Su’a William
SIO
Pacific Island Affairs Spokesperson
MP for Mangere
23 November 2012 MEDIA STATEMENT
Minister of Pacific Island Affairs fails Pacific education
“A rift between senior Pasifika leaders and the Minister of Pacific Island Affairs is the result of the failure of this
Government to prioritise Pasifika people and their educational aspiration,” said Su’a William Sio, Labour’s Spokesperson
for Pacific Island Affairs.
“Le Afioga Galumalemana Alfred Hunkin has today resigned as a member of the Pacific Advisory Council to Hekia Parata in
protest over the meaningless 2012 Pacific Language Framework strategy and the Pasifika Education Plan 2013 - 2017
hastily launched yesterday.
“I’m sad this has happened but I understand completely how this high chief of the Samoan community must feel after
serving 14 years on the Council advising governments on the value of Pasifika languages.
“He knows that this government is only paying lip service to Pasifika people. He knows the old adage of ‘Ua togi le moa
ae u’u le afa’ applies exactly with this situation. The Government has offered the Pasifika Education Plan 2013 - 2017
as a gift, but in reality it has no real meaning for Pasifika people.
“The community is calling for successful futures for our children and using Pasifika languages in the learning is a
strong pathway for Pacific learners.
“The latest resignation follows RAISE PASIFIKA pulling out of a community initiative made up of teachers, researchers
and parents from Government discussions over the Pacific Education Plan.
“They walked away from the plan because they sensed the disingenuous nature of this Government towards Pacific
aspiration.
“This Government continues to fail to recognise that if Pacific people succeed, New Zealand will succeed,” said Su’a
William Sio.
ENDS