Ron Crocombe

Ronald Gordon Crocombe (8 October 1929 – 19 June 2009) was a Professor of Pacific Studies at the University of the South Pacific.

His reputation was such that he was described as the "father of Pacific Studies".

Ron Crocombe was born in Auckland, 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 lifelong 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 bachelor's 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 the "father of Pacific Studies".

He mentored many students and academics, and was warmly regarded.

He died in Auckland of a heart attack 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.

In August 2010, a Festschrift conference was held at the University of the South Pacific in Rarotonga to commemorate Crocombe's lifetime work.

Speakers included family and colleagues of Crocombe, including the poet Albert Wendt.

On 13 February 2014, a book was launched as a tribute to Crocombe's life, work and academic impact.

It contains contributions from academics he worked with, taught, and influenced.

The book was edited by his wife, Marjorie Crocombe, and colleagues Rod Dixon and Linda Crowl.

Further reading