18 Sept 08

PAPALI'I standing for Manukau Electorate

Campaign launch

This Saturday at 11am

Otara Recreation Centre

This Saturday the Family Party will officially launch its campaign for Manukau East through newly appointed candidate, Papali'i Tuifaasisina Poutoa PAPALI'I.

Party leader Richard Lewis has relinquished the seat to make it available to Mr Papali'i.

Papali'i Tuifaasisina Poutoa PAPALI'I was born in 1958 in Samoa: the eldest child of Pailate and Lanuola Papali'i who hail from the villages of Sapapalii and Saleimoa respectively, his family arrived in Otara in 1962. Today, Otara is home to four generations of the Papali'i family.

Having attended the local schools, including Hillary College, he obtained a degree in anthropology at Auckland University before spending 13 years with Housing New Zealand. He is owner/operator of a successful trucking franchise based out of Otahuhu and runs this business with his sons.

The Papali'i family are extremely well known throughout the South Auckland Pacific community and have an extensive history of local involvement through sports, church and community life. Having coached and played at all levels, including having coached the Otahuhu senior rugby team, Papali'i will be drawing on over 40 years of local knowledge in his campaign for Manukau.

"I'm standing to honour the legacy of my father and mother who brought us to New Zealand in search for a better life. Having worked hard and lived and served in this community, I feel compelled to step into the political arena to recover much of the ground that Labour has lost through nearly a decade of poor political leadership that has left many families weak and vulnerable."

"We are all very aware of the problems facing our community. I am convinced that the solution is in coming back to the basics. We need to revive traditional family values and restore strength to the family unit so our children have the best possible start in life. And I'm really excited about bringing that message of hope to the Pacific and wider Manukau East community," says Mr Papali'i.

The campaign launch will take place this Saturday (20th September) at 11am at the Otara Recreation Centre on Bairds Rd. All are welcome.

ENDS

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