Embracing Lalaga and Talanoa: Weaving Relationality, Respect, and Reciprocity in Pacific Research and Education

Abstract Western knowledge systems are increasingly scrutinised for their colonial roots and their dominance over Indigenous perspectives. In response, Indigenous, First Nations, and Pacific scholars are actively challenging these colonial epistemologies in higher education through research and community engagement, carving out spaces that honour and privilege Indigenous ways of knowing and being. This article focuses on the collaborative research journey of Pacific scholars at a leading New Zealand university. Their efforts culminated in a Pacific Research Showcase, an initiative aimed at exploring and enacting values of relationships, reciprocity, and respect within Pacific research. Grounded in Pacific research methodologies (PRM)-including the talanoa framework, lalaga (weaving) metaphor and a collaborative reflective approach, this study outlines the development of the showcase, emphasising how these values are central to Pacific research and scholarship and its impact with Pacific communities. By highlighting Pacific-led research and fostering collaboration, the showcase legitimises Pacific knowledge systems and advocates for their integration into the broader landscape of educational research and policy.