Ron Crocombe
Encyclopedia
Ronald Gordon Crocombe was a Professor
of Pacific Studies at the University of the South Pacific
.
, New Zealand
, and was raised in Piopio
in the King Country
, before attending Otahuhu College
in Auckland. He later completed a degree from Auckland University. Ron went to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands as Clerk of Works for the New Zealand colonial Government's Public Works Department in 1950. In 1957 he became the Resident Agent "Akavanui" or head of local government on the island of Atiu. There he formed a life long association with the people of Atiu including the high chief Rongomatane who named one of his sons in honour of their friendship.
He started university studies by extension in Rarotonga and went on to complete a Bachelors degree from Auckland University, then completed an MA from Victoria University of Wellington
, and a PhD in history at the Australian National University
(ANU) in 1961. His work on land use and tenure in Cook Island society was considered groundbreaking at the time and is still used as a standard text in South Pacific land tenure studies.
Ron Crocombe lived in Papua New Guinea
between 1962 and 1969, as Director of the ANU's New Guinea Research Unit based in Port Moresby, and then went to the newly established University of the South Pacific where he was Professor of Pacific Studies for 20 years. He was made Emeritus Professor in 1989.
During his time as the Director of the Institute of Pacific Studies at the University of the South Pacific, Ron Crocombe focused on publishing the works of Pacific Islanders by proactively encouraging Pacific Islanders by whatever means he could. He developed the approach of publishing books on important topics with chapters written by as many as twenty different authors as a way to encourage the rapid growth in confidence and publications of as many Pacific Islanders authors and academics as possible. Over 1,700 Pacific Island authors were published by the Institute of Pacific Studies.
In the week before his death he had been inducted as a fellow of the Atenisi University
in Tonga. His reputation was such that he was described as a "father of Pacific Studies". He mentored many students and academics, and was warmly regarded.
on 19 June 2009 while returning to his home in Rarotonga
. His wife and lifetime academic collaborator was Marjorie Tuainekore Crocombe, who had been Director of Extension Services at the University of the South Pacific and lately Director of the Centre for Pacific Studies at the University of Auckland
. Crocombe was also survived by four children, 14 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. The Cook Islands Parliament was adjourned for his funeral in Rarotonga.
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of Pacific Studies at the University of the South Pacific
University of the South Pacific
The University of the South Pacific is a public university with a number of locations spread throughout a dozen countries in Oceania. It is an international centre for teaching and research on Pacific culture and environment. USP's academic programmes are recognised worldwide, attracting students...
.
Biography
Ron Crocombe was born in AucklandAuckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, and was raised in Piopio
Piopio
Piopio may refer to the following:* Piopio , a genus of extinct birds from New Zealand that contains two species**North Island Piopio**South Island Piopio*Piopio, New Zealand, a town in the Waitomo District in the North Island of New Zealand...
in the King Country
King Country
The King Country is a region of the western North Island of New Zealand. It extends approximately from the Kawhia Harbour and the town of Otorohanga in the north to the upper reaches of the Whanganui River in the south, and from the Hauhungaroa and Rangitoto Ranges in the east to near the Tasman...
, before attending Otahuhu College
Otahuhu College
Otahuhu College is a secondary school in Auckland, New Zealand for students years 9 to 13.-Location:It is located in the suburb of Otahuhu and is a co-educational school. The school is built in a gully on the southern side of Mangere Road...
in Auckland. He later completed a degree from Auckland University. Ron went to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands as Clerk of Works for the New Zealand colonial Government's Public Works Department in 1950. In 1957 he became the Resident Agent "Akavanui" or head of local government on the island of Atiu. There he formed a life long association with the people of Atiu including the high chief Rongomatane who named one of his sons in honour of their friendship.
He started university studies by extension in Rarotonga and went on to complete a Bachelors degree from Auckland University, then completed an MA from Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington was established in 1897 by Act of Parliament, and was a former constituent college of the University of New Zealand. It is particularly well known for its programmes in law, the humanities, and some scientific disciplines, but offers a broad range of other courses...
, and a PhD in history at the Australian National University
Australian National University
The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
(ANU) in 1961. His work on land use and tenure in Cook Island society was considered groundbreaking at the time and is still used as a standard text in South Pacific land tenure studies.
Ron Crocombe lived in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
between 1962 and 1969, as Director of the ANU's New Guinea Research Unit based in Port Moresby, and then went to the newly established University of the South Pacific where he was Professor of Pacific Studies for 20 years. He was made Emeritus Professor in 1989.
During his time as the Director of the Institute of Pacific Studies at the University of the South Pacific, Ron Crocombe focused on publishing the works of Pacific Islanders by proactively encouraging Pacific Islanders by whatever means he could. He developed the approach of publishing books on important topics with chapters written by as many as twenty different authors as a way to encourage the rapid growth in confidence and publications of as many Pacific Islanders authors and academics as possible. Over 1,700 Pacific Island authors were published by the Institute of Pacific Studies.
In the week before his death he had been inducted as a fellow of the Atenisi University
Atenisi University
ʻAtenisi University is the only university in Tonga and it was established in August 1975 by Professor Futa Helu. It is part of the [[ʻAtenisi Institute]]....
in Tonga. His reputation was such that he was described as a "father of Pacific Studies". He mentored many students and academics, and was warmly regarded.
Death
He died in Auckland of a heart attackMyocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
on 19 June 2009 while returning to his home in Rarotonga
Rarotonga
Rarotonga is the most populous island of the Cook Islands, with a population of 14,153 , out of the country's total population of 19,569.The Cook Islands' Parliament buildings and international airport are on Rarotonga...
. His wife and lifetime academic collaborator was Marjorie Tuainekore Crocombe, who had been Director of Extension Services at the University of the South Pacific and lately Director of the Centre for Pacific Studies at the University of Auckland
University of Auckland
The University of Auckland is a university located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the largest university in the country and the highest ranked in the 2011 QS World University Rankings, having been ranked worldwide...
. Crocombe was also survived by four children, 14 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. The Cook Islands Parliament was adjourned for his funeral in Rarotonga.
Books
- Crocombe R.G. 1958. The Cook Islands. Wellington: Government Printer.
- Crocombe R.G., M.T. Crocombe (eds.). 1968. The Works of Ta'unga: Records of a Polynesian Traveller in the Southern Seas, 1833-1896. Canberra: Australian National University Press ; Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press.
- Crocombe R.G. 1968. Improving land tenure : a survey of the problems of adapting customary land tenure systems to modern economic conditions in the region served by the South Pacific Commission. Nouméa: South Pacific Commission.
- Crocombe R.G. 1971. Land tenure in the Pacific. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195503163.
- Crocombe R.G., A. Ali (eds.). 1983. Foreign forces in Pacific politics. Suva: University of the South Pacific.
- Patel K., R.G. Crocombe, P. Hereniko (eds.). 1985. Tahiti: The Other Side. Suva: University of the South Pacific.
- Crocombe R.G. (ed.) 1988. Pacific universities: achievements, problems, prospects. Suva: University of the South Pacific.
- Bartlett A., P. Larmour, R.G. Crocombe. 1981. Land, People and Government: Public Lands Policy in the South Pacific. Suva: University of South Pacific.
- Acquaye B., R.G. Crocombe (eds.). 1984. Land tenure and rural productivity in the Pacific Islands. Suva: University of the South Pacific.
- Pollock N.J., R.G. Crocombe (eds.). 1988. French Polynesia : a book of selected readings. Suva: University of the South Pacific. ISBN 9820200326.
- Crocombe R.G. 1990. Voluntary service and development in the Cook Islands. Rarotonga: University of the South Pacific. ISBN 982-02-0023-7.
- Crocombe M.T., R.G Crocombe, K. Kauraka, M. Tongia (eds.). 1992. Te rau maire: poems and stories of the Pacific. Rarotonga: Tauranga Vananga. ISBN 982-2200056.
- Crocombe R.G. and E. Tuza. 1992. Independence, dependence, interdependence : the first 10 years of Solomon Islands independence. Honiara: University of the South Pacific Honiara Centre. ISBN 982-02-0194-2.
- Crocombe R.G. 1992. Pacific Neighbours: New Zealand's Relations With Other Pacific Islands. Christchurch: University of Canterbury ; Suva: University of the South Pacific. ISBN 982-02-0078-4.
- Crocombe R.G., M.T. Crocombe. 1994. Post secondary education in the South Pacific: present patterns and future options. London: Commonwealth Secretariat. ISBN 0850923999.
- Crocombe R.G. 1995. The Pacific Islands and the USA. Rarotonga: University of the South Pacific ; Honolulu: East-West Center. ISBN 982-02-0116-0.
- Crocombe R.G., M.T. Crocombe (eds.). 2002. Akono'anga Maori: Cook Islands culture. Suva: University of the South Pacific. ISBN 982-02-0348-1.
- Nedeljkovic M., R.G. Crocombe. 2003. Terre et territoires: défis et évolutions dans les pays du Pacifique. Paris: Harmattan. ISBN 2747544222.
- Crocombe R.G. 2007. Asia in the Pacific Islands: Replacing the West. Suva: University of the South Pacific. ISBN 9820203880.
- Crocombe R.G. 2008. The South Pacific. 7th edition. Suva: University of the South Pacific. ISBN 982-02-0154-3.
External links
- Obituary:Papa Ron (Cook Islands News - Saturday, June 20 2009)
- http://www.cookislandsnews.com/2009/June/Wed24/PapaRon.htm