The Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies was founded through a bequest from the late Professor John Macmillan Brown (1846-1935) who was also a founder of the University and spent a great deal of time travelling and studying the Pacific region. The purpose for the centre’s establishment was to “'investigation and research of the history, traditions, customs, laws, and ideas of the peoples of the Pacific generally.” To satisfy this purpose, the main areas of research are the societies and cultures, past and present, of the indigenous peoples of Oceania.
The centre offers both undergraduate and graduate courses in Pacific Studies as well as actively running a weekly seminar program and lecture program which highlight Pacific issues. The website provides links to more details about the history of the centre, its main research initiatives, lecture and seminar programs and course information.
