Pacific Islander earns English doctorate

Selina Marsh is the first Pacific Islander to gain a PhD in English from Auckland University. Picture / Greg Bowker

Selina Marsh always wanted to be a vet, but after fainting while watching an operation on a cat she realised she would have to come up with a new plan.

Always an avid reader, Mrs Marsh began studying literature.

This week, after eight years of study, she will become the first Pacific Islander to graduate with a PhD in English from the University of Auckland.

"It's incredible. I don't know how it's happened," said the 34-year-old.

Even more incredible is that there's no academic heritage in Dr Marsh's mixed Samoan and Pakeha family background. And she's juggled her study with raising her three children and two of their cousins who live in the nine-member family home on Waiheke Island.

"It's a full and happy household - as is the way if you're an Islander."

Dr Marsh is understandably proud of her achievement, but she is also acutely aware of the significance.

She said that as her study progressed through bachelors, masters and eventually to the doctorate, "the brown faces slowly dropped away".

There were no role models or English courses in subjects that appealed to her.

"I realised there was no one at that level to create those courses so it has been hugely exciting to forge a new curriculum this year."

Dr Marsh works part-time at the university teaching masters-level Pacific women's literature.

Her own PhD was an investigation of the "foremothers" of a little-known genre - the first-generation Pacific Island women poets publishing work in English, including Jully Makini, Grace Mera Molisa and Momoe Malietoa Von Reiche.

Dr Marsh said much of the creative literary and related work from the Islands today was largely thanks to these women.

But they had been "a footnote" until now.

"This is offering a different face to academia and providing what I wish I had had in the department."

Dr Marsh is one of 4857 students graduating at 11 capping ceremonies in Auckland this week. Between them, they will receive 5426 qualifications.

Almost half of those graduating are European/Pakeha and more than a third are Asian. Maori and Pacific Island graduates make up just 4.2 per cent each of the total.

Ceremonies will take place in the Auckland Town Hall all week, following the time-honoured marches of graduands up Queen St.