MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Mayor reaches out to the Pacific

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey is delighted to be joining a Pacific delegation headed by Prime Minister John Key.

He will accompany the Prime Minister and Hon Pita Sharples on a tour of Samoa and the Minister of Pacific Island Affairs Georgina te Heuheu, Tonga Niue and Rarotonga from July 7 to 10.

Other delegates include prominent Westies and former All Blacks Michael Jones and Va’aiga Tuigamala.

Strengthening Waitakere’s ties with the Pacific is top of Mr Harvey’s agenda.

“Pacific peoples make up 15 percent of Waitakere City’s population. They are a vital to the wellbeing of our city.

“This is about strengthening that connection. I want to show solidarity with Pacific communities.”

He also wants to use the trip to draw attention to environmental concerns.

Pacific atolls and lagoons are suffering due to climate change and pollution, says Mr Harvey.

“Climate change is a very real and imminent threat in the Pacific. In some areas its effects are already being felt,” says Mr Harvey.

“It’s unjust that the first nations to feel the effect of climate change are those that contribute the least to causing it.”

ENDS

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