Pacific People's Advisory Panel members announced

The Mayor is pleased to announce the members of the new Pacific People's Advisory Panel.

They are: Reverend Uesifili Unasa, Sione Tuitahi, Dr Robert Woonton, Monique Faleafa, Stephen Stehlin, Sina Aiolupotea-Aiono, Orchid Atimalala, Richard Pamatatau and Filemoni Timoteo.

"This group has a mixture of skills, experience, connectedness and maturity that will allow effective engagement with the council in strategic thinking and to advise me and the council on the opportunities and challenges that face our Pacific communities," says Len Brown.

The Chair of the selection committee, Alfred Ngaro says that "the intention of the selection committee was to fulfil the Mayoral vision of the most liveable city to work, study, invest and enjoy. So this city with the largest Pacific population in the world will have a strong and effective voice in advising the Mayor and the council."

While the Mayor has selected a 'new look' team to advise him and the council, he is also very aware of the need to retain continuity, community linkages and knowledge of past relationships and projects.

In a further move to strengthen those links, the Mayor has also extended an offer for a representative of the four existing Pacific advisory groups to be co-opted onto the panel. This offer is under consideration.

The Mayor would like to thank the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs who provided him with the process of selection - the selection committee were unanimous in their support of what has been a complex process requiring considerable skill and judgement.

"We would also like to thank all those who put their name forward," says Councillor Arthur Anae. "With more than 100 high quality applicants, the selection committee was faced with a difficult task. The calibre of the applicants and their commitment to their communities and to Auckland was impressive. A Pacific voice will be clearly heard in Auckland."

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