Who is One Pacific?

One Pacific began as a ‘Mau Movement’. It is a movement of Pasifika leaders, people and their communities with their ‘Mau’ (…belief and conviction…that Aiga Pasifika, ‘the collective Pacific family’, can do better in Aotearoa).

What is our ‘Mau’?

First and foremost, it is about reminding us of who we are as Tangata Pasifika. It is about defining our vision, destiny and goals and how to get there with our core values intact, as well as upholding our ‘mamalu’, ‘mana’ and dignity.

Vision and aspirations in Aotearoa

It is about our vision and aspirations for progress, wellbeing and prosperity in Aotearoa. It is about charting a safe passage for our people and communities to move forward from stagnation. It provides a road map to achieve our purpose in Aotearoa.

United with one voice while acknowledging diversity

It is a call for our Pacific Islands’ leaders, people and communities to be united in our common vision, shared goals, and with one voice. It is about diversity within unity. We rise in unity. Divided and fragmented we fail and fall as is often the case. Others with vested interests have often divided us with their different value system and worldviews and in doing so, conquer and dash our hopes and dreams.

Political system as part of the landscape

In this malaga (journey), we accept that the political system is part of the landscape of our journey and that we must navigate it wisely to arrive at our desired destination safely.

Political Movement and Platform

Thus, One Pacific was born out of this ‘Mau’ (belief and conviction). It is a Pacific Political Movement and Platform. It is not a Political Party. However, its structural framework enables us to organise ourselves in an orderly and focused manner, so that we are at the ready to respond in the best interest of Pacific people and our communities.

The formation of its constitution shall be built from ground up to formalise its entity status and its working.

Whenever and wherever practicable, we shall travel on our own bus; with our own driver; our own road map; and with our own desired destination marked out. This is part of our ‘Mau’.

Co-sharing with fairness, equitability and mutual respect

For the 2017 General Election, One Pacific shall be in Partnership with Tangata o le Fanua and Maori Party. One Pacific shall journey together with the Maori Party because they are the only political party who have offered us fair and equitable co-sharing arrangements under their Maori Party ticket for our Pacific candidates, people and communities.

Tangata Pasifika is a priority for Maori and Maori Party

Tangata Pasifika is a visible and tangible priority for Maori and Maori Party. This is best illustrated by Maori and Maori Party with their inclusion of and care for Pasifika whānau and aiga (families), through their hard fought Whānau Ora development and funding.

Conversely, One Pacific does not believe, nor are we convinced that Pasifika people and their communities are a priority for the other political parties. This is clearly manifested in the significant misalignment and misfit of core values; priorities, practices and behaviour of mainstream political parties with those of Pasifika people, aiga and their communities.

ENDS

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