March is now officially the Pacific month in the greater Auckland region. It is a month where all things Pacific especially Pacific arts, dance, cultures, foods & flavours are showcased for the rest of the nation to see. Aotearoa New Zealand and tourists from across the world get to see the vibrancy & diversity of Pacific peoples and the value added to the fabric of New Zealand society today. For Pacific people in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and from across the Pacific region, it is a time to be brown and proud.

Numerous forums, movie shows, and art exhibitions with a Pacific focus have sprung up over the years in March. However, the Pasefika Festival at Western Springs and the Secondary Schools Polyfest at Manukau remain the two iconic features of the Pacific month.

When one watches the various performances on stage from traditional to contemporary, at either the Pasefika Festival or at the Polyfest, I am confident that you will agree with me when I describe the Pacific as a nation that is “young, beautiful, and gifted”.

Since the early arrivals from the Pacific islands to the shores of the Land of the Long White Cloud, Pacific people are on a beautiful journey where they have conquered many obstacles and are firmly making Aotearoa, New Zealand their place or home. Our home.

Pacific people have conquered sports with Bryan Williams, Bernice Mene, Inga the Winger, Linda Vagana, the Iceman, Beatrice Faumuina, Valerie Vili, Tana Umaga and Mangere’s very own David Tua. Many more follow in their footsteps.

Pacific people have conquered music with Ardijah, Dawn Raids, the Fuemana’s, Scripe, Savage and many, many more who have become household names in New Zealand, Australia and the USA. And there are many, many more who follow this pathway.

Pacific people continue to make their mark in all areas in academia, business & politics and for a relatively small population they have managed to punch way above its weight in changing the fabric & psyche of New Zealand society today.

All of this despite the many obstacles thrown up by strict border controls, English as a second language, institutionalised racism, cheap fatty turkey tails, corn beef, and lamb flaps, loan sharks, high death rates from smoking, alcoholism, pokie machines, church donations & faalavelaves, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and low wages.

I suspect these challenges will continue to be with us for a very long time but I am heartened to see the younger generation stepping forward to take up these challenges.

Whether New Zealand fully accepts us or not, it matters not. Pacific people are here to stay, and this is our place, our home. Our children will marry their children and those children will be brown, beautiful and gifted and will become the future leaders of New Zealand.

In order to prepare the young generation to take up their rightful leadership role in the future of New Zealand, we must position them carefully to take up their place.

I know of no other way to do this than by ensuring that our young people stay in school, go to university or polytechnic, take up an apprenticeship scheme, or take up a course, and get an education. It won’t happen unless we plan to do this.

Pasefika Festival is our time as a community to plan for the future. We must plan for change. We must plan new strategies to overcome the constant challenges that beset so many of our families. We must plan for success and how to deal with it. After all it is our journey and we must be in control. With those plans, our journey will achieve what every parent wants for their family. Success, joy and happiness. Happy Pasefika Festival everyone.

May I take this opportunity to thank our Pacific community for the wonderful support, encouragement and loyalty that you give to the Labour Party and my fellow Pacific MPs, Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, Charles Chauvel and Carmel Sepuloni. Malo le tapuai, malo le faamalosi. Metaki meaata. Fekaue lahi atu. Malo aupito. Vinaka levu.

Ends.