Call for submissions sought on Pacific Peoples Advisory Panel

AUCKLAND’s Pacific communities are being asked for submissions on how best to represent their interests in the city in future, Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs (MPIA) chief executive Dr Colin Tukuitonga says.

Dr Tukuitonga said the Ministry is hosting two community fono early next month, and is also inviting written submissions.

“The enabling legislation for the new Auckland Council allows me to advise the mayor on how best to establish a new Pacific Peoples Advisory Panel,” Dr Tukuitonga said today.

“I don’t have a monopoly here - I’m keen to hear what Pacific people in the region think will work best so that my advice reflects community views as well as those of other stakeholders.”

“We have today published a discussion document on our website, which asks some questions and suggests some options for panel size, make-up, skills, selection criteria and so on.

“We hope this will assist our communities to make their preferences known, so that I can include their views as well as those of existing local authorities and the Auckland Transition Agency, in my advice to the mayor.”

“We are keen to receive submissions, which must be with us by August 6.”

Dr Tukuitonga will also be canvassing the views of the four existing Pacific advisory bodies, the elected Pacific councillors and community board members.

DETAILS

The discussion document can be found at www.mpia.govt.nz/community-notices/

Written submissions must be received by 6 August. They can be sent to:

Submissions on Pacific People’s Advisory Panel

C/o Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs

P O Box 97005

South Auckland Mail Centre

Manukau 2240

Or to pacific.panel@mpia.govt.nz by 6 August 2010.

Community fono will be held in early August in Western Springs and Mangere.

ENDS

© Scoop Media