This thesis adopts an analytical approach to Moana research from a “Pacific Studies” perspective, focusing as it does on Moana languages and Moana indigenous knowledge. From this perspective it analyses and discusses the imposition of Western paradigms in Moana research and in Moana language, both historically and currently. 

It argues that Western ideas, concepts and practice are often assumed to be appropriate rather than what they are, that is, a Western imposition, and that this form of imposition is not just to be found in research methodologies, but in the systematic application of Western paradigms to all aspects of understanding Moana cultures, including current understandings of the fuo (“form”), uho (“content”) and ‘aonga (“function”) of Moana languages.