MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday 8 August 2005

Leadership - Easy Choice For Pacific People

For Pacific people, the decision as to who is the better leader for New Zealand and for the Pacific community is an easy one, says Labour Party list candidate, Su’a William Sio.

“Pacific people value leadership that is strong, decisive, and smart, that gets things done, and addresses problems and moves forward. ”

“This is the kind of leadership that the Labour Party is offering in the Prime Minister Helen Clark. She pledges what she’ll do, and does what she says she’ll do. That is the kind of leadership that builds confidence in all our communities and in the minds and hearts of all our peoples.”

Compare that to what’s on offer by the opposition. Their aim is to divide our communities by promoting racial intolerance and promoting greed based tax cuts. That’s not the kind of leadership that builds social harmony in our communities and in our homes, says Su’a.

“You and I need to make a choice as to who will lead this government and our country for the next three years and into the future,” says Su’a.

“I have often spoken about the journey of Pacific people from the islands to New Zealand for a better way of life, for educational opportunities for children & young ones, to support the extended family back in the islands.

“I was one of those children who came here with my parents for that better standard of life. That’s why I take the right to vote seriously and practice it. There are countries where its very people, ordinary folk like you and I, who literally paid with their blood and their lives so that they would be able to vote.

Labour is the only political party that has a story to tell about supporting aspirations of the Pacific community. “The Labour Party sees cultural and racial diversity as a strength and not as a weakness. That’s the kind of leadership and philosophy I am proud to be associated with”

For example. in politics, Taito Phillip Field was the first MP in NZ of Pacific descent; Luamanuvao Winnie Laban was the first Pacific women MP; and Mark Gosche was the first government minister of Pacific descent.

Ask anyone, says Su’a, from the other parties to name what they did to advance the political voice of Pacific in Parliament.

That’s why, says Su’a, he believes it is important for Pacific voters to exercise their vote on Saturday 17th September. Statistically, Pacific people are among the lowest turnout on voters on election day.

“By not voting, you are, in fact, allowing other people to make that decision for you. I got into politics because I didn’t like other people making decisions that impacted directly on me. Communities know what is best for them and the best action communities can take in order to participate in the decision making process is to vote on election day on Saturday 17th September 2005.

ENDS

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Su’a William Sio is a Manukau City Councillor representing the Otara Ward. He is currently the Chair of the Council Plan Committee.
Other organizations he is involved with include:-
- Local Government New Zealand – Zone One;
- Manukau Institute of Technology Council
- Otara Community Board;
- Otara Fleamarket Committee;
- Otara Community Law Centre;
- AREDS – Pacific Leaders Group;
- Pacific Arts Development Centre Trust;
- Service & Food Workers Union;
- Manukau East Labour Electorate Committee.

This press release is based on a speech he gave on Saturday, 6th August at the Launch of the West Auckland Labour Campaign.

In attendance were the:
Hon. Prime Minister Helen Clark, MP for Mt Albert
Hon. Chris Carter, MP for Te Atatu
David Cunliffe, MP for New Lynn
Lynne Pillay, MP for Waitakere
Darien Fenton, List Candidate
Jude Lawley, Candidate for Helensville
Dinesh Taylor, List Candidate
plus 300 members of the public.
Held at the Croatia Centre, Te Atatu.

ENDS

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