Latest news with #PacificMornings
Scoop
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
After Nearly 30 Years, Wellington Could See A Pasifika Councillor Again
Article – Mary Afemata – Local Democracy Reporter Wellington could soon have its first Pasifika voice around the council table in nearly 30 years. The capital last had a Pacific councillor in 1995, when Namulau'ulu Tala Cleverley left office. Now, Auimatagi Ken Ah Kuoi says he plans to make a second … Wellington could soon have its first Pasifika voice around the council table in nearly 30 years. The capital last had a Pacific councillor in 1995, when Namulau'ulu Tala Cleverley left office. Now, Auimatagi Ken Ah Kuoi says he plans to make a second bid for Wellington City Council, running under the Independent Together ticket for the Motukairangi/Eastern Ward. 'I feel that we should have a Samoan or a Pasifika person for that matter standing,' he told Pacific Mornings on 531pi. 'The last time was famous Namulau'ulu Tala Cleverley … so it's more than 30 years.' Auimatagi, a lawyer and former Education Review Officer, says he's not just standing for himself, but for Pacific families in the capital who have gone unrepresented for too long. 'It's about time. We need somebody in there,' he says. 'You have to be around the table. If you're not around the table, you can't share our voice.' In 2022, Auimatagi received just under 1,300 votes in his first council bid. This time, he believes voter frustration over rates and council performance could boost turnout, especially among Pacific communities and older voters. 'The biggest difference is that people now want to vote because they want to get rid of the council at the moment,' he says. 'I mean, the council is dysfunctional and it's not working. It's not listening to the people.' He says some voters, particularly elderly residents, feel the council hasn't prioritised essential services. 'They're not focusing on the services that are needed… and not listening to the public,' he says. 'So this time, there's a lot of old people that want to vote. They're saying to us that now is the time that we want to physically put down our yes and tick in and vote for people because they're sick and tired of the council.' Auimatagi wants Pacific communities, particularly church leaders, to encourage people to vote. 'Just getting our people, the churches and the leaders, need to tell the congregation that we need somebody in there.' He emphasised education and teaching people how to vote. 'If I'm standing and you only know me or you want me, just put one beside my name and then that's it. You don't have to rank it.' A key part of his campaign is removing political party influence from local council decisions, he said. 'We don't want … party politics in council. And that's why we're standing together. We're just individuals. And we've got shared values… to put the community first.' Auimatagi is also campaigning on a promise of no further rates increases. He believes a zero rates increase is achievable by reprioritising council spending. 'Of course it can be done. If we cut all the other approaches—the millions of dollars going to Golden Mile, a sea wall and all that stuff … we need to focus on the pipes and the infrastructure,' he says. He says he will bring lived experiences and common sense to the council table, if elected. 'Those experiences I bring to the table, a doer, a person that listens to people, listens to his customers, clients.' Auimatagi also raised concerns about homelessness and mental health in Kilbirnie, where he works. 'We need to find a space for those people because of mental health and other stuff.' His message to voters is simple: 'I'm just encouraging people to vote. Vote, please. You can't complain if things are not happening around our city.' Candidate nominations open on July 4 and close on August 1, ahead of local elections in October. -LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
After Nearly 30 Years, Wellington Could See A Pasifika Councillor Again
Wellington could soon have its first Pasifika voice around the council table in nearly 30 years. The capital last had a Pacific councillor in 1995, when Namulau'ulu Tala Cleverley left office. Now, Auimatagi Ken Ah Kuoi says he plans to make a second bid for Wellington City Council, running under the Independent Together ticket for the Motukairangi/Eastern Ward. 'I feel that we should have a Samoan or a Pasifika person for that matter standing,' he told Pacific Mornings on 531pi. 'The last time was famous Namulau'ulu Tala Cleverley … so it's more than 30 years.' Auimatagi, a lawyer and former Education Review Officer, says he's not just standing for himself, but for Pacific families in the capital who have gone unrepresented for too long. 'It's about time. We need somebody in there,' he says. 'You have to be around the table. If you're not around the table, you can't share our voice.' In 2022, Auimatagi received just under 1,300 votes in his first council bid. This time, he believes voter frustration over rates and council performance could boost turnout, especially among Pacific communities and older voters. 'The biggest difference is that people now want to vote because they want to get rid of the council at the moment,' he says. 'I mean, the council is dysfunctional and it's not working. It's not listening to the people.' He says some voters, particularly elderly residents, feel the council hasn't prioritised essential services. 'They're not focusing on the services that are needed... and not listening to the public,' he says. 'So this time, there's a lot of old people that want to vote. They're saying to us that now is the time that we want to physically put down our yes and tick in and vote for people because they're sick and tired of the council.' Auimatagi wants Pacific communities, particularly church leaders, to encourage people to vote. 'Just getting our people, the churches and the leaders, need to tell the congregation that we need somebody in there.' He emphasised education and teaching people how to vote. 'If I'm standing and you only know me or you want me, just put one beside my name and then that's it. You don't have to rank it.' A key part of his campaign is removing political party influence from local council decisions, he said. 'We don't want ... party politics in council. And that's why we're standing together. We're just individuals. And we've got shared values... to put the community first.' Auimatagi is also campaigning on a promise of no further rates increases. He believes a zero rates increase is achievable by reprioritising council spending. 'Of course it can be done. If we cut all the other approaches—the millions of dollars going to Golden Mile, a sea wall and all that stuff ... we need to focus on the pipes and the infrastructure,' he says. He says he will bring lived experiences and common sense to the council table, if elected. 'Those experiences I bring to the table, a doer, a person that listens to people, listens to his customers, clients.' Auimatagi also raised concerns about homelessness and mental health in Kilbirnie, where he works. 'We need to find a space for those people because of mental health and other stuff.' His message to voters is simple: 'I'm just encouraging people to vote. Vote, please. You can't complain if things are not happening around our city.' Candidate nominations open on July 4 and close on August 1, ahead of local elections in October. -LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Tory Whanau: Stepping Aside From Mayoralty Is Strategic, Not A Retreat
Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau says it's the right call to step aside from the mayoral race to contest the city's newly established Māori ward. Whanau cited a need for stronger Māori and Pacific representation and wanting to protect women and minorities from online abuse, while also avoiding a divisive campaign. Whanau framed her move as strategic, not a retreat, and she felt there was an urgent need to tackle online violence against minority candidates. Whanau, who made history as Wellington's first Māori mayor, says stepping down is the right decision for the city's future. 'There's some grief attached to this, right? Because I've cared very deeply about this role. But when I think about the longer term, and what's important – the kaupapa – this is the right call,' she told Pacific Mornings on 531pi. The decision marks an abrupt U-turn after Whanau earlier this month confirmed she would seek re-election [ in order to finish Wellington's ten-year plan. However, two weeks later, she announced her withdrawal – clearing the way for Labour-endorsed candidate Andrew Little to emerge as the frontrunner. Her withdrawal followed Little's confirmation that he had secured Labour's backing and intended to run a campaign with 'momentum already underway'. 'Wellington is looking for something different now, which is why I've entered the race,' Little says. "There's still four other candidates, so there is a campaign to be had and to win. I'm not letting up in terms of my effort and energy, and there's a lot of momentum underway already, so I keep going," he says. Whanau says she reflected deeply after Little's campaign launch and decided she did not want to split the progressive vote or risk a divisive battle between Labour and Green-aligned voters. 'I knew he had the support,' she says. 'So I thought, how can I better utilise my profile, my skills and my passions?' She says the move aligns with her long-term aspirations to work more directly with mana whenua and lead kaupapa Māori initiatives across council. 'I didn't want this to be a highly negative campaign between me and Andrew – Labour and the Greens – when actually we're probably going to fight for the same things,' Whanau says. 'I will clear the pathway for him to run a successful campaign. I will instead run for the Māori ward, and that really excites me.' Whanau also used her platform to call for greater protection for women and minority groups in politics, reflecting on the abuse she faced while mayor. 'We want the best people running for council – and they're not going to run if this behaviour doesn't change,' she says. 'My dream scenario is being elected to the Māori ward and working to create safer pathways for women and marginalised communities into politics.' Her departure leaves a noticeable gap in the diversity of mayoral candidates, with no women currently standing for the city's top job – a reflection, Whanau says, of the increasing hostility towards women leaders. 'It's turning people away. It's a tragedy because it impacts representation – it impacts democracy,' she says. Meanwhile, Whanau has a message for Wellington voters: 'There are some not nice characters on council. Have a look at who's running, who's got your best interests at heart – and get out and vote.' Reflecting on her three years as mayor, Whanau criticised the culture inside council. 'I want to start fighting on behalf of our people, because I think some people stand for local body for the wrong reasons – who potentially are just there to hurt others. That's not okay. That's not what democracy is about,' she says. She also points to her imbalance in media treatment during her time in office. 'It's been very imbalanced. I don't know why. It's been frustrating. To be frank, I'm looking forward to not having to deal with it again,' she says. Despite the challenges, Whanau says she remains committed to public service. 'This has been the hardest thing I've ever done. But it's certainly proved to me that no matter how hard it gets, this is the mahi that I love and that we'll continue doing.' Whanau's call for stronger Pacific representation comes as Wellington marks nearly 30 years without a Pacific councillor. The last Pacific representative was Tala Cleverley, who served on the Wellington City Council from 1979 to 1995 – becoming the first Pasifika person elected to local government in Aotearoa New Zealand.
