MEDIA RELEASE
5 May 2008

New Samoan Representative for Pacific Island Advisory Committee

Manukau’s Pacific Island Advisory Committee has William Peace as its new Samoan representative.

William was elected at a Samoan community fono hosted by the committee on Wednesday 30 April at the Nga Tapuwae Community Centre in Mangere. William fills the position vacated by Ms Bridget Fa’amatuainu.

The committee has three positions allocated for representatives from Manukau’s Samoan community. The other two Samoan representatives are Fia Turner-Tupou and Vui Kelemete Vitale who was recently elected as PIAC’s deputy chairperson.

Originally from Otara, William is the Practice Manager at the Tamaki Ki Raro Trust based in Mangere and for the last 25 years has worked extensively at various levels and organisations within the community.

“My priorities are families, youth, sport and church. I bring to the committee a wealth of community experience and passion about dealing with core issues that affect our communities today, in particular our youth” he says.

“As a New Zealand born Samoan, I am able to convey a different perspective on some of these issues yet I am also mindful of my cultural values and the individual needs and aspirations of our Pacific communities in Manukau.”

The Pacific Island Advisory Committee was established in 1991 to form a key link between Manukau City Council and the Pacific Community. The 14 member committee is made up of representatives from Manukau’s Samoan, Cook Islands, Tongan, Niuean, Fijian and Tokelauan communities and provides feedback to council on matters affecting the Pacific Island people such as policy, education, economic development and health and wellbeing.

ENDS

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