Prominent Tongan academic, Dr Sitiveni Halapua, pioneered the philosophy of Talanoa, notably applying his Talanoa philosophy to regional conflicts, such as that of post-coup Fiji, Solomon Islands tensions and democratic reform in Tonga.

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Sitiveni Halapua was Director of the Pacific Island Development Program in the East-West Centre for over two decades before being elected to Parliament in the Kingdom of Tonga. He is now Director of the Talanoa and Development Project, based in New Zealand.