Jon Jonassen

Jonassen was born in Rarotonga and grew up on Rarotonga and Aitutaki.^[3] He was educated at Arorangi School, Ararua School, and Tereora College in the Cook Islands, and Mount Albert Grammar School in New Zealand.^[3] He later attended Brigham Young University–Hawaii, graduating with a BSc in business management and a BA in history and government, as well as studying at the University of the South Pacific.^[3] He later studied at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, graduating with a Master of Arts in Pacific Island Studies in 1992, and a PhD in political science in 1996.^[3]

From 1983 to 1986 he served as the Cook Islands' Secretary of Foreign Affairs.^[4] In 1987 he was appointed director of programmes for the South Pacific Commission,^[5] serving as acting secretary-general in 1989.^[6] In 1991 he returned to the Cook Islands to become secretary of the new Ministry of Cultural Development.^[7]

In 1993 he returned to Brigham Young University–Hawaii as a professor of political science. He took a leave of absence from 1997 to 1999 while he was serving as Cook Islands' high commissioner to New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea.^[4] He returned to BYU-H, where he became director of Pacific Islands studies.^[1] He is currently emeritus professor of political science and Pacific Islands studies.^[4]

Jonassen's work has focused on documenting Cook Islands culture, including traditional songs and chants.^[1] He published his first collection of Cook Islands legends while a university student.^[8] He is also a composer, and has composed more than 500 songs, including Mou Piri, and E Tai Roimata.^[9]

He was made a member of the Order of the British Empire for services to Cook Islands culture and the public service in the 2014 New Year Honours.^[10][11]