A recent (repeat) migrant, also voted for Annette King because after an absence of 25 years, had to rely on the advice of a cousin who said she was a good MP and after reading a column by Sir Bob Jones who listed her qualities in suggesting she should take over as leader for Labour weeks before the elections.

By Alan Ah Mu

It’s important to vote so go vote.

That was the message which popped up before the screening of Lucy in the movie theatre, a newspaper, on Samoa Capital Radio and Tuifa’asisina Meaole Keil’s articles in Pacific Guardians – to go with greater appreciation of how society works and the need to take part in it that comes with advancing age.

The word is too few Pacific Islanders vote but since too much is at stake and influenced by the reminders mentioned, we did it.  We voted.

Labour would lose badly the polls said and so it proved, despite the two in our household we gave them their electorate and party votes.

One, a casual worker in the service industry, voted for Annette King and couldn’t decide which party to go for so ticked Labour on impulse.

The choice of party wasn’t pre-planned unlike the choice of candidate.

The other Labour voter is a schoolgirl who followed to the voting booth a fellow Samoan school mate whose sister was an election official of sorts who showed them how to vote.

Both the worker and student voters are recent migrants from Samoa.

A longer resident of New Zealand by two years in our household voted for the Greens both ways impressed by their stress on equality.

All bothered to register and vote because of my urgings to do so, based on the determination to take part, in turn prompted by a realisation that politicians won’t listen to you unless you vote – and the reminders mentioned above.

Even popped into King’s office and got the registration forms for all of us on a walk to the supermarket nearby.

The staffer who handed over the forms said something like, “Stand beside them and make sure they fill them in.”

Knew what she meant.

All manner of things can prevent the filling in of forms and voting.  Like tiredness from work and study, an emotional upset of some sort, a visitor, a programme on TV, a rugby game, etc., etc.

In anticipation of such possibilities got the group to vote on the Monday before deadline.

Anyway as a recent (repeat) migrant, also voted for King because after an absence of 25 years, had to rely on the advice of a cousin who said she was a good MP and after reading a column by Sir Bob Jones who listed her qualities in suggesting she should take over as leader for Labour weeks before the elections.

Certain National would win looked around for another party to vote for and settled on the Maori Party after listening to Te Ururoa Flavell on TV say their priority was Maori interests – and that they had to partner up with whoever is in Government to be listened to.

His practical approach appealed, and something Samoans and possibly other Pacific Islanders might want to follow; in other words form our own political party so our concerns aren’t lost in the list of other priorities in the other parties.

Felt no connection to the other parties and achieved only a slight understanding of what they all stood for.

A female relative did not say who she voted for – only shrieked a dislike and distrust of David Cunliffe because of the shape his face.

Distrust him for a different reason: he comes across as someone whose ambition to be leader seems stronger than a desire to serve.

In any case comments by a nephew who was a party official reinforced a belief that took hold years ago while a Wellington resident the first time – 1970s – late 90s – which is that Labour officials tend to tell you what is best for you and won’t listen when you try to tell them otherwise.

It is an arrogance that in another area, aid to Samoa, has seen millions upon millions of dollars wasted by donor countries like New Zealand.

The only citizens who did not abandon Labour these elections were Maori and Pacific Islanders, analyst Fa’amatuainu Tino Pereira said on Samoa Capital Radio.

Indeed a Samoan man told the station he has always voted Labour since he arrived from Samoa 45 years ago.

Other sources say such loyalty may be on the slide.

One man told Samoa Capital Radio his children voted for Conservatives.

On the other hand a friend in an Auckland electorate emailed to say, “Labour has to realise that they are no longer the party of choice for PIs. They have stuffed PIs for too long and (it’s) time for PIs to get organised and have their own Party.”

“For the Party vote I opted for NZ First ‘coz I believe PIs will get a better deal from Winston and (gave my) electorate vote for the Labour candidate.”

He says National has a “white is right” attitude.

Don’t know about that.

But it’s something to look out for in the days ahead.

Now that we’ve voted and seen the results, sad though they may be, the whole political thing has become more interesting.

By Alan Ah Mu

Winning action for Wellington Samoans against Manawatu Development last Saturday.

As the Wellington Lions capitulated in the ITM cup, the Wellington Samoans ended the rugby season jubilant.

In the last game of the year they wrecked Manawatu Development’s trip to Porirua Park by beating them 42-24 last Saturday.

That win hoisted the team to second place in the Hurricane’s Region tournament.

Eventual winners Wellington Development beat Wellington Samoans earlier in the tournament but the boys rallied to record wins over other rivals Hawkes Bay Development and Manawatu Development yesterday.

Coach Logan Tauiliili was a happy man.

It was the second week his side had played well after their win over Hawkes Bay Development the previous week.

Logan Tauiliili’s Wellington Samoans jubilant at securing 2nd place in its debut season in the Hurricane’s Region tournament. Photo Alan Ah Mu

After going through the Rugby Festival tournament winless, his boys came close to winning the Hurricanes tournament in their first year of taking part.

“And that’s pretty good for us,” Tauiliili said after the game yesterday.

“I’m proud of them, they did very well,” he said.

The win ended a season which started badly in the Rugby Festival tournament.

Wellington Samoans struggled to maintain a stable side as players moved out to represent other teams like Wellington Lions.

“It was hard to get continuity,” Tauiliili said.

Talent was no problem.

“As you can see here we can play.”

Wellington Lions and other age group teams of the region take first pick of players – and that’s how Wellington Samoan Rugby Union (WSRU) wants it to be.

Wellington Samoans is all about developing players for higher honours.

Yesterday in a post-game speech, WSRU president To’omata Frank Collins told the players he did not want to see them back in the team next year.

Next year he wants to see them on television playing in the NPC, To’omata said.

“That’s the use of this thing (Wellington Samoans team),” he said.

“Don’t come here to loaf and look for a wife.”

Tuifa’asisina Meaole Keil

At 2:30pm today, embattled Labour leader David Cunliffe will face media and make a public announcement about his future.

But for me, it’s been a six month wait to put pen to paper and write about this General Election.

Granted it looks as if the dust will take a wee bit longer to settle, but believe this is the right time to share a personal view of the elections, provide a part explanation for such a disastrous Labour result, and what hope is there for us Pacific islanders moving forward.

But first up, a big congratulation to all successful Pacific Island candidates who are now elected Members of Parliament. This 51^st term of New Zealand’s parliament will see seven, possibly eight, Pacific islanders in the Legislative Assembly. An historic feat since Taito Phillip Field became our first Labour MP 21 years ago.

As in any war, there will be casualties, whether by enemy or friendly fire. And in this 2014 elections, Leaufa’amulia Asenati Lole-Taylor became a friendly fire casualty when the NZ First party decided to drop her down from eight, to 16 on their list. It was a drop 5-places too far to see the return of the unconventional lady from the Samoan village of Safa’atoa Lefaga.

There were also the also-rans like: Herman Retzlaff, (Lab), Anahila Suisuiki, (Lab), Jerome Mika (Lab), Mataroa Paroro (NZ First) and others who gave it their all.

While Misa Fia Turner, currently sitting on the borderline, could well make it into parliament if special votes go National’s way. But more on Misa Fia later in our column.

It’s now a week after the elections, Pacific islanders will be celebrating this historic milestone – and rightly so. At the same time, it gives us pause to reflect and assess the calibre and strength of our voice in parliament truly is, from a Labour perspective and ask ourserlves: What can the Labour Party achieve with five Pacific MPs in Parliament?

How important are we, as Pacific MPs, and our Pacific vote to the Labour Party?

Being in opposition for a further three years, is it going to be more of the same to 2017? Or is this a sign of better things to come?

To better understand, one has to reflect upon our history; about how Pacific Islanders got a voice in the Labour Party, it gives us reference points to see that the signs to a disasterous 2014 results was actually not a surprise.

For instance, back in 2012 I started seeing signs of a bad omen. The subtle and concerning signal for me was Labour not moving assertively to reaffirm its historical connection with Pacific communities, more significantly, with us Samoans.

Why this jolted me was it was so out of sync with what Labour did in 2002. In 2002, to commemorate the 40^th Anniversary of Samoa’s Independence, Helen Clark, then Prime Minister went to Samoa to deliver an apology on behalf of New Zealand. She formally and publically apologised for the inept actions of its Colonial administration that resulted in the Influenza epidemic that killed off more than 20 per cent of our population; and the shooting and killing of Mau leader Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III and eleven Mau supporters on 28 December 1929.

Yet, just a mere ten years later, in 2012, Labour decided not to do anything to commemorate Samoa’s Golden Jubilee Independence Celebration for which those Samoans in the Mau Movement gave their lives.

To me, it pointed towards a disconnect between Labour and us Samoans, and from the looks of things, a growing disconnect heading to the 2014 elections.

Further evidence of these concerns is the generation that grew up under New Zealand’s Colonial administration and their children are ageing, but their descendants have little to no knowledge of the historical connection with Labour. They do not know the story and Labour’s intimate and significant role in Samoa’s independence movement.

This younger generation also has a higher proportion in mixed marriages, thus bringing in other relationships that are not necessarily part of the mainstream Pacific psyche which means the historical connection becomes even more diluted.

Another event in 2013 that pointed to a growing disconnect was the Christchurch East by-election.

Poto Williams’ (of Cook Island descent) milestone achievement in winning the by election is of huge historical significance. Yet in celebrating her victory, both the Labour Leader and President failed to mention in their speeches that Ms Williams is the first eveer Pacific electoral MP for the South Island; and the first female Cook Islander to be an elected MP in New Zealand parliament. Also of note was the public ommission by both Leader and President to thank the Samoan Community and its leadership for uniting behind Poto’s campaign. Cunliffe it seemed had forgotten the Pacific contribution in his eagerness to become attractive to middle income voters.

By February 2014, I could see that Labour was totally focused on pursuing middle income voters, and willing to sacrifice Pacific and low income voters if that was the price. Historically, you win middle income NZ, you win the general election, so fair enough, but what concerned me more was that Labour was operating on a “we cannot do anything for our people because we are in the opposition” line.

This mantra toed by our Pacific spokesperson was something that I took not as a defeatist Labour attitude, but more alarmingly, one of surrender way before the election.

What then became a real concern was Labour’s leadership taking Pacific voters for granted. I could see that Pacific voters were given the choice to vote on “tribal” lines instead of voting on issues, as was the case in the 2005 election which Labour won.

To be fair, there were those in high places of the Labour Party that shared my concerns and took seriously my warning of a likely scenario where Pacific voters would vote Labour with their Electorate vote; but gave their party vote to another party. I called this “skimming” the party vote.

As it turned out, the 2014 results showed that other than Mangere, all Labour Electorate MPs did not have a high party vote return for Labour. In short, the very middle income voter the Labour leadership was desperately after, were not inspired to give their vote to Labour. It did not help that, once again, about a million voters decided not to cast their votes. That is also another gross indictment on leader David Cunliffe’s who at the 2013 Labour Conference made a bold promise that “Labour will campaign to inspire the missing 800,000 voters in 2011 to come out and vote for Labour”.

2013 was to be General Election 2014 preparation year for Labour but it was wasted trying to sort out its leadership problems.

Meantime, Pacific leaders who supported Cunliffe became concerned that he was at the heart of all the undermining of Phil Goff and David Shearer. This did not bode well…an ill omen. This was very much part of the Samoan psyche that arises from the proverb “O le ala i le pule o le tautua” (The pathway way to leadership is through service). Cunliffe did not serve them well, therefore he does not deserve to lead.

Not long after Cunliffe became leader he went onto make one public gaff and blunder after another which further reinforced the belief in Pacific leaders (and it appears it also affected “mainstream” New Zealanders), that Cunliffe is someone who’s jinxed.

During the campaign, Pacific voters, as expected, did not get the message from Labour. Also noticeable was a smaller than usual army of volunteers for which Labour is renowned for, helping out. Pacific voters love a conversation that develops a narrative that leads to pathways for action/understanding. Labour left this too late and literally opened the door for others to compete for our people’s attention. In short, Labour found themselves trying to convince their own people to keep the faith instead of attracting new voters.

In essence, the Labour campaign became just a high visibility smile and wave without much of a physical street by street, door by door impact needed to get voters out.

The election results also point to MPs not on the list, but have returned to Parliament by winning their electorates. This surely is not a good omen for Labour.

Furthermore no one is stepping forward to take responsibility for the historic loss. How long will this take to sort out?

And so that begs the question: where to from here? Where has our Labour Party gone?

Labour suffering its second worst defeat in history and with Su’a Viliamu coming back to Parliament with the best performance of any Labour MP/Candidate, likely to keep the Pacific Spokesperson role, does not bode well for our people.

For he to say that we (Labour) just cannot do anything until we are in power is outright surrender. It gives the Government and other opposition parties an open invitation to do whatever they want to our people?

The Greens have been successful in opposition, they have influenced some of the Government’s plans with their own over the past six years, so why can’t Labour?

It is why I do not buy this surrender line from Labour mainly because it has opened the door to other parties to make inroads into the Pacific vote.

Labour does not appear to understand that South Auckland is not the start and end of all things Pacific. Only 30 per cent of Pacific islanders live in South Auckland. In total 40 per cent of Pacific islanders live in the wider Auckland Region and 60 per cent are spread thoughout the country.

Pacific people outside of Auckland are starting to assert themselves as a separate identity with the right to voice their own concerns. Christchurch is a prime example of this and they do not, and will not take on Labour’s surrender position.

I admire the leadership our people in Christchurch are showing. With everything lost and with everything to win, they are now working together to give voice to our people in the Christchurch rebuild, contributing constructively to nation building. Surely our people deserve Labour’s support in their fight? Or should they wait around in their cold damp rental houses earning minimum wages if they have a job, until Labour wins?

One elderly Samoan in Otara said, “I must admit that when we had the Labour candidate at our church conference, he correctly told us about the ‘crap life’ we’re living. Yet he doesn’t need to tell us about it because we’re the experts because we’re living neck deep in the crap. He certainly doesn’t live in it. What we needed him to tell us was a solution and what his Party will do to help us out of this mess.”

This is why the surrender position from Labour has driven some of our community leaders to look at making arrangements with National.

As another community leader puts it, “If Labour is waiting until they win to help us, then what choice do we now have? We are defenceless so we have to do something. I feel like a prisoner trying to make the best deal with my jailer.”

Pacific leaders who are traditionally Labour have to be concerned with the never ending leadership battles in the party. Our people are sick of the blame, defeatist attitudes and genuine lack of leadership and understanding about what Labour constituents want.

This current position from Labour has seen not just Pacific voters placing an each way bet of ‘Electoral Vote Labour’, but ‘Party Vote for another Party’. I have been proven wrong to think that this voting pattern would only apply to Pacific voters. It seems like the majority of voters took an each way bet on Labour hence the significant migration of Party vote to NZ First, National and the Greens.

Peseta Sam Lotu-I’iga, most likely will stay on as Minister of Pacific Island Affairs. So we are likely to see him support proposed changes to the Employment Relations Act (ERA) aimed at further casualizing jobs and keeping wages low.

Peseta goes on about all the success of the ‘Rock Star’ economy that National created from the ashes of the Global Financial Collapse. But he completely ignores the fact that most Pacific people are employed in vulnerable jobs.

The kind of jobs that as soon as there is a whiff of a recession, are the first to go. The very jobs that will see little to no pay rises during the recovery period, even when it goes into the “rock star” phase. The more Peseta goes on about the rock star economy, he must remember that most of his people do not see any rock star pay rises nor new rock star jobs.

Pacific unemployment is still double that of the national unemployment figure. So definitely no rock star, just Pacific hardship on the rocks again for another three years.

Child Poverty is a major problem among our people, and the Government appears to be setting up another task force/advisory group to come up with ways to combat Child Poverty. Another classic John Key talk fest on the way I say.

On Sunday, 21st September, Tangata Pasifika’s Marama Papau did an excellent job interviewing all the newly elected Pacific MPs.

If you watch the episode, you make up your own mind as to what the future holds for us Pacific islanders.

For me, I’ll bet my money on Labour Pacific MPs, Jenny Salesa, Carmel Sepuloni and Poto Williams. These women do not look defeated, they definitely do not look like waving a white flag. These women look like they are ready to step into the ring and fight.

If Labour chooses Su’a William Sio to be their Pacific Spokesperson again, our people will not only be serving three years of hard labour under National, but also three years in maximum security under Labour.

It is very plausible that a possible scenario after 2017 we will have a fourth National government.

Already I can see that happening with National making in-roads into the Pacific vote. Labour must come up with a fresh approach. If it’s more of the same then this arrogance will set off a seismic shift in the Pacific vote.

The Greens and New Zealand First are now definitely on Pacific voters’ radar. Continue with the “we cannot do anything because we are in opposition” line opens the door for these parties to give our people hope.

Hope propels people to take action. Hope is a powerful positive self-motivating driver that will get people out to fight for their families and communities.

Until this happens we are seeing National looking to winning a 4th term and Labour’s electorate strongholds are definitely in their sights.

Now back to Misa Fia Turner. If she doesn’t get in through special votes, I’ll wager that a sitting National MP will retire after the first 12-months to allow Misa Fia into parliament.

That move will allow National to establish a beach-head at Mangere two years out from the 2017 elections. For me personally, I never would have thought Labour would lose its historic connection with Samoa, let alone open itself for a beach-head from National, of all parties, to set-up in one of its strongest electorate forts.

For now Pacific islanders have been sentenced to another three years of hard labour. What we need to decide is whether we make peace with our “jailers” or do we rise from despair and inspire one another with hope.

If we do not stand-up then more hardship and pain will come our way. We have always kept silent and respectful in Aotearoa. And just look around at where our respect and hard work has gotten us?

We must take a look at ourselves and find the courage and hope to keep going.
We will never surrender!
We will never give up!
We shall fight in the hope that we and our children are the ones that shall rise up from poverty.
We shall fight for work to be paid fairly.
We shall fight for life where working hard is a life well lived.
We shall fight for a life that is lived in dignity.
We shall fight for a life that is not reliant on welfare.

Catherine Delahunty with West Papua flag – the Morning Star

“Human rights for citizens to dissent is a critical issue all over the world but it is particularly important in the Pacific and in Aotearoa that we maintain a strong stance on that.” Catherine Delahunty.

Returning Green Party MP Catherine Delahunty joined thousands across Australasia this week protesting against French and local journalists imprisoned by Indonesian authorities in West Papua.

Ms Delahunty told Pacific Guardians she’s protesting because “we believe in human rights and we believe that a genocide is taking place [in West Papua].”

But it’s also out of frustration as it was only in July this year, that all members of parliament, including the government, supported the Green Party’s motion to call on Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, to commit to genuine press freedom in West Papua.

Yet shortly after gaining the unanimous support of parliament, two French journalists, Thomas Dandois and Valentine Burrat, were arrested in West Papua by Indonesian police for allegedly illegally working when on tourist visas.

“The were arrested supposedly for ‘treason’ but we all know they were only trying to make a documentary about the real situation in West Papua. They were interrogated, are still in prison and being threatened with these ridiculous charges.”

Ms Delahunty has continued her call on the New Zealand government to step-in and use its diplomatic resources to advocate for the two French journalists.

But the lack of government response is frustrating.

“This is very frustrating because we have passed this motion for media freedom but the government will not give it teeth,” said Ms Delahunty.

“Without any journalists on the ground, the future for West Papuans and their human rights will continue to be very bleak.

“It is important for New Zealand and Australia to continue to advocate for not only for media freedom in West Papua but also hold Indonesia to account for numerous well documented human rights abuses in West Papua.”

The main push is for New Zealand to become a facilitator in helping West Papua gain its independence. The push therefore is to put pressure on the New Zealand government to put pressure on Indonesia.

West Papua journalist and editor Victor Mambor (second from left) with Maire Leadbeater and members of the West Papua Action Auckland

She admitted that gaining greater New Zealand support for West Papua is tough going as awareness of West Papua and its situation gets very little coverage in New Zealand.

“It’s regrettable that we are still at the stage of trying to get New Zealanders to understand where this country is and what its history is. And why we, as neighbours, have a duty of respect to stand up for human rights,” said Ms Delahunty.

“Human rights for citizens to dissent is a critical issue all over the world but it is particularly important in the Pacific and in Aotearoa that we maintain a strong stance on that.”

The lack of awareness thus far caused her to vent in frustration at New Zealand’s mainstream media, with the exception of Radio New Zealand and Pacific Guardians.

“I’m disappointed that apart from a few of you, the majority of journalists in New Zealand act that this is a non story. And I find it disturbing that they spend a lot of time on celebrity politics and leadership spats rather than the fact that actually more people have died in recent weeks, being killed by the military [in West Papua].

“If it was Fiji there would be more coverage. So this kind of silence has to be broken and we’ve got a long way to go to break that silence around West Papua – just in terms of reporting here in New Zealand!”

With the low level of media coverage, Ms Delahunty’s fight will also be tougher this term in parliament with the loss of Hone Harawira and Maryanne Street who were her main supporters in the House.

However, the way forward remains clear, it is about building cross party consensus on West Papua. She is optimistic that some new MPs including new Pacific MPs could join her cause.

Catherine Delahunty and Pacific Council from Victoria University of Wellington at parliament steps

“I would say to them that this is an opportunity for solidarity. An opportunity not only to support West Papua but also the emerging groups of young people not only in Auckland but also in Wellington.

“In Auckland they have a group called Oceania Interrupted led by Leilani Salesa and others – so we are seeing the emergence of these youth support and it’s a great opportunity for these MPs to participate and support the work that I’m trying to lead in parliament. And I really hope they will help us put pressure on the government put pressure on Indonesia because that is the main avenue to support West Papua.”

But if that comes to nought, at least she gained some wins on Wednesday this week as the Pacific Student Council from Victoria University joined her protest.

“It was really impressive when I was standing outside of parliament thinking it was just going to be me. And then all these young Pacific people with their banners turned up,” she told Pacific Guardians.

“I was delighted they came down in strength with one of their lecturers Teresia Teaiwa. To me one of the exciting things happening in Aotearoa is the involvement of Pacific young people because for many years, its been a few non-government groups, the extraordinary leadership of Maire Leadbeater in Auckland, that when Pacific youth embrace that it will help grow the movement and put pressure on the government to act.”

The long game is about building a consciousness.

“If we can build up a Pacific consciousness about the West Papuan people, I believe it is really important for our region. There is a need to really support the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) to show a lot more courage.

“What we’re up against is the Indonesians having the money to shut down some Melanesian countries who are supportive of West Papua, which is a very, very sad thing for West Papua. But it means we need to build that solidarity in every setting that we can.

“This issue cannot stay under the radar. We are making traction internationally but on the ground, the suffering continues.”

Victoria University lecturer Teresia Teaiwa addressing the protestors (and Johnny Blades from Radio New Zealand recording her speech)

In a report from Radio New Zealand earlier today, Vanuatu’s West Papua Unification Committee has confirmed its conference in Port Vila on the 4th of December following the National Day and flag raising ceremony on 1 December.

The conference is to provide an avenue for the different groupings in West Papua to come to an agreement on a unified bid for membership in the MSG.

A formal membership application by the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation was knocked back by the MSG earlier this year, whose leaders called for a more representative bid.

EFKS Sandringham youth delivering Xmas goodies to refugees at the Mangere centre in 2012.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) today signed a contract with Downer New Zealand Ltd to carry out the rebuild of the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre in South Auckland.

The plan to rebuild the centre was approved by the Government as part of the Refugee Resettlement Strategy in 2013. The Strategy is aimed at delivering better outcomes for refugees being resettled in New Zealand, including increasing the number of refugees in paid employment, increasing their educational achievement and also reducing their long-term dependency on welfare services.

INZ General Manager Settlement, Protection and Attraction Steve McGill says the centre plays a crucial role in helping refugees adapt to their new life in New Zealand but the current facility has exceeded its economic life.

“Improving the centre will help achieve the goals of the Refugee Resettlement Strategy by helping improve the experience of refugees and asylum seekers during their six week stay at Mangere when they first enter New Zealand and help to better prepare them for New Zealand life and their move into the community,” Mr McGill says.  “The current facility accommodates up to 160 individuals who typically spend six weeks onsite where they receive a range of services including improved orientation, English language classes, health screening and mental health support to help refugees resettle.

“A preliminary design for a new and improved facility can accommodate up to 196 beds,” Mr McGill says.

“The build of the new centre will be staged to enable business-as-usual operations to continue during the construction period. The arrangement is aimed at seeing all of the new buildings being operational at the refugee centre in late 2016,” Mr McGill says.

The rebuild project will resolve the existing facility limitations by:
•         contracting with the private sector to design and construct a new centre;
•         consolidating the administration and communal areas at the centre into a new, purpose-built administration block which meets the requirements of a centralised reception programme;
•         providing new, purpose-built accommodation blocks; and
•         re-orientating the onsite buildings to make better use of the available land and provide additional capacity if required .

Source: Immigration New Zealand 

Tomorrow, Pacific Guardians will post its ‘post mortem’ of the 2014 general election.

I have received a number of queries from many Pacific Guardians readers as ‘why the silence’ on Labour’s second worst defeat in history.

Simply put, we have some ‘inside knowledge’ insights that needed to be balanced and referenced with accuracy. Especially as a number of events and personnel changes were part of some of the causal events that contributed to the Labour result.

Many of you will know we predicted this result from 2012 if certain things were or were not done.

The current Labour leadership shambles and resulting cannibalism under Cunliffe as leader was predicted by Rev Featuna’i Liua’ana’s column: ‘Keep Our Friends Close and Our Enemies Closer’ published on 23 November 2012.

We pointed to the seed of distrust planted amongst Pacific leaders as Poto Williams won the Christchurch East by-election in our feature ‘History and Brain Fade lessons for Labour in Christchurch win’ on 6 December 2013.

We even predicted on 27 May 2014 in ‘Political polls and the Pacific blindspot’ that NZ First would bring 11 MPs to parliament if Labour doesn’t pick up its game.

A week later in ‘Peseta and Le’au harvests votes as Labour winks in the Shadows‘. We wrote about increasing distrust in the Pacific about Cunliffe and Labour, and that party votes will migrate to NZ First and National.

Tomorrow, our analysis will point to where and what things went wrong from our Pacific perspective; where they could have gone so different if certain steps were taken.

But we also want to paint the road to 2017. A road that leads to hope.

This is important because the reality for the majority of Pacific islanders/low income New Zealanders is that our issues are now at the complete mercy of the National government. And the majority of us are not part of National’s constituency – people earning $60,000-plus. We expect to see changes to laws and policies reflecting benefits to National’s constituents.

So for the next 3 years, we are on the outer without much hope of a voice in the House. Yes even with an increased number of Pacific MPs, the core message we have been getting from Labour MPs for the past 6 years is this: “We can’t do much while in opposition”. And that’s exactly what our people have been getting – zilch.

That’s not quite true because we know for a fact that the Green Party managed to work with the Government to get 235,00 houses insulated; ensured there is better management of toxic sites in New Zealand; forced an investigation into the SkyCity deal; and playing a key role in getting authorities to investigate ACC privacy breaches. Through their Pacific spokesperson Jan Logie’s ‘Everyone needs the right help’ campaign, it resulted in more funding for the sector and started a select committee inquiry into sexual violence. The Greens have led the opposition in parliament to the GCSB and the Asset Sales. And after years of Green Party pressure, the huge government banking contract will finally be opened up to get better value for money for the New Zealand public. Finally, its only Green MP Catherine Delahunty (now without Maryanne Street and Hone Harawira) who is continuing the fight for human rights and press freedom for West Papua. Now those are things a proactive party and courageous MPs can do in opposition.

It means that for the next 3 years, Pacific leaders and communities need to find out who will actually stand up for us – for real and not just as show ponies or tourists popping up in time for photo opportunities.

No doubt as we head to 2017, many of our Pacific people today may well will feel powerless, insignificant, marginalised and let down. Others will join the few doing deals with our jailers. While for those looking for hope, our article tomorrow will show you that. And over the next three years, Pacific Guardians will continue to water that hope and give our people a united voice for a better New Zealand for Pacific, and for everyone else who wants to join us.

We don’t want much. All we want are equity and justice.

LIST OF RELEVANT BACKGROUND ARTICLES

23/11/2013 – “Keep Our Friends Close and Our Enemies Closer” - Why Labour would lose if Cunliffe becomes leader. Why John Key fears Shearer.
6/12/2013 – “History and Brain Fade Lessons for Labour in Christchurch Win”. Outlined the campaign platform that won Poto Williams the by-election. The platform that was not continued to campaign proper. The lack of Pacific acknowledgement watered the seed of Cunliffe the leader as defined by Rev Featuna’i’s column above.
12/5/2014 – “National, Labour Reveal Strategies in War for ‘Pacific Vote’”.
27/05/2014 – “Political Polls and the Pacific Blindspot”. Predicted NZ First would get 11 MPs from voter migration if Labour doesn’t pick up its game.
5/6/2014 – “Peseta and Le’au Harvests Votes as Labour Winks in the Shadows”. Tells of increased distrust amongst Pacific leadership of Cunliffe and Labour. And predicts voter migration to NZFirst and National more likely.

Kathy and family received a standing ovation from UN leaders after her presentation

Yesterday, a 26 year old poet from the Marshall Islands gave voice to Pacific concerns on climate change at the highest global level.

Selected from over 544 civil society candidates in an open, global nomination process conducted by the UN, Kathy Jetnil-Kijinerspoke during the opening segment of the 2014 United Nations Climate Summit.

And in just over three minutes, Kathy captivated world leaders as she testified to the stark reality of climate change and its impacts not only in the Pacific, but to other vulnerable nations around the world.

“Those of us from Oceania are already experiencing it first hand,” she told world leaders. “We’ve seen waves crashing into our homes…We look at our children and wonder how they will know themselves or their culture should we lose our islands.”

She added, “We need a radical change of course. It means ending carbon pollution within my lifetime. It means supporting those of us most affected to prepare for unavoidable climate impacts. And it means taking responsibility for irreversible loss and damage caused by greenhouse gas emissions.

Pacific islanders want action not words to solve the problem that is climate change

“I ask world leaders to take us all along on your ride. We won’t slow you down. We’ll help you win the most important race of all. The race to save humanity.”

To be selected from amongst 544 nominees globally is an honour. But it is not a surprise that a poet was given the task to voice the concerns of civil society.

Former US President John F. Kennedy proclaimed: “When power leads man towards arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations,” he said. “When power narrows the areas of man’s concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of his existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.”

Kathy on her blog Iep Jeltok, writes her poetry focuses: “on raising awareness surrounding the issues and threats faced by my people. Nuclear testing conducted in our islands, militarism, the rising sea level as a result of climate change, forced migration, adaptation and racism in America.”

Her poem for the UN Summit “Dear Matafele Peinem”, is a new poem written to her daughter.

“Men say, that one day, that lagoon will devour you”

It starts: “Dear Matafele Peinem, you are a 7-month old sunrise of gummy smiles. You’re bald as an egg, and bald as the Buddha. You have thighs that are thunder, shrieks that are lightning. You are so excited for bananas, hugs and our morning walks along the lagoon.

“I want to tell you about that lagoon. That lucid, sleepy lagoon lounging against the sunrise. Men say, that one day, that lagoon will devour you.”

The poem outlines how the lagoon was empowered through climate change to rise up and proceed to devour the small islands of the Pacific.

But there is hope through collective actions according to the poem: “hands reaching out, fists raising up, banners unfurling, megaphones booming.

We are petitions blooming from teenage fingertips.

“And we are canoes blocking coal ships. We are the radiance of solar villages. We are the rich clean soil of the farmer’s past. We are petitions blooming from teenage fingertips.

“We are families biking, recycling, reusing, engineers dreaming, designing, building, artists painting, dancing, writing.

“We are spreading the word. And there are thousands out on the street, marching with signs, hand in hand chanting for change NOW.”

The poem ends with little Matafele Peinem sound asleep on her mother’s whispered promise: “Baby we wont let you down”.

At its conclusion, the UN summit rose to give Kathy and her family a standing ovation. A fair number wiping tears from their eyes.

We will not let you down

Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner was born in the Marshall Islands, a nation of 22 low-lying atolls in the northern Pacific. She studied in Hawaii and California before returning to teach at the College of the Marshall Islands in Majuro.

She is a spoken word artist and co-founder of the environmental NGO in the Marshall Islands called Jo-JiKuM. An organization focusing on empowering youth by educating them on the importance of environmentalism and mobilizing them to work toward solutions to climate change issues.

She told the UK Guardian that she started Jo-JiKum with her cousins.

“Together with my cousins, I’ve started this non-profit organisation for youth and the environment. We’re getting young people involved in the climate change movement and getting people aware of it,” she said.

Kathy and baby Matafele by the lagoon on Majuro

“We’re the ones who are getting affected, but sometimes it’s very frustrating, because it feels like no one is listening.”

She was one of only 38 civil society representatives chosen to present at the UN Summit.

Proud author, Raven David with her first novel: Fractured Light. Photo Alan Ah Mu

By Alan Ah Mu:

A new Samoan writer has emerged.

Raven David, 24, launched her novel Fractured Light last night in her hometown, Wellington.

“It’s definitely a shared book,” said David at the launch.

The Tawa resident credited in particular “two strong men,” brother Arden who gave encouragement – “come on, come on” – and boyfriend, Danny Rimoni, who edited the manuscript and designed the cover.

Arden said they would have liked another month before launching but Raven wanted the event to occur on their father’s birthday.

The writer dedicates her book to her dad, Raymond, who passed away last December, whom she described as “the sunshine of my life.”

“He was the person who always believed in the impossible,” David said.

Relatives – like her mum who flew over from Australia – and friends attended the launch.

Writing Fractured Light  was a dream come true for David. A dream realised even before she finishes a degree in creative writing she’s doing at Victoria University of Wellington (VUW).

She’s in her second year of the degree.

To purchase one of these limited edition hard-cover books email: ravenperrot@hotmail.com.

“The environment and workers’ rights are seriously threatened by these two pieces of legislation, which is why National couldn’t get them passed in the last parliamentary term,” Mrs Turei.

Public protest march to parliament against changes to Part 6A of ERA last year.

The Green Party’s campaign machine hasn’t missed a beat as it ramps up efforts to defend both the environment and workers from National plans to bring in changes to two laws.

The campaign this time seem to aim at securing the lead Opposition party to the 2017 elections status. With Labour soul searching in one of its worst elections and bracing for the upcoming leadership battle, the united Greens march onwards. This time heading the fight against National’s move to make changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) and the Employment Relations Act (ERA) laws.

Green co-Leader Metiria Turei, said National has signalled it will attempt to get planned changes to the RMA and ERA passed as quickly as possible, “in order to please its big business backers,” she said in a statement today.

“The environment and workers’ rights are seriously threatened by these two pieces of legislation, which is why National couldn’t get them passed in the last parliamentary term,” Mrs Turei said.

To be fair, the only reason why changes to Part 6A of the ERA didn’t go through last parliamentary term was John Banks. His vote would have been enough to pass it, but he had to resign when found guilty of filing a false electoral return.

Mrs Turei emphasised the importance that these two laws must not pass if New Zealand is to stay a fair and clean place to live.

“National’s proposed changes to the RMA will remove vital legal protections for the environment, and fundamentally change the Act’s sustainable management purpose to put the interest of business ahead of the environment,” she said.

“The Employment Relations Amendment Bill is designed to weaken workers’ rights, making it much harder to negotiate for better conditions, even removing workers’ automatic right to a break.

“These two Bills show National’s true colours as the party that puts the interests of the few ahead of everything else.

“John Key should honour the respect and love that New Zealanders have for their environment, and honour our workers by abandoning these regressive law changes immediately,” Mrs Turei said.

She pointed examples of how shows of public action were effective in the past, such as forcing changes to proposed mining legislation.

“Alongside political leadership from the Green Party there will need to be more, much stronger public opposition to prevent National passing these and other damaging laws in the future,” she stated.

The sweet smile of success against heavy odds, a feeling that money can’t buy

New Zealanders voted resoundingly to return John Key and the National Party for a third term at government. It won 61 seats, and with its likely coalition partners Act, United Future and Maori Party, will form the next government. It is possible that New Zealand First could be in the mix.

The night also spelled the end for Hone Harawira and his Mana Party when he failed to hold onto the Te Tai Tokerau seat by 1,165 votes. It meant the Internet Party also lost with Kim Dotcom apologising to Mr Harawira tweeting that his brand “poisoned” the Internet-Mana Party.

For the Pacific, their number of politicians will increase by one to seven this term on current provisional results. Mrs Jenny Salesa will be the new face after a comfortable win in Manukau East. Carmel Sepuloni returns as the member for the new Kelston electorate. However, those two successes offset the one Pacific casualty of this election with Le’aufa’amulia Asenati Lole-Taylor too far down the New Zealand First list to make it back.

Carmel Sepuloni celebrates with supporters her return to parliament.

Peseta Sam Lotu I’iga and Alfred Ngaro in the National party head the Pacific list of returning MPs. They will return as the government with Peseta almost certain to continue in his role as Minister for Pacific Island Affairs. Su’a William Sio, Kris Fa’afoi, and Poto Williams return for Labour after comfortable wins in their electorates of Mangere, Mana and Christchurch East.

Last night’s overall results show this was an overwhelming win for National. It’s 61 seats, although one seat short to govern alone, as it needs to provide the Speaker of the House, is historic in the manner of its achievement over a host of distractions, the unique pulling power of John Key, and ultimately the inability of Labour to form a united party and strategy.

It was a disastrous night for Labour to be honest. It may have dropped only two MPs from the last election, but what could be terminal is how to get back its identity and soul. If it doesn’t find an answer to what traditional supporters have been saying for a while now, “where has my Labour Party gone?”, the haemorrhage of party votes so blatant in this election will flow like  river next time. That flow will come from traditional voters, who abstained in 2014, making the effort to come out and vote in three years time.

The Greens will be disappointed. But they would also be positive that even though they lost one member with 13 returning, they would be buoyed that their support remained strong auguring well to their ambition to be the lead opposition party.

The biggest loser on the night was Hone Harawira. He was soundly beaten in Te Tai Tokerau which spelt the end of the Mana Party from the House, and also the Internet Party.

OVERALL RESULTS

National Party           61 seats

Labour Party             32 seats

Green Party               13 seats

NZ First Party            11 seats

Maori Party               02 seats

Act NZ, Party             01 seats

United Future           01 seats

Total votes                 2,112,522