Page 9 - IB Nov 2017

Women Climate agenda to include Gender Talks focus on action plan
Politics
gender equality: P15 for human rights: P17

eign buyers from purchasing existing New
Zealand homes, reducing immigration by
up to 30,000 people a year and reviewing
and reforming the Reserve Bank Act.
“As a priority, we will restore fund-
ing to the health system to allow ac-
cess for all, ensure all Kiwis can live in
warm, dry homes, take action on child
poverty and homelessness, crack down
on foreign speculators, clean our rivers,
and strengthen efforts to tackle climate Jenny Salesa Carmel Sepuloni Kris Fa’afoi Aupito William Sio
change and the transition to a low carbon
economy,” Arden said after the deal was Pacific MPs win big
signed. “We will focus on sustainable
economic development, supporting our
regional economies, increasing exports, FOUR Pacific people have been appointed one of the founders of a community health
lifting wages and reducing inequality.” ministers after winning huge majorities in provider in Auckland as well as through
Under the deal New Zealand First will their electorates in New Zealand’s recent her involvement in implementing and
have four cabinet positions and one under- elections. spreading to other cities an evidence-based
secretary role, with portfolios to include The appointments have been seen as a health initiative developed in the US state
defence, infrastructure, regional develop- reward for the Pacific community’s loyalty of Michigan.
ment, children, seniors and internal af- to the Labour Party since the 1950s. Carmel Sepuloni (Samoan-Tongan heri-
fairs. Of course the deal was signed after Two of the ministers will serve in Cabinet tage) - Minister for Social Development;
Peters – forever the showman – announced while two more have portfolios outside. Disability Issues. Associate Minister for
his intention to back Ardern in a live tele- Within the Pacific communities in New Arts, Culture and Heritage; Pacific Peoples.
vision interview. Peters served as Deputy Zealand there is a renewed confidence Sepuloni, a former teacher, was first
PM and Foreign Affairs Minister under in the future despite restrictions Ardern elected to Parliament following the 2008
Labour’s Helen Clark from 2005-2008. has placed on immigration and property election , becoming New Zealand’s first MP
But before that in 1996 to 1998 he buying. of Tongan descent. In the 2011 election,
served as deputy prime minister under Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni won the seat of Waitakere on the
a National-led government. Labour was Sepuloni, who is of Samoan-Tongan official count with an 11-vote majority over
first in power from 1935 to 1949, when it heritage, said the number of Pacific Island incumbent National MP Paula Bennett,
established New Zealand’s welfare state. ministers showed the importance the new who subsequently requested a judicial
It governed from 1957 to 1960, and government placed on New Zealand’s recount, which resulted in Sepuloni los-
again from 1972 to 1975, but only stayed Pacific communities. ing her seat in Parliament. She returned
in for one term each. In government from The two Pacific people in the Cabinet are: to Parliament in 2014 as the member for
1984 to 1990, Labour privatised state as- Jenny Salesa (Tongan heritage) - Minister Kelston.
sets and reduced the role of the state in the for Building and Construction; Ethnic Com- Prior to being re-elected to parliament,
economy. For investors and immigrants, munities; Associate Minister of Education; Sepuloni was Chief Executive for a Pacific
the new ruling coalition will be observed Health; Housing and Urban Development. disability, mental health and older persons
with caution for some time now that its Salesa was elected from Manukau and NGO called Vaka Tautua.
leaders have declared New Zealand is not has advocated a fair and just society as Ministers outside Cabinet from the
for sale to foreign interests. well as opportunities for all New Zealand- Pacific are:
Ardern announced plans to slash immi- ers. She has had 20 years’ experience in Kris Fa’afoi (Tokelau heritage) - Minister
gration and focus on regional development policy as a funder and specialist in the of Civil Defence; Commerce and Consumer
and job creation – a move which will hit Health and Education sectors. Affairs; Associate Minister of Immigration.
non-resident Asian and Pacific investors Salesa was formerly the Principal Ad- Aupito William Sio (Samoan heritage)
hard. “We have agreed on banning the visor Pacific at the Tertiary Education - Minister for Pacific Peoples; Associate
purchase of existing homes by foreign Commission. She also has grassroots com- Minister for Courts; Justice.
buyers,” she said. “(We) also have plans munity development experience gained as
around farmland and other critical infra- Who is Jacinta Arden?
structure,” she added.
There has been bitterness with New DESCRIBED as “star-dust” by her rival, have their personal beliefs and not be
Zealand’s dairy and livestock industry Bill English, at the start of New Zealand’s persecuted for it, whether they be atheist or
over the sale of farms and agricultural election, Prime Minister Jacinda Arden’s staunch church members,” Ardern told the
companies to Asian –mainly Chinese – rise to power has been nothing less than a New Zealand press.
interests. Peters – who has led a fierce fairy tale. Principled straight talk and progressive
anti-immigration campaign for more than The 37-year-old former Mormon shot to views ensures there was rapid popularity
a decade - said a clear message had been overnight popularity as Kiwis – fed up with for the self-described social democrat and
sent that New Zealand was “no longer the nine-year reign of the National Party. progressive who is a strong advocate for
for sale.” “I just think people should be free to LGBTI rights.

Islands Business, November 2017 9