Latest news with #PacificPeoples
Scoop
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Pacific Wardens Funding Will Improve Coordination
Article – RNZ Community leaders say a funding injection for Pacific wardens could pave the way for a national structure similar to the Māori wardens model. Pacific wardens are volunteers who provide support at big community events and activities. They operate in different parts of the country, including Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Waikato. Among this year's budget announcements was NZ$1 million in funding for the Auckland Pacific Wardens Trust. The funding has been allocated over four years, with the trust due to receive $250,000 per year to co-ordinate the service in Auckland and Waikato. Long-serving Auckland councillor Alf Filipaina and Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti discussed the potential impacts of the funding at a community event on Wednesday in Māngere, Auckland. Filipaina said the funding would enable training for volunteers and would improve co-ordination between different groups of wardens across the city. 'It will really get them radios, communication… jackets, so when they are deployed anywhere around Tāmaki Makaurau, they know where they come from.' It would also help support wardens through petrol vouchers and phone cards, he said. In 2010, Filipaina was one of four community leaders who brought together different Pacific warden groups across Auckland into one co-ordinated service. Filipaina said this year's multi-year budget funding announcement was particularly significant for building capacity in the Pacific warden service. He believed there were between 100 and 120 Pacific wardens in Auckland currently. 'You could utilise this money to build that capacity, even a national Pacific wardens organisation,' Filipaina said. 'We're starting [with] this region [and] Waikato. I think there's [Pacific wardens] in Christchurch. But…we need to bring all those together, that's the key thing…and on a very similar model [to] the Māori Wwardens. 'Because why should we start looking at another model when their model works?' Māori wardens have been operating in communities across the country for more than 150 years. They have legal responsibilities under the Māori Community Development Act 1962, and work in a range of ways, including by providing emergency management, being present at big events, and supporting whānau in the justice system. Reti said he wanted to see Pacific wardens providing support across different types of community activities and events. 'My expectations are to have increased visibility of Pacific wardens in the community – not just at events, but generally in the community,' Reti said. 'I would like to think that that could go beyond that, from the one-off big events to day-to-day, weekend-to-weekend presence and visibility of the Pacific wardens, where they could be most utilised and most valued.'
Scoop
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Pacific Wardens Funding Will Improve Coordination
Community leaders say a funding injection for Pacific wardens could pave the way for a national structure similar to the Māori wardens model. Pacific wardens are volunteers who provide support at big community events and activities. They operate in different parts of the country, including Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Waikato. Among this year's budget announcements was NZ$1 million in funding for the Auckland Pacific Wardens Trust. The funding has been allocated over four years, with the trust due to receive $250,000 per year to co-ordinate the service in Auckland and Waikato. Long-serving Auckland councillor Alf Filipaina and Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti discussed the potential impacts of the funding at a community event on Wednesday in Māngere, Auckland. Filipaina said the funding would enable training for volunteers and would improve co-ordination between different groups of wardens across the city. "It will really get them radios, communication... jackets, so when they are deployed anywhere around Tāmaki Makaurau, they know where they come from." It would also help support wardens through petrol vouchers and phone cards, he said. In 2010, Filipaina was one of four community leaders who brought together different Pacific warden groups across Auckland into one co-ordinated service. Filipaina said this year's multi-year budget funding announcement was particularly significant for building capacity in the Pacific warden service. He believed there were between 100 and 120 Pacific wardens in Auckland currently. "You could utilise this money to build that capacity, even a national Pacific wardens organisation," Filipaina said. "We're starting [with] this region [and] Waikato. I think there's [Pacific wardens] in Christchurch. But…we need to bring all those together, that's the key thing…and on a very similar model [to] the Māori Wwardens. "Because why should we start looking at another model when their model works?" Māori wardens have been operating in communities across the country for more than 150 years. They have legal responsibilities under the Māori Community Development Act 1962, and work in a range of ways, including by providing emergency management, being present at big events, and supporting whānau in the justice system. Reti said he wanted to see Pacific wardens providing support across different types of community activities and events. "My expectations are to have increased visibility of Pacific wardens in the community - not just at events, but generally in the community," Reti said. "I would like to think that that could go beyond that, from the one-off big events to day-to-day, weekend-to-weekend presence and visibility of the Pacific wardens, where they could be most utilised and most valued."
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
'Look at the plan for growth' - Pacific peoples minister on NZ budget
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi New Zealand's Pacific peoples minister says Pasifika people should see themselves in the Government's 2025 budget. It comes amid disappointment in the financial plan from several quarters, including from a Tongan Auckland community leader and from the opposition's Pacific peoples spokesperson, Carmel Sepuloni. The Budget included a funding cut for the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) of nearly NZ$36 million over the next four years - equating to $9m annually - and the closing of the Tauola Business Fund which will save $3.5m a year. But Dr Shane Reti told Pacific Waves the benefits set to come from the Budget will also benefit Pasifika in Aotearoa. Asked what he would say to people who are still reluctant or still doubtful about what this budget can deliver for Pacific peoples, Reti said: "I think what I'd say to them is look at the plan for growth. "It is an economic growth agenda. As inflation comes down, cost of living improves. Pasifika people benefit from that," he said. "As inflation comes down, interest rates come down; mortgage rates come down. Therefore it's an easier pathway into housing - that's got to benefit Pasifika people. "And the extra 240,000 jobs, Pasifika people will participate in that. "So I would anticipate that Pasifika see themselves in this budget. It is an economic growth agenda and Pasifika people will benefit from economic growth." Dr Reti said he has "complete confidence" that MPP will still be able to deliver its core services. "We need to understand that any reductions in budget are spread out over four years. "Our Toloa scholarships used to be completely managed - that is that alignment between applicants and the mission for the Toloa fund used to be managed by MPP. That is now outsourced to a specialist agency who, more effective and more efficiently is able to help us find the 300 people roughly that we're looking to support each year through the Toloa STEM scholarships. So that's an example of MPP becoming more effective, more efficient and better using the funding that it does have." On Wednesday, Dr Reti announced NZ$1 million over four years for the Auckland Pacific Wardens Trust. The funding is for established wardens in Auckland and South Waikato but Reti said he would like to see the initiative expand to other parts of the country. Reti said Pacific Wardens are a trusted and vital presence in communities.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Boost For Pacific Wardens To Keep Communities Safe
Press Release – New Zealand Government Pacific Wardens will continue to support safer, stronger communities with a funding boost through Budget 2025, announced Pacific Peoples Minister Dr Shane Reti. 'Pacific Wardens are a trusted and vital presence in our communities — helping to keep our streets safer, our young people supported, and our neighbourhoods connected,' says Dr Reti. 'This Government is committed to strengthening their impact by providing the resources, structure, and certainty they need to grow and thrive in the years ahead.' Pacific Warden Groups have been a trusted presence for over a decade across Auckland and South Waikato. They provide a calm, reassuring influence on the ground — from patrolling streets and community spaces to being a visible, approachable presence at large-scale events like the Pasifika Festival and Polyfest. 'Wardens are often the bridge between communities and support services. They speak the language, understand the culture, and are well placed to de-escalate conflict, deter crime, and guide young people towards safer choices,' says Dr Reti. Through Budget 2025, the Government is investing $1 million over four years — $250,000 per year — to support the Auckland Pacific Wardens Trust. 'This is a practical investment that will go directly toward volunteer training, uniforms, and transport. It also allows the Trust to establish a paid coordinator role and build stronger national governance – providing the stability and structure these groups need to grow,' Dr Reti says. The funding delivers on a key commitment in the National Party and New Zealand First coalition agreement, recognising the value Pacific Wardens add to New Zealand's social fabric. 'Our Government backs community-led initiatives that work. This funding helps Pacific Wardens do what they do best — supporting communities, reducing harm, and strengthening social cohesion. I commend the Trust and all its volunteers for the vital work they do, and I look forward to seeing their impact grow,' says Dr Reti.
Scoop
7 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Boost For Pacific Wardens To Keep Communities Safe
Minister for Pacific Peoples Pacific Wardens will continue to support safer, stronger communities with a funding boost through Budget 2025, announced Pacific Peoples Minister Dr Shane Reti. 'Pacific Wardens are a trusted and vital presence in our communities — helping to keep our streets safer, our young people supported, and our neighbourhoods connected,' says Dr Reti. 'This Government is committed to strengthening their impact by providing the resources, structure, and certainty they need to grow and thrive in the years ahead.' Pacific Warden Groups have been a trusted presence for over a decade across Auckland and South Waikato. They provide a calm, reassuring influence on the ground — from patrolling streets and community spaces to being a visible, approachable presence at large-scale events like the Pasifika Festival and Polyfest. 'Wardens are often the bridge between communities and support services. They speak the language, understand the culture, and are well placed to de-escalate conflict, deter crime, and guide young people towards safer choices,' says Dr Reti. Through Budget 2025, the Government is investing $1 million over four years — $250,000 per year — to support the Auckland Pacific Wardens Trust. 'This is a practical investment that will go directly toward volunteer training, uniforms, and transport. It also allows the Trust to establish a paid coordinator role and build stronger national governance – providing the stability and structure these groups need to grow,' Dr Reti says. The funding delivers on a key commitment in the National Party and New Zealand First coalition agreement, recognising the value Pacific Wardens add to New Zealand's social fabric. 'Our Government backs community-led initiatives that work. This funding helps Pacific Wardens do what they do best — supporting communities, reducing harm, and strengthening social cohesion. I commend the Trust and all its volunteers for the vital work they do, and I look forward to seeing their impact grow,' says Dr Reti.
