By Poto Williams

The Labour Party Pacific caucus has welcomed Jenny Salesa of Manukau East and Carmel Sepuloni of Kelston, successful MP’s in the recent General Election and reflects the high calibre pacific candidates that contested including those who were unsuccessful, Jerome Mika, Lemalu Herman Retzlaff and Anahila Kanongata’a-Suisuiki

Salesa and Sepuloni join Poto Williams (Chch East), Kris Faafoi (Mana) and the head of the caucus Su’a William Sio (Māngere) that provides not only a good representation across Pacific nations but coverage across the country as well.

While final counts are yet to be confirmed, the National party only have 2 Pacific MP’s, Peseta Sam Lotu Iiga and Alfred Ngaro, while Fia Turner waits to see if she is successful on the list.

Sepuloni returns to Parliament where she can renew her commitment to improving educational and health outcomes for marginalised and vulnerable groups. Salesa brings a strong sense of advocacy for a fair and just society as well as opportunities for all New Zealanders with a wealth of public sector experience and a strong background in community contribution.

The head of the Pacific caucus Sua William Sio is excited with the team and its prospects. “its historic and it’s a step in the right direction. Its a new beginning which is a step towards achieving our ultimate dreams and aspirations. Making sure we have good people at the very top”.

The members of the 51^st Parliament will be sworn in 20^th October 2014.

The announcement by Social Development Minister Paula Bennett of 157 people taking up the Government’s ‘$3K to Christchurch’ scheme is a concern for sectors of the Pacific community.

Last month, NZ First’s Le’au Asenati heard first hand from Pacific people in Christchurch about their concerns.

She told Pacific Guardians, “The message that I was given by the people of Christchurch at a meeting held at Woolston is that: ‘This $3k scheme is an intended and well planned insult to our people. The Minister is telling the rest of New Zealand, that she would rather pay for people from other regions to come and do the work, rather than offering it to 1,000 people in Christchurch’.

“There is quite a mixture of experienced local residents in Christchurch who would like to take up the offer themselves.”

Government figures show that most of the jobseekers are from the Southern, Nelson, Wellington and Bay of Plenty regions. So far the Government’s invested $471,000 since the scheme began on 1 July.

The 157 people announcement said Le’au Asenati “is a stab into the hearts of the Cantabrians who have been fighting for some relief not only on their properties’ insurance, but also for jobs. The $471,000 is a lot of funds that would benefit some of the Christchurch local unemployed residents.”

However, Ms Bennett believes the $3k to Christchurch scheme “is proving a win-win for beneficiaries and the Canterbury region as it rebuilds” but cautions it is early days yet.

She added, “Most of the jobseekers have been employed in construction with 91 jobs. Other industries benefiting from the scheme include retail, transport, manufacturing, administration and support services.”

Another aspect she is pleased about is the number of young people, 50 of them aged between 16-24, taking up the opportunity and making the move to Christchurch.

However, Ms Poto Williams, the MP for Christchurch East told Pacific Guardians there are problems surfacing already.

“It is indeed early days as the Minister states but already we are seeing some problems which were likely not considered when the Minister threw this policy together. Namely what kind of support can these people get when the move to Canterbury does not go well, such as when the employer uses the 90 day bill to end their employment arrangements?

“Many of the people she describes as having taken up this offer come to the region knowing no one and unable to seek the appropriate support, should things not go well.

“And once here, and having used the $3k, there is no offer of money to help return home” if things turn to custard.

Already her Christchurch office has recorded such a case.

“Our office has had one query from a person who took advantage of the $3k to Canterbury and now finds themselves without a job. That’s not the outcome we want for our job seekers and I expect more from the Minister’s department on this.”

Community leader Tuifa’asisina Mea’ole Keil is greatly concerned with a possible fall-out for people in the scheme.

“The Minister does not mention the unemployed people of Christchurch. Outsiders being given a $3K handout to go to Christchurch and compete for their jobs must be going down like another ton of bricks on the unemployed workers in Christchurch.

“We have seen how foreign workers have been exploited in the Christchurch rebuild, stay tune for the next instalment – Kiwi workers exploited, starring the $3K group.”

He told Pacific Guardians the government is trumpeting the logistics of people moving there but silent on their employment status.

“The Minister goes to great length to point out that the people on the scheme have found accommodation, but she is deathly silent on whether these people now have jobs. The omission is deafening.”

Having spent nearly two months camped in the Christchurch region to help Poto Williams win the November Christchurch by-election, Tuifa’asisina knows the mood and situation of the Pacific community well.

He said the $3k scheme and the recent announcements by Ms Bennett would be hard for them to take.

“The earthquake knocked these people down to their knees. Now Minister Paula Bennett is serving them dirt and dust for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This is disgraceful  by the Minister not only to the people of Christchurch but the ‘$3k imports’ who are treated like disposable commodities and only to end up dumped and abandoned in Christchurch.”

Christchurch East MP, Ms Poto Williams says families are at the heart of Labour’s Christchurch Housing policy announced earlier today.

“We are ensuring our families will be able to afford a decent place to live by building 3,000 affordable rentals and including 400 temporary emergency homes for the most in need,” she told Pacific Guardians.

“We will also increase the accommodation supplement to match South and West Auckland rates which will give $35 to $50 more to families each week. This will make a difference for our people, bringing more homes and more affordability to Canterbury.”

Labour’s Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford promised that if his party wins the election, they will build 400 new homes “in the first six months in Government” to be used as temporary emergency housing for families in need.

“Too many people in Canterbury have fallen through the cracks and are in their fourth winter in substandard or overcrowded housing. We will provide secure, warm, dry housing and support to help them find longer- term affordable accommodation.”

Ms Williams added, “We believe the only way to relieve the housing crisis is to build houses and that’s what Labours policy will do.” She summarised the five pillars the  housing policy is based on:

1. 10000 affordable homes built over the first 4 years we are in government, through Kiwibuild. We want for kiwi families to be able to afford a home of their own.
2. 100 temporary emergency homes built in the first 3 months with a follow up 300 homes to support those most vulnerable. There will be social work support to help families get back on their feet
3. 3000 affordable rentals which when the housing crisis is past, will then be on sold through Kiwibuild, with tenants have the first refusal
4. Adjust the accommodation supplement to match South and West Auckland which could mean an extra $35 to $50 per week.
5. Plans to use great urban design to bring people back to living in the CBD and renewal of the local iconic communities such as New Brighton

For more detail: www.labour.org.nz/canterburyhousing

 

Housing Minister Nick Smith’s admission that Christchurch’s housing shortage is unlikely to improve any time soon despite new home approvals being at a record high is further proof that National has been too slow in responding to the city’s housing crisis, Labour’s Christchurch Housing spokesperson Poto Williams says.

“On one hand Dr Smith has been talking up the number of consents being approved, on the other he is conceding the housing market is expected to ‘remain tight until 2018’.

“The fact is there are still people living in garages and in vans, while hundreds more continue to put up with unnecessary hardship on a daily basis as a result of his government’s failure to get the residential rebuild underway.

“My electorate office alone knows of 48 people waiting to move into warm and dry accommodation. They are currently living in cars, or being put up by friends in lounges and garages.

“In April last year the Ministry of Social Development had 97 people classified as Priority A on its waiting lists and 194 as Priority B.

“In March this year the numbers had increased to 272 people on the Priority A list and 223 on Priority B.

“The situation is not getting better, it is getting worse.

“Dr Smith is urging tenants being overcharged or living in substandard housing to approach the Tenancy Tribunal. That’s all well and good, but when you are desperate for a roof over your head you are hardly going to kick up a fuss.

“Housing is the number one issue in Christchurch. It’s about time the government did more than come here, sympathise and leave. It needs to put a lot more effort into getting a lot more homes built.

“Labour would tackle the crisis head on and build 10,000 affordable homes in Canterbury over the first four years of the KiwiBuild programme, partner with the local community to revitalise New Brighton, and investigate the use of Red Zone homes as rental properties or relocate them where safe and feasible.”

Contact:  Poto Williams 021 477 488

 

A Research project by the University of Canterbury (UC) to investigate how New Zealand’s work-family law can better support low-wage workers has raised concerns from the Pacific community.

The concern is the omission of the Pacific from the “low-wage worker category” implying they are not included as a cohort in the research.

Such an omission would be catastrophic for the Pacific as it means their needs will not be taken into account when the group’s findings and recommendations are tabled.

Christchurch East MP, Ms Poto Williams is alarmed about the implications.

“It is crucially important to remember that any discussion on how to support low-wage workers in Aotearoa New Zealand, must look at the Pacific cohort in their data capture,” she told Pacific Guardians yesterday.

“From the brief provided by University of Canterbury and quoted in Pacific Guardians 20 May 2014, it would appear that Associate Professor Masselot and Dr Malinen, have carved out of their research the very group that this work would be most valuable for, Pacific people generally and specifically Pacific women.”

The research called, ‘Low Wage Workers Project’ is a joint initiative involving the UC’s Associate Professor Masselot and Dr Sanna Malinen and Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) researcher Dr Amanda Reilly.

They will investigate how legal institutions can better support low-wage workers in work-family reconciliation. Currently, New Zealand’s work-family law favours middle class mothers. However, due to social and demographic changes including increasing female employment rates, New Zealand’s ageing population, and evolving workplace arrangements, it means “work-family reconciliation” is a problem for a growing number of workers.

According to the UC statement, “Research shows that low-wage workers with family responsibilities are not a homogenous group. One size does not fit all. While some recommendations may be general, others have to be tailored to specific groups.”

The research team’s end goal is to generate practical recommendations both for law reform and on how low-wage workers can be better supported within the existing legal framework.

But for Ms Williams, “I would like to read the research to see if there is a reason that the Pacific cohort are not included, though I can’t on the face of it see why that might be the case.

“Redressing work life balance or work-life reconciliation, as it is termed in the press statement, would need to include the ‘how’ Pacific people differ in their approach to recreation and leisure from other New Zealanders, including their time attending to faith and family activities.

“It would be of huge benefit to Pacific People to have this articulated and hopefully acted upon in the work place.”

She added, “I would welcome the researchers contacting members of our Pacific Academic community for guidance in how to work with Pacific subjects and hope that future research reflects our place in New Zealand society.”

Getting the right data to formulate targeted recommendations will ensure development of strong policies to address the needs of low-wage workers have a greater chance for success and benefit New Zealand as a whole.

“New Zealand’s economic goals include improving employment rates, reducing dependence on benefits and making full use of New Zealand’s talent pool.

“Low wage workers with family responsibilities need, and deserve, improved support so that they can contribute to these goals,’’ according to Associate Professor Masselot.

Queries sent to UC yesterday by Pacific Guardians are as follows:

1. Is the Pacific cohort included in the research?
2. If no, why not?
3. If yes, (i) does it include the Pacific generally, and (ii) women specifically; (iii) in redressing work-life reconciliation will the research look at the “how” Pacific people differ in their approach to recreation and leisure from other NZers, including their time attending to faith and family activities? (iv) will researchers contact our Pacific academic community for guidance on how to approach our Pacific communities?

A reply from UC has yet to be received.

Ed’s note: The follow-up article with UC reply is available here

 

 

 

Labour Leader David Cunliffe may have refreshed his 2014 caucus and front bench going into the September election campaign, but absent is any Pacific highlight.  Su’a William Sio remains ranked on 13 while Kris Faafoi is listed at 25 and Poto Williams on 33.

In a statement this morning, Mr Cunliffe said, “Labour is refreshed and ready to take on National and win the election”.

“I am pleased to announce that Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford will join the front bench and pick up the transport portfolio. It shows the importance Labour places on affordable housing for all New Zealanders.

“Grant Robertson has the Economic Development portfolio. Grant is a senior member of Caucus and will take on one of the most crucial roles of the campaign of jobs and economic growth.

“Grant will be supported by Trevor Mallard who moves to the second bench and takes on Associate Economic Development as well as Immigration. Trevor is one of our most experienced and skilled MPs and his full range of talents will be used this election.

“Nanaia Mahuta will take on Māori Affairs and move up one place. She will lead the Māori Caucus and oversee the job of winning the Māori seats back for Labour.

“Jacinda Ardern also moves up one to five.

“Other big movers are Andrew Little, who has done the heavy lifting in the Justice and Labour portfolios, and returning MP Kelvin Davis who comes in at number 22 and takes on associate roles in Regional Development, Education, Corrections and Police.

“Labour is refreshed, united and ready to fight this election,” David Cunliffe says.

One of the Pacific’s guardian voices against problem gambling will be silenced on 30 June 2014.

Mapu Maia, the Pacific Unit inside the Problem Gambling Foundation (PGF) will cease to exist as a result of the government’s health ministry decision to cut funding to PGF.

A decision Mapu Maia manager, Mrs Pesio Si’itia told Pacific Guardians earlier today is a major backward step to addressing problem gambling for Pasifika communities.

“It’s a sad day for our clients, a sad day for our Pasifika people that Mapu Maia, at this stage, will no longer exist from the 1^st of July.”

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne defended the decision saying it is part of a review process the ministry instigated in 2012 and is not a form of government intervention.

But Green MP Ms Denise Roche said that is not so.

“The Government cut to funding for the Problem Gambling Foundation must be seen as payback for its opposition to the SkyCity deal,” Ms Roche said.

“Smaller problem gambling service providers haven’t been able to challenge the gambling industry for fear of losing their funding.

“This decision by the National Government shows that the smaller organisations were correct in their assumption that standing tall against the gambling industry would lead to funding cuts.”

Christchurch East MP, Ms Poto Williams told Pacific Guardians,  “I think this [decision] compromises the very good work and relationships that the Foundation has in the wider community and I would want an explanation from the Minister of Health as to why this new provider [yet to be named] was awarded the contract over them.

“And is it because the Foundation has always had an advocacy role and the government did not like the criticism against the Sky City Pokies for convention centre deal.”

Mrs Pesio Si’itia said problem gambling services will still be provided through community providers but effectiveness for Pasifika communities will be reduced through Mapu Maia’s termination in two main areas.

“When PGF closes it will mean the closure of its 12 offices and 11 outreach clinics nationwide. Not only will it mean a familiar network will be cut for people seeking help; but it also means the information and connections that we have built up nationally and internationally for more than 20 years will be lost.”

From the Year 2000, Mapu Maia has seen more than 25,000 people and their families providing help and solutions to their gambling addictions.

The second area which is of equal importance is the loss of the Pasifika voice at the coalface when problem gambling developments are discussed locally, nationally and internationally.

“Because we are part of PGF, we sit around tables and contribute to discussions that feed into policy developments and decisions before they become programs or projects for implementation.

“In that position, we advocate and make sure our Pasifika voice is taken into account whether it’s at local or central government level. Information which we then feed back to our communities and sector.”

Essentially what will be lost through Mapu Maia’s demise according to Mrs Si’itia:

• The voice of Pasifika in terms of problem gambling policy
• The voices of Pasifika leaders addressing inequality around problem gambling for Pasifika people
• The voice of Mapu Maia representing Pasifika on decision making tables around what happens inside communities such as where gambling machines and pokies are allowed to go and where they shouldn’t go
• Five of Mapu Maia’s ten staff will lose their jobs. Combined, that will be more than 30 years worth of experience dealing specifically with problem gambling in the Pasifika sector

It is why the loss of Mapu Maia according to Mrs Si’itia should be a concern to the community and leaders.

“During our time, we’ve always gone out there and rally our communities to have their say. We’ve questioned our MPs and leaders and informed them about how Pasifika would be affected by decisions being made.”

This is evident against the SkyCity convention centre initiative.

“PGF and Mapu Maia have been major opponents to the harm of pokies to consumers, we’ve been very vocal about that in our community about the harm caused by SkyCity and pokie machines. If that is why we’re being silenced then its up to our community to form their opinion on that.”

She hopes the community will rally to their support.

The best scenario she says would be for the Health ministry to reverse its decision; or there is a way to keep Mapu Maia alive.

“I’m just so passionate about problem gambling because it affects our people so much. I hate to see our people lose a strong voice in this area because we deserve to be represented where we are the highest risk segment of the population.”

The statistics are revealing. It provides evidence as to the extent and scope of harm problem gambling causes within vulnerable communities such as Pasifika.

Māori and Pacific adults are between 3.5 and 4 times more likely than adults in the total population to be problem gamblers. That is because they are more concentrated in higher decile areas (8-10) where there are more pokie machines.

For the Pacific population, one problem gambler affects 10 to 15 others in his centre of influence. And they are six times more likely to be affected than any other group to be at risk.

In 2012, Department of Statistics figures show that a Pacific islander spends on average $13,465 a year on gambling machines. Top of the Pacific list are Samoans making up 45-percent, Tongans (20%) and Cook Islanders (18%).

In the three months from January to March 2012, the figures show Manukau gambling machines took in nearly $16million. That is an estimated 25 per cent of the total takings in the Auckland region, and more than what machines in Auckland City ($15,553,498) raked in. While nationally, the total takings from gambling machines for the period were $203,651,845.73.

 

Related articles

• Govt slashes problem gambling funds
• Pasifika MPs urged not to support casino deal
• Anti-gambling body loses Govt funding

 

A lot of pictures have come through Pacific Guardians tweetdeck and email. It was hard to settle on our pick of the pics. Even though it was international women’s day, John Key and his coconut won narrowly over Hekia’s halleluyah performance down at Porirua’s Creekfest. Just goes to show why he’s New Zealand’s most popular Prime Minister in this generation.

A gallery of our shortlisted pics from Saturday’s Pacific events.

 

 

Twitter / PotoChchEast: Ruth Dyson, Megan Woods and ….

New MP for Christchurch East, Ms Poto Williams with colleagues Megan Woods and Ruth Dyson working late tonight on behalf of their constituents.

Pacific Guardians received this tweet from Ms Williams as they put their heads together at the Woolston Club. The Labour trio are well experienced at putting together submissions in these situations as revealed in parliament yesterday. That for the Earthquake recovery, Labour MPs had made 212 requests. 120 by Ms Dyson and 63 by Ms Williams.

We will bring more updates from Christchurch’s Pacific community as they come to hand.

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By Pacific Guardians

November 2013 was  a month of historical significance. There were four events covering 174 years that stood out on the global scale.

Two of them political (John F. Kennedy, and Poto Williams), an entertainment marvel (Dr Who) and then there was Rev John Williams, the bringer of the Good News to the Pacific in the 1900s.

First off the list is 22 November. It was the day charismatic United States President, John F. Kennedy (J.F.K.) was assassinated.

It was a day the U.S.A. was brought to a standstill, while shockwaves reverberated around the globe as the reality of the tragedy sunk in.

In 2013, fifty years on, J.F.K. still stopped the country, a plethora of conspiracy theorists bring forth new versions of the tragedy, while emotional displays from Americans remain just as strong.

Second off the list, is in the entertainment front. Just one day after the J.F.K. event, on 23 November, Dr Who, the iconic British science fiction TV series hit the small screen.

The programme over the years has influenced generations. Along the way it is listed in the Guinness World Records as the longest-running science fiction television show in the world. It is the “most successful” science fiction series of all time and its 50th anniversary episode ‘The Day Of The Doctor’ is officially the most watched British TV drama in 2013 having drawn overnight ratings of 10.2million viewers on November 23. Since then, a further 12.8million people have watched the episode. Another perspective is there were 1.27million requests on BBC iPlayer, 24 hours after its premiere. That means it broke the record previously held by the London Olympic’s opening ceremony in 2012.

But for the Pacific islands, the majority of its people making up the microcosm in Aotearoa, New Zealand, there are two events that match J.F.K. and the Doctor for significance.

One of them happened 174 years ago, on 20 November 1839 in Vanuatu, a group of islands then known as Espiritu Santo when it was claimed for Spain by Portuguese navigator Fernandes de Queirós in 1605. A name that was changed three hundred years later, in 1906, to the New Hebrides by the British and French Condominium that managed them.

But of significance is that on the 20^th of November 1839, a white man was seen on the beach of Erromango running for his ship. Alas, he was chased down, killed and then eaten by the natives.

He was Reverend John Williams and at the time was one of the more well known missionaries sent by the London Missionary Society to evangelize the South Seas region.

As the story goes, John and his wife Mary established the good news in many Polynesian islands. But they stood out and were greatly loved because they learned their languages and customs in converting them to Christianity.

Their first missionary post was established on the island of Raiatea in the Society Islands group. From there, they worked their way along a 2,000 mile Polynesian island chain landing on Aitutaki, one of the Cook Islands atoll in 1821, where they used Tahitian converts to carry their message to the Cook islanders.

In 1830 they were the first to introduce Christianity to Samoa. Arriving on their vessel the ‘Messenger of Peace’, they were welcomed into the village of Sapapalii by King Malietoa Vainu’upo who according to Samoan legend was waiting for a ‘Messenger from the one God’ and John Williams and his ‘Messenger of Peace’ was seen as the fulfillment of the prophecy.

John and Mary together with other missionaries from London preached the Good News and were able to affirm every known island along the 2,000 mile line had received the Gospel. He left Polynesian ministers at several of these outposts.

In 1834, he returned to Britain, where he supervised the printing of his translation of the New Testament bible into the Rarotongan language. They also took to Britain a Samoan, named Leota who was able to live as a Christian in London. At the end of his days, Leota was buried in Abney Park Cemetery having recorded his adventure when he left Samoa with the Williamses.

While in Britain, John Williams published the book “Narrative of Missionary Enterprises in the South Sea Islands”, which raised the profile and popularity of the region in Britain. As a result, he roused huge interest wherever he spoke and with his book selling well, fresh funds poured in allowing him to make further mission trips.

He returned to Polynesia in 1837 where his deeds and media reports about him gained him fame in Congregational circles. That was until the 20th of November 1839 when he was killed. An incident that also increased his fame and became an inspiration to numerous other missionaries to venture to the islands. Several mission boats were named after him.

But it wasn’t until 170 years later that his legacy revisited Vanuatu.

In 2009, Charles Milner-Williams, 65, of Hampshire and 17 members of his family visited Vanuatu.

At a jungle clearing on the island of Erromango, descendants of the cannibals that killed Rev Williams 170 years earlier were bowing in apology to Mr Milner-Williams for having eaten his great, great, great grandfather.

At that 2009 ceremony, Mr Milner-Williams recounted the events that led to his great, great, great grandfather’s demise to the BBC who traveled with the British group to record the event.

“John Williams turned and ran towards the sea. They caught up with him on the sea shore.

“They clubbed him and shot him with arrows and he died there in the shallows.

“It was a Royal Navy ship that went back to the island. The islanders then said that yes, they had killed and eaten both [Rev James] Harris and Williams.”

In the ceremony, islanders bowed before Rev Williams descendants, grasping their hands, clearing their consciences of past deeds.

Mr Milner-Williams also agreed to accept responsibility for the education of a seven-year-old girl who was ceremonially handed to him in exchange for the loss of his great, great, great grandfather.

The reconciliation event marked the 170th anniversary of the death of Williams and Harris.

And according to Mr Iolo Johnson Abbil, president of Vanuatu, “Erromango needs it very much”.

He told the BBC, which showed the ceremony on Inside Out, BBC1: “People always look upon them that they killed a missionary.

“They think that it has a sort of curse on Erromango and that’s why it’s very important for them to have this reconciliation.”

Back in 1839, the news of Rev Williams’ death was greeted with much sorrow in the Pacific islands. Appropriately, a memorial stone was erected on the island of Rarotonga and is still there.

There are stories that the largest island in the Cook Islands group, Rarotonga, was discovered by the Williamses. And that Rarotonga held a special fascination for Rev Williams.

Which brings us to another November event of historical significance – one that occurred on 30 November 2013.

It was when Poto Williams became the first Pacific islander to win a South Island electorate seat to enter parliament.

But more significantly, she rewrote the history books becoming the first Cook Islands woman to be elected into New Zealand’s parliament.

In the lead-up to the by-election last week, she was well aware of the historical implications.

“If I win, I will become the first Cook Islands woman to be a member of parliament in this country,” she told the Pacific Guardians.

She said that will be a proud day for Cook Islanders in New Zealand and also for her villages back home in the Cook Islands.

“My father is from the village of Tukao, Manihiki while my grandfather’s house is in the village of Titikaveka in Rarotonga,” she said.

Rarotonga, a place dear to Rev John Williams and where his banner of looking out for the best interests of Pacific islanders is taken up by another Williams, into New Zealand’s hall of power.

 

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• Facts From a Map of Vanuatu
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