Young people pose searching questions for candidates

The forum at the Fale Sāmoa in Mangere was organised by Auckland Diocese’s Justice and Peace Commission with support from Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand and Auckland Catholic Youth Ministry. It brought together young people, community leaders and candidates to discuss issues affecting Pacific communities.

Young people prepared the questions and helped run the three-hour event on September 23 titled “Working for the Common Good of All People”. The forum had the theme of “Hope”.

Deacon Sanele Poluleuligaga, the Commission’s deputy chair, said the youth-led approach was designed to get more young Pasifika people involved after poor voter participation at the last election.

“Because last election, there was poor voting from the young people, because they felt that it was not good,” Deacon Poluleuligaga said.

He said many families are still struggling despite working fulltime.

All major political parties were represented at the forum: Greens co-leader Marama Davidson, ACT’s Henrietta Devo, New Zealand First’s Vicky Hau, National’s Agnes Loheni, Opportunity’s Adam Macrae-Martin and Labour’s Lemauga Lydia Sosene.

Business, jobs and the cost of living were among the sharpest areas of debate. The forum also covered housing, education, climate change, migrant worker exploitation, law and order, faith and values.

Deacon Poluleuligaga said the point of taking the forum into the community was to make sure people felt their concerns were being heard.

“That’s why this forum is very important to me, because people need to come and listen.”

The event also featured presentations from former MP Arthur Anae, from lawyer and Caritas Internationalis member Sala Josephine Stowers-Kolo and Ata Burr, Head of Justice and Peace at Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand.

FULL STORY

NZ’s Pacific voters put political parties on the spot in Māngere forum (By Thomas Tarurongo Wynne/Pacific Media Network)

Last week’s South Auckland election… (Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand/Facebook)