TAC

Tongan Advisory Council Media Release

11/09/2008

Tongans pleased to have representation high on Labour Party List

At number thirty-five on the new Labour Party list is newcomer Carmel Sepuloni, former Manager of Equity at University of Auckland. She is of Tongan, Samoan and Pakeha ethnicity. Chair of Tongan Advisory Council, Melino Maka states: “Sepuloni is a Tongan name. Carmel is of Tongan descent. She is proud to have links to Vava’u and we are proud to have her so high on the list.”

University-educated Sepuloni is known for her community work with young Pacific leaders. Although relatively young, she has had a long career supporting Pacific students to learn, beginning at BEST Training working with youth at risk, teaching in Samoa and mentoring and supporting Pacific students to achieve at tertiary level.

Like the majority of Pacific peoples born here in New Zealand, Carmel Sepuloni belongs to multiple ethnic groups. Tongan Advisory Council member, poet Karlo Mila says: “Carmel represents the changing demographic of the Pacific community. She is an advocate for the next Pacific generation. This is especially important when the majority of Pacific people in this country are youthful and are born here in New Zealand. It is so critical that we have a voice.”

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