PAC Migration, Immanent and Intentional Development

Reflecting on the above discussion and the research results and data analysis in Chapter 5, long-term migration of Tuvaluans to New Zealand through the PAC scheme demonstrates evidence of both immanent and intentional types of development. Historically, the economic growth and development of individual countries, followed by the spread of capitalism, has spontaneously initiated the emigration of various peoples around the globe (Cowen & Shenton, 1995). This is evident in the increasing number of people migrating from less developed countries to more advanced nations, and illustrated in migration from small Pacific Island communities to larger, more developed countries located at the periphery of the Pacific region (Maiava & King, 2007; Mohanty, 2006).

In the case of Tuvalu, several issues have triggered migration to New Zealand as well as other countries in the Pacific region. These include a lack of employment opportunity, as outlined in Chapter 3; families’ aspirations for a better life and a brighter future for their children; potential sea level rise, as detailed in Chapter 5; and the availability of realistic migration opportunities. Results from this study reveal that aspirations for a

108 better life for one’s family – especially the children – unconsciously drive Tuvaluans to apply to New Zealand’s PAC scheme and, when their applications are successful, to migrate. As discussed in Chapter 5, once individual family members have migrated, contacts with remaining families in Tuvalu remain strong, as do their contributions to grassroots developments, through either island community or church development projects.

Permanent migration of Tuvaluans to New Zealand under the PAC scheme can also be considered as an example of an intentional type of development. As discussed in Chapter 3, given Tuvalu’s geographic constraints, including small size, isolation from world markets, limited natural resources and narrow prospects for economic growth, the Tuvalu government consistently seeks migration opportunities for its people from more developed neighbours. Through close and active political networking with development partners such as New Zealand, Tuvalu has negotiated for short- and long-term migration opportunities. The New Zealand government on the other hand, had different priorities when first initiating its PAC scheme. As shown in Chapter 3 the PAC scheme was initially set up to reflect New Zealand’s long-term commitment and connection with Pacific countries. Nonetheless, even keeping their own countries’ interests in mind, both governments have taken action to initiate policies that attract the migration of Tuvaluans to New Zealand through the PAC scheme.

Intentional development policies in migration have potential implications as well. As briefly discussed in Chapter 5, the Tuvaluan government is aware it risks losing its skilled labour force if there are abundant migration opportunities available and has undertaken to design development policies that mitigate this risk while encouraging migration. The passing of Tuvalu’s dual citizenship bill in early 2007 offered concrete evidence of the government’s readiness to recognise the significance of migrant contributions to national development. However, the government also sees beyond just the monetary gains from remittances, to acknowledge the worth of skills and experience gained by migrants through working and living abroad. This exposure to working environments in developed countries can potentially yield great benefits to Tuvalu through return and circular migration.

109 Additionally, the sociocultural contributions made by migrants at the grassroots level, as discussed in Chapter 2, are consider equally important to financial remittances. Noted in Chapter 5, the use of Tuvaluan expatriates for the first time, during Tuvalu’s largest development planning forum in 2005, the National Summit for Sustainable Development (NSSD), indicated a change in the government’s development policy towards recognition of the important contributions migrants offer to national development. The different approaches used by the government illustrate the significant role it plays in ensuring enhancement to the welfare of its people. This role is in corresponds with the idea of trusteeship, meaning an agency entrusted with acting on behalf of another, that is closely linked with intentional development (Cowen & Shenton, 1995).

In summary, the government of Tuvalu continues to play an important role in the nation’s development through the appropriate promotion of migration. People may spontaneously act to seize opportunities available to them for enhancing the welfare of their families by accessing prospects abroad through emigration. This is an example of immanent development. However, the government of Tuvalu, acting as the ‘trustee’ for all Tuvaluans, intervenes at different stages of development to implement policies that encourage migration and at the same time maintain a skilled labour force at home to enable continuous operation of its own development process. Overall, the migration of Tuvaluans to New Zealand through the PAC scheme, depicts both immanent and intentional types of development occurring side by side.

The subsequent section will provide answers to one of the thesis objectives. That is, to identify whether climate change influences the migration of Tuvaluans under the PAC scheme. Being a Tuvaluan myself, this holds personal meaning to me, as it will also address my own uncertainty about whether Tuvaluans believe this issue of climate change is a major deciding factor in their long-term migration.

110