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FIVE
PACIFIC COUNCILLORS IN MANUKAU CITY COUNCIL |
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By Ruci Farrel |
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With the exception of Otara’s AnaeArthur Anae, the Labour Party has
once again played the upper hand in returning its four Pacific Island
councillors to serve alongside Sir Barry Curtis in the Manukau City
Council.
While former National MP Arthue Anae waltzed home on the back of the
non-Labour votes, it was touch and go for two term Mangere councillor
Arthur Solomon who scratched through with the barest of margins.
Otara upset the apple cart by throwing its weight behind Anae at the
expense of Labour’s Allan Va’a. William Sua Sio got in on a much
reduced count which proves there may be chinks in the Labour armour
after all.
Irrespective of the vote tallies, Manukau now has five Pacific Island
councillors, one more than the previous council.
Into their second term as councillors are Counties Manukau Police
community liaison officer Alf Filipaina, education provider Arthur
Solomon, former trade unionist and business advisor William Sua Sio and
powerhouse for Pasifika youth James Papalii. Nine Pacific islanders
were elected to Manukau’s community boards.
Voter turnout in Manukau at October’s local government election was the
highest in any metropolitan city, the first time in the last six local
government elections. Of the 72,381 Pacific Islanders in the city of
345,000 (2001 census), 36.6 per cent voted in Mangere, 34 per cent in
Manurewa and 33 per cent in Otara — all Pacific strongholds and
backbone to the Labour Party.
Now its down to business for the next three years. Much of the work in
local government is done behind closed doors where the movers and
shakers lobby and indulge in the game of political manoeuvring to cage
the votes essential to decision-making.
At 32, Selio Solomon is a teacher and administrator by day and chairman
of the Mangere Community Board by night.
His family owns and operates long-time tertiary education provider
Martin Hautus which has campuses in Mangere and Onehunga. His home
patch in Mangere Bridge gives him a bird’s eye view into what makes
south Auckland tick. |
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Counties Manukau City Council
second term Mangere councilor Pulotu Arthur Solomon and his wife
Maretta; all three Mangere councillors are of Pacific heritage. |
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Mangere MP - Taito Philip Field with his fellow Labour Party
supporters shortly after the elections at his electorate office,
with more Pacific making it into the local elections. |
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Tapu Anne Po-Wihongi from the Cook Islands of Manukau which now
has five Pacific Island councillors, one more than the previous
council.
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“One of the main things is seeing the struggles of our young people and
families.”
Struggles in education, health and housing. The way some of our
families live are terrible. Not having the qualifications leads to poor
jobs, poor living conditions and ill health, Selio says.
In his books the best way of overcoming poverty is by giving them a
helping hand whether it be education or self employment.
“One attribute Pacific Islanders should be proud of is we like to work
hard. We can promote self employment and direct them to the right
places.
“To effectively represent the people we need to listen well and learn.
I also want to ensure the distribution of public funds is to the right
people. When you deal with public funds you need to be accountable.
As a newcomer to public office Selio acknowledges the groundwork that
his predecessors have laid to better the lot of Pacific communities in
South Auckland. He also understands that little can be achieved on the
smell of an oily rag.
“Funding is always going to be a problem and we need to make sure those
people are well funded so they can continue the good work they are
doing.
“There are a lot of education and health institutes out there and our
people need to be able to access that but funding is always going to be
an issue.
Thirty per cent of Manukau’s Pacific population are under the age of 15
and while others find it convenient to stamp this generation with the
crime, graffiti and ‘P” labels, Selio has better ideas.
“I want to make sure there are programmes for them. There’s no need for
them to be tagging. There needs to be good facilities — progress
centres, halls, performing arts centres where they can express
themselves and develop other aspects at the same time.
“As a community board we need to be open minded to the aspirations of
the people and make sure there’s no duplication. If someone comes with
a good idea then go for it. If we can offer a hand in helping set it up
then I personally am satisfied with that.”
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Copyright Event Polynesia Ltd.
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