How to train the next generation of Pacific Islander politicians

go through Mary Afermata, Local Democracy Reporter

A Tongan Māori MP said it was “frustrating” how little support local Pacific Islander politicians received.

Only a handful of Pasifika parliamentary representatives attended Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) meetings this week, but Hutt City councillor Gabriel Tupou said he saw it as an opportunity for the community.

“We have to first sit at the table and then, once we are at the table to contribute to the decision-making, (we need to) support each other across borders.”

He said he was saddened to learn last year from Vamaru’s pioneering Samoan deputy mayor, Hana Halelele, that there was no Pacific Caucus network.

Last year, local councils including Auckland’s quit LGNZ, the national body that represents them, further weakening its influence.

“I think what really changed the face of Pacific Islanders in local government in New Zealand was the exit of Auckland Council.

“We have Nerissa Henry (from Auckland’s Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board) and others who we’ve been working with over the years, learning from each other and inspiring each other.”

He said the group of Pacific politicians could be strengthened by sharing campaign strategies and building networks.

“We as Pacific Islanders, Polynesians, naturally have such a large network of communities, including our schools, sports clubs, church faith communities, that we don’t realise that we can harness the power of the people to drive successful campaigns.”

But Toupou also sees this challenge as an opportunity.

“At this conference you see Pacific Islanders a mile away, so it can be isolating,” he said.

“So I would definitely work towards establishing some sort of Pacific Islander mechanism or network to support us.

“I think for the six councillors here right now we have to take the lead on something and that is to explain to the talanoa and wānanga what is going on and how we can support them, particularly those colleagues who have been forced out of the LGNZ Parliament.”

South Waikato MP Josiah Teokotai, who is of Maori and Cook Islands descent, said the lack of Pacific Islander representation at local government level was quite noticeable.

“I’m here to try and connect with other Pacific Islanders.

“I’ve only seen or heard of five or six of us. It’s a very small number. But I heard at the Maori meeting on Tuesday they had more than 120 members.

“I’m excited to meet five other Pacific people.”

But Teokotai said mentoring and succession planning were key factors in developing the next generation of Pacific politicians – and he counted former South Waikato MP Joe Turia as someone he looked up to.

“I was lucky. I had several mentors before me,” he said.

“It was unheard of to have a Pacific Islander in Parliament. So I always looked up to Joe and the others. Tua Numanga was also a Cook Islander. He was in Parliament for a while. It really opened my eyes to what an MP’s job is.”

He said that although they do not have many members at meetings or representation in local government, they are stronger together and can achieve more professional development together.

“We can bring Pacific culture, Pacific viewpoints or Pacific perspectives into parliament and have a collective response to Pacific issues, particularly in those parliaments where there are large Pacific populations.

He said these included Auckland and Wellington, two cities with large Pacific populations.

“It’s really important that we try to build a network because we’ll be stronger and we’ll have a voice.”

LDR is a local news organisation jointly funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.