NUKU’ALOFA, TONGA / PAPEETE, FRENCH POLYNESIA — 12 June
2026 — In a move that bridges ancestral stewardship with
modern legal innovation, the Moananui Sanctuary Trust has
released two groundbreaking model legislative frameworks for
public consultation. The initiative has been supported by a
petition signed by over 450,000 concerned citizens and
invites communities, cultural leaders, scientists, legal
experts, and policymakers across the Pacific to shape a
paradigm-shifting conversation about the future of whale
protection, legal rights, and ocean
guardianship.
Building upon a rapidly growing
international movement that explores how legal systems can
better recognise the inherent rights of nature, the
frameworks draw direct inspiration from Pacific traditions.
Dr. Mere Takoko, architect of the initiative and author of
He Whakaputanga Moana – Declaration for the Ocean,
explained that these traditions have long recognized whales
as kin, navigators, and vital participants in the ocean’s
web of life.
“For generations, Pacific Peoples have
understood that whales are not separate from us. They are
fellow voyagers who connect islands, ecosystems, and
cultures across the Moananui,” Dr. Takoko stated. She
emphasized that both Indigenous knowledge and modern science
underscore the vital role whales play in maintaining healthy
oceans and supporting climate resilience. By releasing these
drafts, the Trust is inviting a talanoa—an open,
respectful dialogue—about “how our laws and institutions
might better reflect our responsibilities to the living
world and those who will inherit it after us.”
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The
consultation documents, which include the Mafai ‘o e
Tofua’a Climate Bill in Tonga and the Projet de loi
sur le climat Te Mana o Te Tohorā in French Polynesia,
are independent discussion drafts developed over two years.
Collaborators include international legal partners Ocean
Vision Legal (US) and Simmons & Simmons (UK), working
alongside local community leaders. Crucially, these are not
active government bills, but models designed to invite
feedback and ensure local voices dictate future
directions.
This localised approach is vital for
communities directly impacted by these ocean corridors. In
Tonga, Melino Maka, Chair of Huelo Matamoana Trust,
highlighted the opportunity to align future laws with
traditional values. “The Tofua’a have always held a special
place in the hearts and stories of our people,” he noted,
observing that the whales travel the same sea roads that
have connected Pacific islands for generations. Maka urged
participation regardless of whether individuals agree with
every aspect of the framework, stressing that “the future of
our grandchildren and the future of our ocean are profoundly
connected.”
In French Polynesia, the consultation
aligns with a growing regional shift toward Indigenous-led
marine stewardship, such as the recently announced
protections for the Austral and Marquesas Islands. Dr.
Tamatoa Bambridge, President of the Advisory Board of the
Rahui Centre, views the Te Mana o Te Tohorā
framework as a natural extension of traditional systems like
rāhui. “These approaches remind us that conservation
is not only about regulation, but about relationships,
responsibilities, and collective care for future
generations,” Dr. Bambridge said. He added that whether
achieved through community governance or new legal
mechanisms, the ultimate goal is “ensuring that the ocean
remains abundant and alive for those who come after
us.”
Ultimately, the organisers are calling for a
broad spectrum of voices to enter the chat. Rachel Steele,
Huelo Matamoana Trustee and lead coordinator for community
engagement in Tonga, described the drafts as “conversation
starters” rather than finished products. “We want to hear
from community members, fisherfolk, youth, scientists, legal
experts, cultural leaders, [and] government
representatives,” Steele explained, reinforcing that the
priority is creating space for thoughtful consideration of
what formal stewardship must look like moving
forward.
Consultation Portal & Document
Access
Members of the public and global
organizations are actively encouraged to review the
proposals and submit feedback.
Tonga: Read
the Mafai
‘o e Tofua’a Climate Bill
French Polynesia:
Read the Projet
de loi sur le climat Te Mana o Te
Tohorā
Submit Feedback: www.moananuisanctuary.org
Upcoming
Public Consultation Dates
The Moananui
Sanctuary Trust is thrilled to announce the public
consultation dates for the Te Mana o Te
Tohorā framework in Tahiti and the
wider Society Islands, taking place during the Āvei Moana
Expedition. Dates for Tonga will be released
soon.
Papeete | Aug 10
Moorea | Aug
12
Huahine | Aug 14
Raiatea | Aug 17
Bora
Bora | Aug 18
Maupiti | Aug
19
