Inaugural Pacific General Assembly of Aotearoa
Pacific leaders of Aotearoa gathered at the Māngere Arts Center, in response to calls for kotahitanga (unity).
On the 20th of May, our Operations Manager Seiuli Tauamiti as well as our Team Lead for Youth, Navigation & Rural services, Mataia Vaofusi Salatielu Tiatia attended the inaugural Pacific General Assembly.
Held at the Māngere Arts Centre, the conference was a historic event for Pacific peoples in Aotearoa and made some significant decisions, namely to support the call of the Kiingitanga for Kotahitanga & Mana Motuhake.
The call was answered by community representatives from Northland, Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch and Dunedin who were unanimous in their views during the Talanoa Fono, where a number of motions were debated.
Speaking at the conclusion of the inaugural Pacific General Assembly Talanoa Fono, the Hon. Aupito William Sio said, “This is a work of love. It is a love for our nation of Aotearoa New Zealand and wanting to ensure that both Māori and Pasefika can contribute to the dreams, aspirations, and vision for a better nation for all peoples.”
“Secondly, it is a love for the next Pasefika generation coming through, especially the more than 20% of Pasefika young people who whakapapa to Māori. We want to see them not only strong in their Māori geneaology and culture, but equally we want them to be strong on their Pasefika genealogies and cultural lens.”
“And finally, this engagement is a love for Māori, their struggles and sufferings over hundreds of years under the hands of the Crown, despite having Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Pasefika need to better understand this history, the history of Māori, and learn from it. This is critically important as we establish ourselves in Aotearoa New Zealand as our permanent home.”
One of our attending Mataia Vaofusi Salatielu Tiatia believes that this was a long overdue conversation between Tangata Moana and Tangata Whenua, and being present at the fono was inspiring as it was a historical moment to watch unfold.
Hon. Aupito William Sio alongside TAT Operations Manager Seiuli Tauamiti (Left) and Youth, Navigation and Rural Services Team Lead Mataia Vaofusi Salatielu Tiatia (Right)