Jon Tikivanotau Michael Jonassen (born 24 July 1949)[1] is a Cook Islands civil servant, diplomat, composer, and political scientist. From 1997 — 1999 he was the Cook Islands' High Commissioner to New Zealand.
Jonassen was born in Rarotonga and grew up on Rarotonga and Aitutaki.[2] He was educated at Arorangi School, Ararua School, and Tereora College in the Cook Islands, and Mount Albert Grammar School in New Zealand.[2] 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.[2] 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.[2]
From 1983 to 1986 he served as the Cook Islands' Secretary of Foreign Affairs.[3] In 1987 he was appointed Director of Programmes for the South Pacific Commission,[4] serving as acting secretary-General in 1989.[5] In 1991 he returned to the Cook Islands to become secretary of the new Ministry of Cultural Development.[6]
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.[3] 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.[3]
Jonassen's work has focused on document Cook Islands culture, including traditional songs and chants.[1] He published his first collection of Cook Islands legends while a university student.[7] He is also a composer, and has composed more than 500 songs, including Mou Piri, and E Tai Roimata.[8]
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.[9]