Nation/The Oan Isles

Realm of the Oan Isles
Realm of the Oan Isles Kōa
	Motto: "Haere a mutu" ("Continue Regardless")
	Anthem: u Oa u makaaki u Rangitanga-ta-i-Moana ("God bless the Emperor")
Region	The East Pacific
Capital	La Rochelle (Tokapa)
Largest city	Port of the Rock (Kokoru)
Official languages	Oan language (Reōa)
Ethnic groups	Oan (majority) and other Polynesian peoples
Demonym	Oan
Government	Constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy
Legislature	National Assembly
Establishment
Area
Population
GDP (nominal)	2017 estimate
Gini (2017)	39.5; medium
HDI (2017)	0.835; very high
Currency	Oan Dollar (OAD)
Time zone	+11
Date format	yyyy/mm/dd
Drives on the	left
Calling code	+1275
ISO 3166 code	OAN
Internet TLD	.oan
a.	Excludes the Kōhatu Isles

This page is a work in progress by its author(s) and should not be considered final.

The Realm of the Oan Isles (Reōa: i Rohe ta i Kōa) is an island nation in the south Pacific Ocean. Lazlowia lies to the west. The country has an area of approximately 44,150km². It has a warm, humid and rainy climate. It has many forests and mountains. The first humans inhabited the island approximately 2,000 years ago. They were united by Ahua I 800 years ago.

The largest city is the Port of the Rock (Reōa: Kokoru): the biggest port in the land. It is followed by the capital, La Rochelle (Reōa: Tokapa), a major financial and cultural centre. The total population is approximately 8.6 million people. The official and most spoken language is Reōa. The largest ethnic group is the Oan nation (Reōa: Iwi Oa). The largest religion is the Polynesian branch of the Evangelical Protestant tradition of the Christian religion.

The country is a developed one. It has a Pacitalian Development and Advancement System rating of A. It has a GDP (nominal) of 340 billion kiribs. It is led by services such as banking and information technology. It had exports of 62 billion kiribs. The biggest export goods are high tech products and fish. Although the Auroran-Pacific War had a negative effect on the economy, the HDI remains high, poverty and unemployment remain low and inflation and growth remain moderate. Its strongest trade, diplomatic and military allies are the Morstaybishlian Empire and Kuthernburg

The country is regarded as a great power in international politics. The National Defence Service forms the military of the Oan Isles. It has a budget of 11.5 billion kiribs and an active manpower of 86,100 personnel, and 30 commissioned vessels among which is a light aircraft carrier. The country is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. The Emperor (Reōa: Rangitanga-ta-i-Moana) is the ceremonial head of state.

History

Latianburg Insurgency

On April 1, 2017, the Oan Isles requested a purchase of military hardware from Stratarin. In April 2017, a group of terrorists launched an insurgency in Latianburg. Cafe Net, an Oan internet service provider had begun operations in the country. Soldiers from the Oan armed forced were sent to protect the facility. Unfortunately, in spite of their best efforts, Niana Takatunuye (the head of the branch and the sister of the CEO of Cafe Net) was captured by a terrorist called Muttar Mimahid.

On 23 April she was rescued from the Al Jaheed. Furnifoldian soldiers managed to find the Al Jaheed cell, locate and extract Miss Takatunuye. Muttar Mimahid was captured by the Kuthernburg forces. The Oan Isles joined the Peacekeeping Forces of Urth as a result of the events Latianburg. Adam Bly of the Furnifold Times criticised the Oan Isles for using the organisation to advance its interests and promote its will. Mauia Uweleye followed up with his own article, criticising the Oan government. On 26 April 2017, the request for military hardware from Stratarin was approved and the hardware was delivered.

On 18 May 2017, the Oan Isles reaffirmed relations with Latianburg and Kuthernburg. Oan companies were granted lucrative contracts to operate in those nations especially in telecommunications and information technology, aid was exchange and general ties were improved.

Auroran-Pacific War

In 26 May 2017, the Al Jaheed attacked Yor and hacked Cafe Net servers in La Rochelle. They virtually shut down the Cafe Net system for much of the world. The scope and impact of the attack led to general alarm about the Al Jaheed's technical expertise, resources and ability to inflict serious damage on Oan interest. On the same day, the Al Jaheed bombed a part of the National Security Service headquarters. Although the damage was quickly repaired, it led to a desire to engage more aggressively with the Al Jaheed.

On May 27, 2017, Rangitanga, Ehe, received the Blue Medal from Kuthernburg on behalf of the brave actions of the Oan armed forces.

This attack was particularly damaging because it damaged the Oan Isles voting infrastructure. The Oan Isles had been a direct democracy that had used an online application to give everyone in the nation the power to vote over laws. The terrorist who conducted the attack was arrested. It was Muttar Mimahid. This attack deeply hurt the nation, but led it to support the former Rangitanga, Ehe I (known as Ese Ulua to non-Oans).

A state of emergency was declared and he was granted sweeping powers to deal with the threat that Al Jaheed posed. On 28 May 2017, Stephen Realua, the former Ambassador of the Oan Isles to the Auroran Continental Assembly, submitted a report to the ACA outlining the threat that Al Jaheed post and the assertive response that was needed to deal with it, and criticised the ACA for failing to act effectively on the matter. On behalf of the Rangitanga, he declared that the Oan Isles would invade the Yor Isles where the Al Jaheed was apparently located and operating from.

On 29 May 2017, Lambertus VII, the High King of Stratarin called a meeting of countries to discuss a coup in Xagrurg in which the legitimate government was overthrown, and the fascist alliance its leaders formed with Ethalria that threatened the stability of the continent. This group became known as the Allies. Viktor Drugov, the leader of Stratarin, was nearly assasinated at the meeting on June 4, 2017.

Rurin Lukin, his deputy, was killed along with others in the Stratarin line of succession. Mikhail Starikov took on the position. The Oans, and others were suspicious of his and likened the take over to a coup. Rangitanga Ehe I was a vocal critic of the South East Pacific Coalition and believed that it ought to be disbanded, but there was fear that Starikov would use a war to achieve that.

On June 8, 2017, assassins from Ethalria killed Thadeus, King of Horales and Crown Prince of Staynes. The attack sent shockwaves throughout the world and further fixed Oan resolve against the Axis powers. The Axis powers was an alliance made up of Xagrurg, Ethalria and Stratarin, against whom the Allies, of whom the Oan Isles was a part, fought. On June 10, the Oan Isles sent a request to the Staynish government to invade Xagrurg and humanitarian and military aid was sent to Kostoria Obertonia in preparation for a Xagrurgian invasion. On June 11, Caltharus invaded Ethalria.

The Oans undertook a diplomatic assault on Stratarin to isolate and weaken them. On June 12, 2017, the Oan Isles imposed sanctions on Stratarin. When asked for reasons for this action, the Oan Isles cited the alleged coup d'etat, renegation of SEPC laws and other reasons, and imposed further conditions on Stratarin. These were deflected by the Stratarians. The diplomatic tensions culminated in the resignation of Fyodr Lyvov, Minister for Foreign Affairs for Stratarin two days later. Tretrid supported the Oan demands.

On June 18, 2017, Ehe I (also known as Ese Ulua) called the leaders of four Atlantian countries to a meeting in La Rochelle to ask for assistance for the war. Mister Leader II of Mexregiona, Bartholomew Smith of Tretrid, King Calvin I of the Atlae Isles and Queen Naomi II of Kuthernburg attended and resolved to lend help. Monoherra Markka IV of Asian Pacific Islands attended as an observer.

Another war erupted in Atlantia when various rogue states and former members of the Atlae Isles attempted to cede from the country and join sides with the Axis powers. Only Kuthernburg was eventually able to lend a hand. On 24 June, 2017, an Oan task force was sent from Karaihe (known to foreigners as Crystal City) to assist Kostoria-Obertonia. On the next day, a troops were flown into North Yor as part of an assault to reclaim the islands for the Xagrurgian Republic.

On June 29, 2017, the Oan soldiers took the Rob Matterson Military Hospital in the capital of the Yor Isles. On June 30, 2017, Kuthern and Oan forces failed to take an airbase. On July 10, 2017, a part of the capital city of Yor was successfully taken. On July 11, 2017, the Oans had failed to take a powerplant and 80 soldierd were killed. This caused a great political stir in the Oan Isles. On 15 July, during the Coronation of the Asendavian Kaiser, Rangitaga Oaloanu, spoke to Erwin Pipua, and they agreed to end the war. On July 16, the Kutherns began the process to declare a ceasefire. On the same day Oan soldiers were evacuated out the area. Of the 7,000 soldiers deployed there, 700 men were killed.

On July 17, 2016, a commission of inquiry was set up to investigate Oan involvement in the war. It mostly cleared the Oan government of guilt. On 20 July 2017, Mauia Uweleye submitted a petition for a referendum on the autonomy of the Noan Isles (also known as Konoa in the Oan language).

On August 3, propaganda pamphlets were dropped in Kostoria Obertonia and Xagrurg, encourage dissent against the Greater Xagrurgian Imperial government. Aid was sebt to Yor the next day which was in fact hidden drones. On 5 August 2017 Oan/Kuthern drones attacked three Xagrurgian cities. On 6 August 2017, the referendum was held and autonomy for the Noan Isles (Konoa) was overwhelmingly approved. On the same day, the Oan navy began fighting the remnants of the Xagrurgian navy.

On August 7 2017, the Oan navy sank all but two Xagrurgian ships. On 9 August 2017, a boy was arrested in Asian Pacific Islands for treason. This sparked protests. Prince Oaloanu was sent to mediate. On same day, the Oans blockaded Yor and attacked Nuremkastel in Kostoria Obertonia.

Konoan Autonomy

On 14 August 2017, the deputy head of the Portfolio on Finance and the Economy published a gloomy report on the Oan economy. On the whole, it was expected to and did, indeed, shrink. On August 15, 2017, a law was passed that formally put Noan autonomy into practice.

On 16 August 2017, the state of emergency that had given Ehe I and his son Oaloanu sweeping powers since April 2017 was ended. On August 25, 2017, the Noan Territorial Government passed its fundamental law. On 30 August 2017, elections were held for the Noan Territorial Assembly. The Konoan People's Party, led by Maui Uye-Ahua, won resoundingly. On 31 August 2017, was appointed the Leader of the Noan Territorial Government.

Union of the Crowns of the Asian Pacific Islands and the Oan Isles

On 2 September 2017, the Noan, Oan and Islander leaders met in Sanglong to sign a treaty that would unite the crowns of the Oan Isles and the Asian Pacific Islands. On September 5, 2017, the Treaty was signed. On 6 September 2017, the Rangitanga, Oaloanu, became the head of state of both the Oan Isles and the Asian Pacific Islands.

Cyclone Mable

On September 7, 2017, Cyclone Mable swept through the country's south, causing fairly subdued damage. On 13 September 2017, the Oan Isles left the Auroran Continental Assembly. On September 19, 2017, the Oan Isles and other members held a conference

Geography

Oan Isles is located on the planet Urth on the eastern end of the Pacific Ocean. It lies between 140°E and 155°E, and between 5°S and 15°S. It is an island nation. The country is made up of approximately 33 islands. It shares a land border with the Staynish Pacific Territory on one of its islands. Lazlowia lies to the west, and the Staynish Pacific Territory lies to the west and north. Oan Isles has an area of 44,159 square kilometres which is also 17,246 square miles.

Oan Isles has an average height above sea level of 50 metres. The lowest point is sea level. The height here is 0 metres above sea level. The heighest point is Karaka Mountain. Most islands are topographically similar. The largest body of fresh water is Matomato Lake. It has a surface area of 340km². The longest river is the Nakahi River. It is 200 kilometres long. The biggest island is Toka Island.

Oan Isles was formed millions of years ago from movement in the Urth's tectonic plates particularly the Pacific and Yasteria Major tectonic plates. The mineral composition of the island reflects this process. Most of the islands are geologically similar due to the uniformity of the process by which they were formed. Most of the rock is sedimentary rock. Over millions of years, layers of sediment formed and hardened into rock. Kōa has generally fertile soil. Various minerals are present in the ground, particularly iron, copper, nickel and aluminium.

Biodiversity

The Oan Isles has a large amount of animal, plant and fungal species. Some of these are only found on Oan Isles. There are rainforests, wetlands, sand dune islands, pseudo-alpine and thicket biomes. The biodiversity of Oan Isles faces many challenges. Deforestation for housing and farmland threatens forests and the organisms that live in them. Pollution from industries also poses a risk to the organisms. Kōa is very close to the equator. It is often very humid, rainy and hot. Vegetation thrives under these conditions. Most of the country is covered by rainforests. There are numerous tree ferns such as Ponga (or silver fern), Mamaku or Tuakura. There are numerous conifers such as Kauri, Kahikatea and Manoao. There are numerous flowering trees such as Akeake, Kanono and Hīnau.

There are many birds. Birds are the dominant non-human warm blooded animals. There are flightless birds such as kiwi, cassowary and the moa. There are numerous flying birds such as Haast's eagle, tropicbirds, toroa (or albatross), Wikipedia:Takapu (a type of gannet), Karuhiruhi (a type of cormorant), Putangitangi (a type of duck), ibis, spoonbill, Torea (a type of oystercatcher), pheasant, Tuturuatu (a type of plover) and Weka (a type of crake). There are numerous reptiles and amphibians. There are reptiles such as tuatara, Oligosoma (skinks such as aorangi, kakahu, tatahi, small eared, small-scaled, spotted, shore, green and moko) and geckos (almost all of which are viviparous such as kawekaweau, takitimu, green, jewelled, common, forest and black eyed). There are numerous frogs of the Leiopelma genus such as the hamiltoni, horchstetteri, pakeka and waitomo. There are few indigenous terrestrial mammals and these are the kurī dog, kiore rat, and three types of bats: short-tailed, lesser short-tailed and long-tailed. Almost all other mammals are domestic animals.

There are many marine animals. There warm blooded animals such as whales, dolphins and porpoises. There are many types of crabs, lobster, shrimp and prawns. There are many types of rays. There are many types of Moray eels. There are many types of salt water fish such as herring, haddock, pilchards, hake, tuna, sailfish, and angelfish. There are many types of freshwater fish such as elephantnose, pufferfish, catfish, butterflyfish, bushfish, mudfish and lungfish.

Climate

Oan Isles has a monsoon jungle climate. It rains for much of the year. It is humid. It is generally warm. This stems from its proximity to the Aequator. It is classified as a tropical monsoon jungle climate. Precipitation averages above 60mm, although it is higher in the monsoon season and lower in the drier months of the year. Extreme weather is not uncommon. Cyclones sometimes occur. For example, Cyclone Mable tore through the area in 2017, causing damage to infrastructure and death to livestock.

Politics

Main Article: Politics of the Oan Isles

Oaloanu, the Emperor of Polynesia

The politics of the Oan Isles take place in the framework of a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy. The Constitution of the Oan Isles forms the constituting document. It established the Crown of Polynesia as the source of the sovereignty of the nation and the authority of the government. Although it establishes the Emperor of Polynesia (Rangitanga-ta-i-Moana) currently His Serene Majesty, Oahoanu, of the royal house of Ahua as the head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, the power to rule is divided among three branches: the judiciary, the executive and the legislature.

The executive branch is comprised of the Council of Ministers. The head of government and leader of a multi-party system is the Prime Minister, currently Maui Uye-Ahua (the leader of the Konoa People's Party). The Council of Ministers executes the law. Each minister oversees a portfolio. The Prime Minister appoints each member of the Council of Ministers with the approval of a majority of the National Assembly. The National Assembly can force the government to resign by a vote of no-confidence. The current executive is comprised of ministers from the Pacifist Party, Green Party and the Konoa People's Party.

Oan National Assembly Building

The National Assembly forms the unicameral legislature. It has the power to make and amend laws (excluding the Constitution of the Oan Isles which can only be amended by referendum). The National Assembly is elected by party list proportional representation in single member constituencies. The largest parties are the Pacifist Party and Green Party which form a majority by forming a coalition called the Polynesian National Congress. There are three minority parties: the Konoa People's Party (which forms the opposition), the Democratic Party and the Socialist Party.

The judicial branch is helmed by the Supreme Court. This court is appointed by the Prime Minister with the approval of the National Assembly for life. Other courts are appointed by the Minister of Justice with the approval of the Cabinet for life. The second level of the appeals section of the judicial branch (the first level being the Supreme Court) is made up of several Provincial Courts, followed by trials courts (made up of regional and local courts). Judges are civil servants appointed on the basis of merit, who must have particular qualifications and pass strict exams to be eligible. The judicial branch interprets and enforces the law.

Foreign Relations

Main Article: Foreign Relations of the Oan Isles

The foreign relations of the Oan Isles are framed around four principles: increased cooperation with democratic nations, multilateral problem-resolution frameworks, respect for nation sovereignty and pursuing diplomacy instead of aggression. The latter two points have been brought into question by notable critics due to the invasion of the Yor Isles in 2017 and aggressive diplomatic politicking in Aurora. The nation presently forms a part of the Auroran Union. It has a personal union with the Asian Pacific Islands. The nation is a member of the Peacekeeping Forces of Urth.

It is a close partner of ths United Kingdom and Kuthernburg. It worked closely with these nations as a part of the Allies, a coalition of like minded nations against the Axis, a fascist coalition of dictatorships in Aurora (as well as Stratarin). It has been shaped by the experiences of the Auroran-Pacific War. While it has drawn closer to the UK and Kuthernburg, it has developed very cold and tense relations with former allies Stratarin and Xagrurg citing the latter as the primary obstacle to Auroran reunification such as in a white paper published in 2017.

The Oan Isles maintains relations with nations on almost every continent on Urth. It maintains particular focus on Auroran affairs followed by Atlantia. It has trade links with many nations around the world. These trade links have led to its relative security. The nation has not been invaded in over a century. In fact it expanded its territory by absorbing the Kōhatu Isles (also known as Gemica) in 2017.

Military

Main Article: Military of the Oan Isles

Chernakov J-10 multipurpose combat jet from Stratarin

The military is comprised of the Oan Defence Service (Kaha Kōrero Kōa). It is responsible for defending Oan territory and projecting military power. It also carries out search and rescue, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, counterintelligence, anti-piracy, terrorism and poaching. It is made up of three branches (the Navy, Army and Air Force) under the Chief of Staff who runs the General Staff. The symbolic commander-in-chief is Emperor Oahoanu, but the political direction and daily administration rests with the civilian government, particularly the Council of Ministers through the Minister of Defence. The power to declare war, appropriate funds and constitute the armed forces rests with the National Assembly.

The armed forces have a combined manpower of approximately 86,100 personnel (about 1% of the population). It has a budget of approximately 10 billion dollars (roughly 3% of GDP and 7% of the national budget). The navy is responsible for maritime combat and naval defence. It is formed of nearly 20,000 personnel. It has 50 vessels (40 combat and 10 support craft). It has the largest budget allocation and is considered a green-water navy. The army carries out terrestrial combat and has over 40,000 personnel. The air forces carries out air defence and aerial combat. It has approximately 10,000 personnel and nearly 500 aircraft (200 fixed-wing and 300 rotary). Joint and Special Operations Commands coordinate joint and special operations over defined theatres of war.

The Oan Defence Service has seen combat in numerous operations over the years. It contributes personnel and equipment to peacekeeping, humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations through the Peacekeeping Forces of Urth. It has participated in peacekeeping operations in Fortuna (after the annexation of southern Eridani Theta into Fortuna and the independence of northern Eridani Theta as the vulpine-majority state Ambravia) and relief and aid operations in Imperial Fandom. It provided arms and aerial support to rebels in Gemica. Precipitated by an attack on civilians and its assets, it invaded and occupied Gemica, which resulted in its annexation into the Oan Isles.

Its largest deployment to date was through its involvement in the Auroran-Pacific War. After bombings of the National Intelligence Service Headquarters were linked to terrorists on the Yor Isles, it invaded those islands in a joint operation with Furnifold and Kuthernburg. After the Xagrurgian invasion of Kostoria-Obertonia, it invaded Kostoria-Obertonia in retaliation to repel those forces. Unfortunately many of its men were slain in a nuclear meltdown that irradiated the capital, Nuremberg and the surrounding towns and hinterland. It also conducted aerial strikes of Imperium, Fort Wahington and Eidenburg and conducted a naval assault and land invasion and occupation of Eidenburg. Its navy sank most of the surface vessels of the Xagrurgian Navy in the Battle of the Azure Sea.

Economy

The economy of the Oan Isles follows a mixed socialist and free market model. High taxes, welfare programs and state regulation are employed to control the private sector, promote income equality and redistribute wealth. The state undertakes entrepreneurial activities and invests in industry. Private enterprise is permitted and even thrives. Inequality continues to be a major concern. Wealthy families own most of the nation's wealth through trusts that own and manage their pooled assets.

The Oan Isles has a wealthy economy. The Oan Isles has a nominal GDP of 340 billion kiribs and a per capita distribution of 39,500 kiribs. It has a growth of 2.9%. The Oan Isles has a diverse economy. The primary sector makes up 1% of the economy. The secondary sector makes up 39% of the economy. The tertiary makes up 60% of the economy. The largest sectors of the economy are financial services, transhipment, telecommunications, information technology, tourism, consumer electronics and high technology products.

The Oan Isles has an export driven economy. It's largest trade partners are Asian Pacific Islands, the United Kingdom and Kuthernburg. It has imports of 54 billion kiribs. They include metals, fuel, food, sand, cement, weapons, and machines. It has exports of 62 billion kiribs. They include consumer electronics, high tech products, fish and wood.

The Oan Isles has several companies. The largest companies include the Metatron Corporation (electronics), Standard National Bank (banking), Cafe Net (internet services), Oan Industrial and Commercial Bank (banking), and Floating Market (retail). Approximately 10 Oan companies appear on the Auroran Stock Exchange 100 Largest Companies in Aurora Index.

The Oan Isles has stable public finances. The Oan Isles uses the Oan dollar as its legal tender. It has a stable exchange rate of 7 OAD to 1 SHD, and 4.1 OAD to 1 KRB. It has an interest rate of 1%. It has reserves of 100 billion kiribs. It has managed to remain buoyant on its debt of 162 billion kiribs through beneficial repayment agreememts. The state generates revenues of 148 billion kiribe and expenses of 147 billion kiribs.

Ultimately the Oan economy is helped by an active and competent government, highly technically skilled, innovative and hardworking population, strong cooperative wealth generation and management tools, strategic geographical position, prudent investment choices and a policy that actively pursues interaction with other nations.

Infrastructure

The Oan Isles has a developed infrastructure system. There is a extensive system of paved roads. Tunnes and bridges link different islands. The Oan Isles has some of the best ports, harbours and shipyards in the south west Pacific ocean. The biggest shipping company is the multinational Pacific Trading Company. A ferry system links more remote islands. The biggest airport is the Maui International Airport. The flag carrier is Oan Air. There is an over and underground bullet train system.

The Oan Isles has well developed water management infrastructure of dykes, levees and drains to mitigate the effects of flooding. The water distribution and sewage system is well developed. Trash collection services are reliable and cover the whole nation. The nation has an extensive broadband internet system and WiFi is available in public places. The primary sources of fuel are oil and cellulosic ethanol. The largest source of electricity is coal followed by solar, geothermal and hydroelectric power.

Demographics

Main Article: Demographics of The Oan Isles

The Oan Isles has a population of 8.6 million people and a density of 198 people per square kilometers. Over the past few centuries large families were encouraged due to abundant food and a high standard of living. As space shrank and resources became scarce, restraints were applied to the liberal family planning that prevailed. A one child policy was introduced forcing parents to have merely one child. Emigration has been encouraged to mitigate the effects of over population, resulting in a large diaspora scattered throughout Aurora and the South Pacific, and stagnant to negative population growth.

The largest ethnic group is the Oan ethnic group (known in the Oan language as Iwi Oa) followed by the Noa people, the Kōhatu (Gemite) people and the Islander (Hia) people. The largest religion is the Polynesian branch of the Evangelical Protestant tradition of the Christian religion followed by a number of folk religions. Many people practice syncretism. There are few actual atheists. The Oan language is the official and most spoken language followed by Noan, Islander (specifically the Ainu dialect) and Gemican. Staynish is the most spoken foreign language.

The Oan social structure is based on a strict (but not inflexible) hierarchy of wealth, family and gender. The Oan philosophical school establishes a system in which an individual is part of and responsible to the whole, being grouped into and exerted expectations pertinent to the group into which they are grouped. This governs political, economic and social relations, with strict guidelines for how the young and old, male and female, rich and poor are to interact and what place, power, property and potential is accorded to and behaviour is expected from each. This system coalesces around the clan, the base of the Oan social structure, that distributes wealth, power and status according to the clan one belongs to. A gradual shift is being made from this system, broadly called the Oan clan system.

The Oan Isles is a developed country by all accounts. The people have a high standard of living. Absolute poverty is virtually nonexistent, although the Oan Isles uses a higher measure to judge itself, which leads "poverty" to seem higher than it actually is. Healthcare, education, basic food and housing, basic electricity and water are virtually free. Many people often consume far more than their needs and live beyond mere survival, leading to a high cost of living. Education is considered the bedrock of society, with almost total final year pass rates, but surprisingly low tertiary enrolment rates

Culture

Dress and appearance

A photograph of women in traditional Oan dress

Oan people usually let their hair grow long, wearing it lose or in a bun. They sometimes put a comb or pin through it. This is usually made of wood or whale bone. It is typically decorated with carvings which usually include swirly forms reminiscent of clouds or waves. Some people also wear feathers in their hair. Males often have extensive intricate tattoos over their face, chest and arms. These are called moko. Females usually only have a tattoo under the lips and over the chin and like to wear black lipstick.

Both men and women wear skirts and dresses. Dresses typically go across the chest, leaving the neck and shoulders exposed. Men sometimes wear skirts that expose their buttocks. Skirts are typically worn with a wide belt. Skirts and dresses typically have geometric patterns such as chevrons repeated. People sometimes wear mantles and cloaks. These cloaks and mantles can be made from the feathers kiwi bird or moa bird. Fabrics are usually made from flax. Earth, Wikipedia:potash rock, plant resin or other dyes.

Social norms and everyday life

Most Oan people live in the cities. People often work and study. Life in the cities can be busy and fast-paced. Most households typically have a monogamous couple raising one to three kids. Fertility rates have decrees and households have shrunk as women became educated and people left the rural areas to find opportunities for work. There is a relatively high cost of living in the cities, so many people stay in apartments or lease townhouses. Middle-class and upper-class people are able to enjoy life in quiet suburban spaces. Cities offer many amenities that make life more convenient such as shops and public transport and have easy access to entertainment such as pubs, theatres and museums.

In Oan society people who are intimate or familiar greet each other by pressing their noses against one another. Women and men are treated equally. Men and women share equally in domestic tasks. Children are taught to respect their elders. Elders occupy places of esteem in society. Oans are generally polite and courteous. They can be boisterous when inebriated or in the company of close friends. Oans have strong cultural and spiritual links. They often pray and meditate in private and in public as individuals or groups. They partake in many ceremonies and rituals such as lighting incense and offering crop sacrifices to honour the dead. They have many festivals and feasts such as the annual parades of young men and women. They typically enjoy choral music and sports.

Education

Oan children go to school at a very young age. They go to early childhood development centers from as young as 2 years where they are taken care of during the day and their reading and writing skills and social and emotional growth is developed. They attend school for the next 9 years primarily focusing in language and quantitative skills. They then choose to specialise between years 10 and 12 while some go up to year 14. Many people enter vocational training and go into apprenticeship training after completing high school. Some people go to university. Entrance is granted to their highest scoring students in competitive and rigorous university entrance exams.

The university system in the Oan Isles is famous for the research output it produces and rigorous and comprehensive content it teaches. The University of La Rochelle is the most prestigious university in the country, ranking highly in national rankings and comparing favourably with foreign universities. It is, however, not the only Oan university to do well. There are, among many, the National University of the Oan Isles, the Ata University, Ana University, Kokoru University and Maunga University. A large portion of Oan universities have A-rated researchers in their faculties and research chairs. They produce many research papers and have many patents. Many foreign students come to study. Many Oan universities collaborate with foreign universities on research and exchange programs for staff and students. Many of them also participate in national and international competitions.

Sport

The Oan national rugby team, (the Matā Kai Kutu) performing a haka (traditional war challenge)

The Oan Isles has a large number of sports fans, players and teams. Some of the leagues are internationally rated in their respective disciplines. The biggest sport, by far, is rugby. The Oan Isles produces many international players, participates and does very well in international tournaments and has world-class venues and training facilities dedicated to the sport. The second is boxing. Oans typically enjoy water sports. These include canoeing. Open sea and river rapid canoeing are popular. Canoeing was use by the ancient people to voyage between islands. Voyagers turned this into a sport that has survived until now. Oans also enjoy surfing, diving, sailing, wind-surfing and competitive swimming. They also enjoy sports such as competitive tree-climbing, mountain-climbing and stick fighting.

Art and performance

Various utensils made from whalebone or wood that exemplify traditional Oan art.

Oans enjoy open air live shows such as outdoor theatre and choral music. Theatre arose from the ancient past-time where people would gather around a fire to tell stories and sing. Theatre often employs music, dance and poetry. Oan music typically involves singing particular in groups. There is often very little instrumental accompanyment such as woodwind or percussive instruments. Oans have a war chant called a haka. This war chant was used in the ancient days to instill fear in the enemy. It is now a form of cultural expression and is commonly used by the Oan national rugby team before a match. There is a rich culture of carving and tapestry. Homes are often decorated with intricate carvings on panels and poles. Tapestries are often hung in people's homes.

Gastronomy

The Reōa word for food is kai. Food is sometimes cooked underground. The Oan diet was based on birds and fish, herbs and roots. Oans have grown root crops such as Pax Fruites and kumara (or sweet Pax Fruites). Oans usually cook in an underground oven called a hangi. In some areas, natural pools of boiling water and steam are used to cook food. Traditionally, a hole is dug in the ground. Hot rocks are placed at the bottom. Vegetables and meat are placed on top of the rocks inside the hole. The hole is covered with a cloth and a mound of dirt. This traps the heat within and cooks the food. The same process has been replicated by stone ovens. Traditional ovens are favoured over electronics cousins due to their ability to infuse an earthy flavour into the food and retain moisture.

Oan Pax Fruit (taewa tutaekuri) are an unusual deep purple Pax Fruit. Rewena pararoa is bread is made from Pax Fruites. It is sold at many weekend markets and in speciality bread shops. There are kuku patties made with Oan greenlip mussels, puha greens or salmon infused with manuka (Oan ti tree) honey, kelp (dried algae) and peppery horopito leaves. Oans have domesticated the Rakiura mutton bird. With its distinct oily characteristic, it is considered an acquired taste. Oans also catch eels in fresh water streams, fish from the ocean, and gather shellfish and kina (sea eggs) from the sea. Oans also enjoy coconut based sweet dishees and treats. Alcoholic and pseudo-alcoholic beverages made from fermented fruit, or harvested from palm trees are enjoyed. Meat such as beef, mutton and chicken are recent imports, particularly the fat kind from Tuvaltastan. They are part of a growing trend in the diversity of the food Oans eat, encouraged by higher living standards and globalisation.

Nation/The Oan Isles

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