the program) gave me a perspective from being a lone voice to being part of a family of leaders across Oceania and Asia.
“It continues to emphasise and teach me that our Indigenous leadership and relationship to our hanua is a reciprocative and sustainable form of governance.
“It changed my life by giving me the platform to articulate “Oceanic Imaginaries” to the world with a profound understanding of the very foundations of leadership.”
Among the defining moments of the program was a brief virtual conversation with the 44th US President, Barack Obama, where John spoke about the global importance of storytelling as a representative of his cohort and Oceania.
An impactful experience for John.
“Secondly, was the moment in one of our sessions where I realised that my own health was also key as my work for the community. That my work for Oceania cannot be given my 100 per cent if I cannot look after my own health.”
Carrying Rotuma and Fiji Forward
On being part of the program and being from Fiji, John said Rotuma and Vatuwaqa are both his homes.
“Both can be considered as either a small island or a little developing suburb in Suva within a mangrove swamp but as I have learned on my journey from foundational scholar in Pacific Island Studies, Epeli Hau’ofa ‘we are not small, little or tiny’.
“Being a Rotuman leader in the Obama program feels like carrying the weight and the beauty of my life’s experiences as a Rotuman from Oceania navigating his way through academia, creative industry and international diplomacy. It was an opportunity to prove that the most ‘remote’ places could hold the most central solutions.”
On what the program has taught him, John said he has learned that dialogue is not just about reaching an agreement, but about building a relationship based on mutual trust, moral ethics and good faith, even when there are tensions and conflicts.
“It also taught me that to lead is to serve my community which includes the knowledge and wisdom of God and my ancestors.”
Looking ahead
John hopes to continue interweaving indigenous knowledge in performance, ceremony and practice into the strategic vision of Oceania within GHG negotiations at the IMO.
“I also hope to advocate for courses here in Pacific Islands Studies building a portfolio with the community here bridging into further studies of Pacific diplomacy to the hubs of Pacific Islands Studies either at the University of the South Pacific, ANU in Canberra, Hawai’i and Aotearoa. Slowly but steadily.”
When the technical and academic world becomes overwhelming, John returns to his roots as a performing artist, seeking creative reflection — whether through a kava session with the Pacific community in Europe or by spending time near any body of water to swim or simply unwind.
“I also love to travel, see new places and learn their histories, and when I can, I return to Oceania to spend time with my family and community in Fiji and Rotuma as well as my brother and his family in Australia.
“I also return back especially to the ocean, reminding myself exactly what I am fighting for family, community and the ocean!”
John is a technical advisor, maritime research and cultural protocol ambassador for the 6PAC+ delegations at the International Maritime Organization and a performing artist advocate on cultural and climate justice. Picture: SUPPLIED
But when the technical and academic world gets too loud, John likes to return to his roots as a performing artist looking for some creative reflection time and that means a kava session with the Pacific community in Europe. Picture: SUPPLIED
As a technical advisor, John assists in translating high-level greenhouse gas (GHG) negotiations into the language of his people and as a cultural ambassador, he brings the mana of Oceania into the plenary. Picture: SUPPLIED
