Political historian leaves lasting imprint

Lauren Smith with the late Dr Alumita Durutalo in New Zealand. Picture: SUPPLIED

By WANSOLWARA STAFF

“She was a kind, funny and generous woman who demonstrated her love for teaching and people. I will miss her dearly and never forget the impact she had on my life.”

Those were the sentiments of Lauren Smith, one of the many people who shared fond memories of Fijian political historian and academic, Dr Alumita Durutalo, who passed away in Dunedin, New Zealand this week.

Condolences flowed in from all over with family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances paying respect to the distinguished Fijian academic who touched the hearts of those she met.

Dr Alumita Durutalo. Picture: SUPPLIED

“Dr Durutalo was a kind, funny and generous woman who I met at the Otago University. After telling her my interest in Fijian language and culture, she jumped at the opportunity to teach me,” Ms Smith said.

“She invited me to come with her family to Fiji for six weeks. She welcomed me into her family like one of her own and have had a continual relationship with them since. I call her my Fiji mum.”

Dr Durutalo was a former history and politics lecturer at The University of the South Pacific and dedicated 16 years to the USP region. She was a lecturer with Te Tumu, School of Maori, Pacific & Indigenous Studies at the University of Otago when she passed away.

Her friends and colleagues at USP’s School of Government, Development and International Affairs, and School of Social Sciences expressed their condolences and shared fond memories of Dr Durutalo.

“Dr Durutalo came from the chiefly family in Namena, Tailevu. She received her Diploma in Education in 1983, her BA degree in history/politics in 1994, and MA degree in Development Studies (1997) from the University of the South Pacific on a Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (SYLLF) scholarship. She undertook PhD studies at the Australian National University on a Fiji Government scholarship. Dr Durutalo obtained her doctorate in political science and international relations in 2006.  Her PhD thesis title was, Of Roots and Offshoots: Fijian Political Thinking, Dissent and the Formation of Political Parties 1960-1999,” they said in a joint statement.

“Before joining USP in 1997, she taught history and social science subjects for over 10 years in Suva Grammar School, Dudley High School and Nasinu High School.  At USP for more than 16 years, she lectured in courses in History/Politics Department, School of Social Sciences and the School of Government, Development and International Affairs. Since 2013, she taught Pacific Studies courses at Otago University’s Te Tumu, School of Maori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies. She was a dedicated teacher and academic for 32 years.

“Adi Dr Durutalo will be sorely missed by her colleagues and friends in Fiji, New Zealand and around the region. May she rest in peace. Our deepest condolences to her children, Adi Vika Durtutalo, Senidamanu Durutalo, Andrew Durutalo and Merewai Durutalo.”

Dr Durutalo’s research interests focused on political parties, elections and democratization in the Pacific Islands state, indigenous leadership and development in the Pacific Islands and indigenous languages, culture and identity among Pacific Islands migrants in the First World.

She was involved in various research collaborations with staff at Otago and USP looking at various issues of importance to Pacific Island peoples including climate change, politics, leadership and governance and human rights.

Dr Durutalo was a board member of several committees including AusAID Research Steering Committee member for the Pacific leadership Programme and the Pacific Theological College Institute for Research and Social Analysis. She was also a commissioner in the Fiji public service from 2006-2009.

Her son, Andrew, was a former national rugby rep and the first Fijian to represent USA in rugby 7s at the 2016 Olympics.