Auckland’s Pacific People Are Vital To New Zealand’s Economy

Pacific communities are welcoming their new Minister this Thursday (12 February) at a special meet and greet event in South Auckland.

New Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, the Honourable Georgina te Heuheu, will be welcomed to Auckland by Pacific communities at the Nga Tapuwae Community Centre in Mangere (starting from 6pm). Also present will be the government MP for Maungakiekie, Peseta Sam Lotu-liga.

“Minister te Heuheu is keen to get to know and understand the critical issues Pacific communities face.
A great way to do this is to meet and talk to our people directly,” says Magila Annandale, Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs’ Communications and Relationships Director.

While Georgina te Heuheu has already attended some Pacific events, this week’s gathering is seen as the first time the new minister is welcomed by the wider Pacific community. Auckland is particularly important in Pacific affairs because two thirds of New Zealand’s Pacific population live there and have a long commitment to the region.

Manukau, where the event will be held, is home to the majority of the Auckland Pacific population and is the preferred location for many.

The Minister sees her Pacific portfolio as important to New Zealand’s economic development. For example, Pacific youth make up an increasing section of the New Zealand population and future workforce.

Statistics New Zealand projects that Pacific people are expected to make up nearly 12 per cent of the younger population aged 15-39 in 2026, compared with just over 8 per cent in 2006. Because of their younger age profile, the share of Pacific people in the workforce is expected to grow faster than others in the general New Zealand population.

In the 2006 Census, close to 270,000 people identified themselves as of Pacific origin. In the same Census, more than 43,000 people were recorded as being of mixed Pacific/Maori origin and this number is increasing rapidly.

ENDS

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