Latest news with #Hausia
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Vi Hausia Urges Community Engagement, Voter Turnout In Local Elections
Article – Mary Afemata – Local Democracy Reporter As Auckland approaches local elections, 31-year-old Vi Hausia is calling on more Pacific people to take on leadership roles and vote. The civil engineer is one of the youngest elected Pacific members on the Auckland Council, serving as deputy chair of the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board. During the day, he manages stormwater infrastructure, while in his governance role, he addresses community concerns and manages public assets. 'My experience so far on the board is that our people is not often the people that complain,' Hausia says. 'There's other squeaky wheels of Auckland that are very squeaky. From my experience, the louder you squeak, that tends to follow the response that council gives. Because our people generally have low engagement doesn't necessarily mean they don't care. 'There's a lot of other barriers and issues. As elected members, we have to work twice as hard to engage our community and amplify their voices with the little engagement that we do get.' Hausia recently shared his insights on the role of elected officials during Auckland Council's Pasifika Local Elections talanoa, a live-streamed panel event aimed at increasing civic engagement ahead of the vote in October. Hausia describes the responsibilities of a local board member as straightforward: meetings, readings, and community engagement. Each month involves formal decision-making meetings, workshops, reviewing extensive briefing documents, and regular interactions with councillors, staff, and residents. A key part of his role is translating complex council reports into meaningful outcomes for local residents. 'Every item on our workshop will have a presentation, and a lot of those items will also have supplementary information like memos or multiple memos, reports, and briefing videos with council staff,' he says. 'You prioritise what you read. It's about turning council-speak into real-life results.' Hausia often shadows board chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia to stay informed about major local issues. When constituents raise concerns, such as traffic safety or funding for Polyfest, he ensures their voices reach the appropriate channels. 'Our job isn't just attending meetings, it's showing up, listening, and fighting for what matters.' Balancing a full-time job with council responsibilities is a challenge. Hausia negotiated flexible working hours with his employer before running for office. He considers this arrangement essential for young Pacific professionals managing both careers and community responsibilities. 'Before I ran for elections, I let my job know that my intention is to run for local government,' Hausia says. 'I'm very fortunate my job is supportive and they do everything to allow enough time to attend the board. If you have a full-time job and you're likely to still work while on the board, just make sure you're able to have that flexibility.' He says many Pacific candidates underestimate their abilities, believing that a background in politics or law is necessary. But he says that council need more than just credentials. 'Just understand the difference between local board decision making, governing body, and central government. Don't go in saying you're going to save the world and then realise you're just deciding on a swing on a playground.' Both Auckland Council and the Electoral Commission have pledged to improve Pacific voter turnout by 2025. Erin Temu, an adviser for the Electoral Commission who also participated in the talanoa session, highlighted that only 25 per cent of voters from Pacific, Māori, and ethnic communities cast ballots in 2022. 'The Pacific population in Auckland has gone from 13 per cent to 16.6 per cent and growing, which is 275,079 people with approximately 195,000 eligible voters,' Temu says. 'If even half of these eligible Pacific voters turned out, the potential for greater representation is significant.' Hausia's advice to aspiring Pacific leaders is clear: 'You're not alone. We need leaders who reflect us, who sound like us, and who are proud of their roots. If you're the first in your area, you won't be the last.'
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Vi Hausia Urges Community Engagement, Voter Turnout In Local Elections
Article – Mary Afemata – Local Democracy Reporter The civil engineer is one of the youngest elected Pacific members on the Auckland Council, serving as deputy chair of the tara-Papatoetoe Local Board. As Auckland approaches local elections, 31-year-old Vi Hausia is calling on more Pacific people to take on leadership roles and vote. The civil engineer is one of the youngest elected Pacific members on the Auckland Council, serving as deputy chair of the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board. During the day, he manages stormwater infrastructure, while in his governance role, he addresses community concerns and manages public assets. 'My experience so far on the board is that our people is not often the people that complain,' Hausia says. 'There's other squeaky wheels of Auckland that are very squeaky. From my experience, the louder you squeak, that tends to follow the response that council gives. Because our people generally have low engagement doesn't necessarily mean they don't care. 'There's a lot of other barriers and issues. As elected members, we have to work twice as hard to engage our community and amplify their voices with the little engagement that we do get.' Hausia recently shared his insights on the role of elected officials during Auckland Council's Pasifika Local Elections talanoa, a live-streamed panel event aimed at increasing civic engagement ahead of the vote in October. Hausia describes the responsibilities of a local board member as straightforward: meetings, readings, and community engagement. Each month involves formal decision-making meetings, workshops, reviewing extensive briefing documents, and regular interactions with councillors, staff, and residents. A key part of his role is translating complex council reports into meaningful outcomes for local residents. 'Every item on our workshop will have a presentation, and a lot of those items will also have supplementary information like memos or multiple memos, reports, and briefing videos with council staff,' he says. 'You prioritise what you read. It's about turning council-speak into real-life results.' Hausia often shadows board chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia to stay informed about major local issues. When constituents raise concerns, such as traffic safety or funding for Polyfest, he ensures their voices reach the appropriate channels. 'Our job isn't just attending meetings, it's showing up, listening, and fighting for what matters.' Balancing a full-time job with council responsibilities is a challenge. Hausia negotiated flexible working hours with his employer before running for office. He considers this arrangement essential for young Pacific professionals managing both careers and community responsibilities. 'Before I ran for elections, I let my job know that my intention is to run for local government,' Hausia says. 'I'm very fortunate my job is supportive and they do everything to allow enough time to attend the board. If you have a full-time job and you're likely to still work while on the board, just make sure you're able to have that flexibility.' He says many Pacific candidates underestimate their abilities, believing that a background in politics or law is necessary. But he says that council need more than just credentials. 'Just understand the difference between local board decision making, governing body, and central government. Don't go in saying you're going to save the world and then realise you're just deciding on a swing on a playground.' Both Auckland Council and the Electoral Commission have pledged to improve Pacific voter turnout by 2025. Erin Temu, an adviser for the Electoral Commission who also participated in the talanoa session, highlighted that only 25 per cent of voters from Pacific, Māori, and ethnic communities cast ballots in 2022. 'The Pacific population in Auckland has gone from 13 per cent to 16.6 per cent and growing, which is 275,079 people with approximately 195,000 eligible voters,' Temu says. 'If even half of these eligible Pacific voters turned out, the potential for greater representation is significant.' Hausia's advice to aspiring Pacific leaders is clear: 'You're not alone. We need leaders who reflect us, who sound like us, and who are proud of their roots. If you're the first in your area, you won't be the last.'
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Vi Hausia Urges Community Engagement, Voter Turnout In Local Elections
As Auckland approaches local elections, 31-year-old Vi Hausia is calling on more Pacific people to take on leadership roles and vote. The civil engineer is one of the youngest elected Pacific members on the Auckland Council, serving as deputy chair of the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board. During the day, he manages stormwater infrastructure, while in his governance role, he addresses community concerns and manages public assets. 'My experience so far on the board is that our people is not often the people that complain,' Hausia says. 'There's other squeaky wheels of Auckland that are very squeaky. From my experience, the louder you squeak, that tends to follow the response that council gives. Because our people generally have low engagement doesn't necessarily mean they don't care. 'There's a lot of other barriers and issues. As elected members, we have to work twice as hard to engage our community and amplify their voices with the little engagement that we do get.' Hausia recently shared his insights on the role of elected officials during Auckland Council's Pasifika Local Elections talanoa, a live-streamed panel event aimed at increasing civic engagement ahead of the vote in October. Hausia describes the responsibilities of a local board member as straightforward: meetings, readings, and community engagement. Each month involves formal decision-making meetings, workshops, reviewing extensive briefing documents, and regular interactions with councillors, staff, and residents. A key part of his role is translating complex council reports into meaningful outcomes for local residents. 'Every item on our workshop will have a presentation, and a lot of those items will also have supplementary information like memos or multiple memos, reports, and briefing videos with council staff,' he says. 'You prioritise what you read. It's about turning council-speak into real-life results.' Hausia often shadows board chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia to stay informed about major local issues. When constituents raise concerns, such as traffic safety or funding for Polyfest, he ensures their voices reach the appropriate channels. 'Our job isn't just attending meetings, it's showing up, listening, and fighting for what matters.' Balancing a full-time job with council responsibilities is a challenge. Hausia negotiated flexible working hours with his employer before running for office. He considers this arrangement essential for young Pacific professionals managing both careers and community responsibilities. "Before I ran for elections, I let my job know that my intention is to run for local government," Hausia says. "I'm very fortunate my job is supportive and they do everything to allow enough time to attend the board. If you have a full-time job and you're likely to still work while on the board, just make sure you're able to have that flexibility." He says many Pacific candidates underestimate their abilities, believing that a background in politics or law is necessary. But he says that council need more than just credentials. 'Just understand the difference between local board decision making, governing body, and central government. Don't go in saying you're going to save the world and then realise you're just deciding on a swing on a playground.' Both Auckland Council and the Electoral Commission have pledged to improve Pacific voter turnout by 2025. Erin Temu, an adviser for the Electoral Commission who also participated in the talanoa session, highlighted that only 25 per cent of voters from Pacific, Māori, and ethnic communities cast ballots in 2022. 'The Pacific population in Auckland has gone from 13 per cent to 16.6 per cent and growing, which is 275,079 people with approximately 195,000 eligible voters,' Temu says. 'If even half of these eligible Pacific voters turned out, the potential for greater representation is significant.' Hausia's advice to aspiring Pacific leaders is clear: 'You're not alone. We need leaders who reflect us, who sound like us, and who are proud of their roots. If you're the first in your area, you won't be the last.'
Otago Daily Times
24-04-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Violent offender plans to work as a missionary
Manu Hausia is serving a total term of seven years seven months after two incidents of extreme violence. PHOTO: GEORGE HEARD/NZME A man who tried to stab an Oamaru mother to death in front of her family says he wants to return to Tonga to work as a missionary. But the Parole Board said it would only allow Manu Hausia to leave prison if satisfied he did not pose an undue risk to those living in his homeland. "We are therefore expecting information to be confirmed in writing from Tonga about the accommodation and employment opportunities available to Mr Hausia as well as the family and community supports and social controls that can be expected to keep Mr Hausia and his community safe," panel convener Judge Geoffrey Ellis said. Hausia met his victim at a rugby game in Auckland at the start of 2021, then moved to Oamaru to live with her. But he soon showed his violent streak. After an initial episode of domestic violence, Hausia was bailed to Ashburton but disregarded that to continue living with the woman. In September 2022, she called police following an argument with the drunken defendant. Hausia put her in a stranglehold and stabbed her in the head and body more than a dozen times with a kitchen knife and scissors, telling her he would be the last person she would ever see. When another person intervened, he stabbed them, too. Hausia pleaded guilty to attempted murder, among other violence charges, and was jailed for six and a-half years. Last year, he had another 13 months added to that term for attacking another inmate in the exercise yard at the Otago Corrections Facility. At a recent hearing, the Parole Board noted Hausia had since transferred to Spring Hill Corrections Facility so he could undertake the Saili Matagi course — a medium-intensity programme specifically for Pasifika prisoners. He was also doing English language classes and had been working in horticulture before the jailhouse attack resulted in him spending time in segregation. Judge Geoffrey Ellis said Hausia appeared to have family support, and aspirations for when he returned home. "He has no work specifically arranged, but he told us that he plans to work as a missionary and also has an ambition to establish a barbering business," he said. Hausia will see the Parole Board again in August.
