Abstract
Pacific Island countries are often classified as Small Island Developing States (SIDS) which due to their relatively limited size and remoteness experience unique development challenges and need 'assistance'. This comparative perspective on Pacific Islands gives little attention to local development priorities and internal development challenges. Based on recently completed fieldwork conducted on Ma’uke, Cook Islands, this study critically addresses development theorisation and development practice from a grassroots perspective. Semi‐structured interviews have been used as the main research method. By interviewing local people living on Ma’uke, development priorities from a grassroots perspective are examined. Subsequently, context‐specific challenges to the development of Ma’uke are highlighted. Finally, possible solutions to overcome these challenges are suggested and potential lessons for the development of the wider Pacific Island region are discussed. This work‐in‐progress presentation draws on a literature review, addresses the research process and presents tentative research findings.