Direction setting for Pasifika festival

MEDIA RELEASE

30 June 2003

Direction setting for Pasifika festival

The first meeting of the new Pasifika festival advisory board was held on Wednesday 25 June at Auckland City Council.

The general consensus from all board members was that their role was of a strategic and governance nature, not operational and managerial as was the case with the previous Komiti structure.

The 2003 event was hugely successful with record numbers participating at the Western Springs’ venue and enjoying all of the Pacific flavours on offer.

The new board consists of the following representatives from the seven Pacific Island communities:

Samoa Savea Al Harrington Lavea
Niue Neville Tauelima Luisi
Tonga Will Ilolahia
Fiji Lasaro R Lalanabaravi
Cook Islands Eva William
Tavalu Fala Haulangi
Tokelau Fala Iosua

Other board representatives are:

Recreation and Events Chairperson Councillor Scott Milne
Industry New Zealand Vito Lo lacono
Tourism Auckland Graham Osborne
Auckland City Cameron Parr
Auckland City Martin Sutcliffe

One of the key objectives of the new advisory board is to look at the future direction for the Pasifika festival and to ensure decisions are made from a collective stakeholder perspective.

Auckland City Council’s Recreation and Events Committee chairperson, Councillor Scott Milne says, the formulation of the board and the agreement to grow the event are fantastic moves in the right direction.

“I look forward to working very closely with these extremely focused and committed people.

“However, an early decision will need to be made on the appointment of a permanent chairperson to take the place of the interim chairperson, Nuku Rapana, and establish clear lines of communication between board members and their communities,” he said.

Ends

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