Pacific voices and Auckland’s new council

AUCKLAND’s Pacific communities will have a number of opportunities to have a say in the city’s future, Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs (MPIA) chief executive Dr Colin Tukuitonga says.

“We will be asking for communities’ views on the make-up of the Auckland Council’s Pacific Peoples Advisory Panel at a series of meetings in the region next month” Dr Tukuitonga said.

“MPIA will hold four separate fono to hear views on how the Pacific Panel should be formed.”
“Local government legislation requires me to consult with the Auckland Transition Agency and all the existing councils in the region” Dr Tukuitonga said.

“It also allows me to consult with other interested parties and I propose to meet with the four existing Pacific Advisory Boards, the elected Pacific councillors and community board members, and with the wider community at two further fono.”

Dr Tukuitonga said the Pacific population in Auckland was diverse and he wanted to ensure all community views were heard.

“We have different island nation groups who will want a say, and people who are spread across a sprawling geographical area”

“Our task is to design a panel that can speak for the Auckland Pacific population and all its interests.”

“We have to November 1st to develop a proposal to present to the new Mayor of Auckland. In the time available we will consult as widely as possible to ensure Pacific people can have their say in helping us to shape the proposal” Dr Tukuitonga said.

Details of the meetings (fono) and the address for sending written submissions will be available on the Ministry website www.mpia.govt.nz soon.

ENDS

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