Jekope Maiono has made history by becoming the first indigenous Fijian to earn a PhD in four major disciplines from the University of Otago in New Zealand. At 45 years old and hailing from Cikobia, Jekope is a lecturer at the same institution.
He relocated to New Zealand in 2006 to pursue his sporting career and has played for the Rewa team and the Tailevu Knights, which led to him receiving a scholarship to continue his studies in New Zealand.
Currently, he is contemplating returning to the university to further his education, as the University of Otago is located in close proximity to his home. His academic journey has taken him 13 years to attain several distinguished degrees, including a Bachelor of Commerce in Management, a Master of Sustainable Business, a Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences, and a Doctor of Philosophy, focusing on ‘Sustainable Land Development in Fiji.’
In 2020, he launched his PhD program, centering his research on “50 Years of Independence: Indigenous Perception on Sustainable Land Development in Fiji,” which assesses the perspectives of indigenous people regarding land use over fifty years of independence.
His research highlights how much the indigenous population is impacted by land use practices that are often not well-regulated or understood. Jekope aims to emphasize the need for a return to village-level consultations on land use, encouraging discussions on traditional ecological practices and political ecology.
Additionally, he has plans to examine the island of Cicia, which is referred to as an “Organic Island,” to explore sustainable land use practices within that community. His extensive research aims to find ways to protect land resources for future generations.
Currently, Jekope works as a lecturer in a business school at the University of Otago and believes it is essential to address the issues faced by indigenous peoples, shedding light on their ongoing struggles through this research.
He encourages community members to think about how they want their land and communities to function in fifty years, recognizing the importance of governance in land use for future sustainability.