After the warning shot: National, ACT and TOP work to close the Pacific trust gap ahead of vote

The message from Pacific voters has been heard. Now National, ACT and the Opportunity Party are working to convince communities they can deliver.

Following the release of a PMN-HorizonResearch Pacific Issues Survey this week, candidates from the three parties say addressing everyday pressures, improving opportunities and building stronger relationships with Pacific communities will be critical ahead of election day.

The survey showed cost of living remains a major concern for Pacific voters, with 90 per cent saying it is one of the biggest issues shaping their vote.

But the survey also highlighted a challenge for the parties. Many respondents said they did not believe some political parties understand Pacific communities well.

Angee Nicholas, National Party candidate for Henderson said she was not surprised by findings and acknowledged the work required to build trust.

Speaking with William Terite on Pacific Mornings, Nicholas said support for parties can vary significantly depending on the community.

Cost of living is by far the most important issue influencing Pacific voters this election, as coalition parties face weak support among the demographic. Photo/supplied

"I'm not entirely surprised by the poll. It depends where you go in the country. In Henderson [about 20 per cent] of Pacific voters, whereas if you go to South Auckland, you might have about 60 per cent.

"It was hard work in 2023, and it still is going to be hard work this year.”

Nicholas said National’s focus is on practical solutions for families including cost-of-living relief and support for low- and middle-income households.

Watch Angee Nicholas and Romeo Tevaga's full interview below.

"We've actually talked quite a bit about the cost of living and what relief we are providing to New Zealanders.

“Sometimes the simple ideas around fixing the cost of living are exactly what we need for right now. Grand ideas are not going to get us anywhere on the backdrop of really tough economic conditions,” she said.

For the Opportunity Party, candidate for Upper Harbour, Romeo Tevaga, said the survey was a reminder that political parties need to listen and follow through.

"Political parties need to pay attention, listen, and actually deliver outcomes for Pacific peoples," he told Terite.

Listen to David Seymour's full interview below.

Tevaga said TOP’s proposed citizens’ income would help address financial pressures facing Pacific families especially younger households.

"Cost of living is going to be tackled by citizens' income because it provides a safety net for younger families and for younger parents and adults because this is where there's a bigger part of our population."

ACT leader and Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour said they were disappointed the party had not gained stronger support among Pacific voters.

He believes ACT’s focus on opportunity and personal responsibility should connect with Pacific families who came to New Zealand seeking a better future.

Watch Henrietta Devoe's full interview below.

“That's fundamentally what ACT believes in: that you can make tomorrow better through your own efforts," he told Terite.

Seymour said reducing government regulation and increasing housing supply would help ease pressure on families.

“We're not going to afford more stuff until we earn more money and remove the bureaucracy and the red tape that makes things expensive,” he said.

Representation is also part of the conversation, with 39 per cent of survey respondents saying political parties should prioritise having more Pacific candidates.

Photo/supplied

Seymour said ACT’s first Pacific candidate, Henrietta Devoe, would help strengthen the party’s connection with Pacific communities.

As parties continue their election campaigns, Tevaga said the survey provided a valuable insight into what Pacific voters are looking for.

"[It] provides a really helpful snapshot that we've got a lot of work to do,” he told Terite.

For National, ACT and TOP, the challenge now is turning policy promises into trust and convincing Pacific voters they are listening.