Jekope Maiono, a 45-year-old from Cikobia, has recently achieved significant academic success by earning four prestigious degrees from the University of Otago in New Zealand. Maiono, a native Fijian, is an accomplished lecturer at the same university. He moved to New Zealand in 2006 to pursue his athletic career.
While playing for the Rewa team and the Tailevu Knights, he received an invitation to play rugby in New Zealand. However, he has now decided to continue his education due to the proximity of the University of Otago.
Maiono’s academic journey has taken 13 years and includes 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 completed his PhD program and titled his research “50 Years of Independence: Indigenous Perception on Sustainable Land Development in Fiji,” reflecting on the impact of half a century of independence on land use.
He emphasized the importance of revisiting the status of the indigenous population and their views on land utilization after 50 years of freedom. He believes there is a necessity to engage with communities to understand their perspectives on land use after decades of independence.
Maiono chose this research area because there is a significant gap in understanding the effective and sustainable use of land, as existing laws regarding land ownership and utilization are often unclear.
His research addresses two main themes: “land ecology”, which examines the application of traditional land practices, and “political ecology”. Additionally, he plans to conduct research on Cicia, an island known as “Organic Island”, to explore sustainable land use and conservation, ensuring that future generations can also benefit from these practices.
Currently, Maiono is working as a lecturer in business at the University of Otago. He believes that, while discussions on indigenous issues are often overlooked, his research can contribute greatly to the communities involved.
Community members are encouraged to reflect on what they want to see from their lands in the next 50 years, particularly regarding land safety and usage as it pertains to local leadership and governance.