AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

30 May 2006

Representatives chosen for Pacific Islands Advisory Board

Auckland’s Pacific Island community has elected representatives to sit on the new Auckland City Pacific Island Advisory Board.

A 10-day election period came to a close last night with Will Ilolahia, Aisea Kaifa and Sitili Tupounilia elected to represent the Tongan community.

They will join successful candidates from Niue, Tuvalu, Tokelau, Cook Islands, Samoa and Fiji at the first Auckland City Pacific Island Advisory Board meeting in June.

The successful candidates were:

Cook Islands Hannah Ngatamaine Samson and Alfred Ngaro
Fiji Melissa Lelo and Andrew Namata
Niue Thomas Kauie and Manogi Tavelia
Samoa Feleti Key, Letufuga Canada Alofa, Rev Asora Amosa, Asenati Lole-Taylor and Afamasaga Tuilaepa Robert Leriko
Tuvalu Falekofe Seneka and Fala Haulangi
Tokelau Ioane Iosua
Tonga Will Ilolahia, Aisea Kaifa and Sitili Tupounilia

The advisory board will provide a key link between the council and the Pacific Island community and enable greater consultation and communication between the two.

Councillor John Hinchcliff, chairperson of the Partnership Committee, said the elections had received a great deal of support from the Pacific Island community, with more than 600 people attending the four election nights.

“It demonstrates that these communities are keen to have their say and participate in decisions which affect Auckland city. We are looking forward to supporting and developing this involvement further.”

ENDS

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