From Rotary to politics: Avalua Tavui brings Pacific values, voice to Manurewa election race

South Auckland community leader Avalua Tavui says her first run for Parliament is about giving a voice to issues she believes are too often overlooked while bringing Pacific values of service, respect and compassion into New Zealand politics.

The Rotary Club president and animal welfare advocate is standing for the Animal Justice Party in the Manurewa electorate at November’s general election.

Speaking with Khalia Strong on PMN’s Pacific Mornings, Tavui said she wants to represent the community where she was born, raised and has spent years serving.

“I’ve spent years working with and listening to local people and believe leadership should be compassionate, practical and accountable."

Tavui's parents migrated to New Zealand from Sāmoa in the 1950s, with family connections to Apia, Vaipu'a, Satapuala and Savai'i.

Her years of community work through Rotary have shaped the way she approaches leadership.

Avalua Tavui, second from right with other Animal Justice Party candidates. Photo/ AJP Facebook

"My community involvement involving my leadership through Rotary has taught me that lasting change comes from working alongside people and not simply telling them what government has decided."

She says years of community work convinced her that lasting change also requires a voice in Parliament.

Tavui says she did not originally plan to enter politics, but felt too many decisions were being made without enough consideration of communities.

Alavua Tavui says her community involvement through the Rotary has taught her that change comes from working alongside people. Photo/Alavua Tavui Facebook

"I didn't mean to enter politics, but because too many decisions are made without properly considering the people, animals and communities that live with these consequences."

Tavui says the Animal Justice Party's policies connect with Pacific families because animal welfare is also tied to wider pressures facing households.

She says her Pacific background has shaped the way she sees those challenges, where family, community and looking after others are central values.

Speaking about the pressures facing Pacific households, Tavui says families are often forced to make difficult choices.

"Pacific people have, you know, we've got our own issues with, we're making impossible choices between paying our rent, our food, our mortgage, transport power, everything."

She says those pressures can also affect people's ability to care for pets.

Speaking with Khalia Strong on PMN’s Pacific Mornings, Tavui said she wants to represent the community well-being where she was born, raised and has spent years volunteering. Photo/PMN News

"I joined AJP because it recognises that kindness and good public policy belong together," she told Strong. "Too many decisions are made without properly considering the people, animals, and communities that live with these consequences."

She says responsible pet ownership is harder when families are already struggling with basic costs.

Tavui says the party believes animal welfare cannot be separated from the pressures facing people and communities.

"That's sort of a flow-on effect where they end up at rescues, and animal rescue groups are under a lot of pressure."

Tavui says housing pressures also play a role, particularly for larger multigenerational families and those looking for pet-friendly rentals.

"Housing, yes, securing healthy and affordable housing. That's an issue for our communities where we want housing suited to larger multigenerational families. So we have to look at better ways of solving those issues.

Among the policies she supports are free or subsidised desexing services and mobile veterinary clinics.Photo/File

"And animals, to us, maybe we can't afford them as we first thought. So their suffering and our veterinary bills and our ongoing health care for them that suffers.

Tavui says she wants solutions that work alongside communities rather than punish families who are already under pressure.

Among the policies she supports are free or subsidised desexing services, mobile veterinary clinics and more backing for Community Services Card holders.

She says these services should involve councils, government agencies, Māori and Pacific organisations, schools and community groups.

"Healthy dogs should not be killed simply because council facilities are full or because support arrived too late.

"Telling people to de-sex or treat an animal isn't enough if the service is unaffordable. So we have to look at better ways of solving those issues."

Watch Avalua Tavui's full interview below.

Acknowledging the challenges facing smaller parties, Tavui says she is asking voters to look beyond a single election cycle.

She says smaller parties can still push issues into the political debate.

The Animal Justice Party received just over 5000 party votes at the last election, well below the five per cent threshold needed to enter Parliament without winning an electorate seat.

"We know we're in it for the long term. We can't build trust on one election in a few weeks... Change has to happen somehow, and a kinder system for animals can also be a healthier, safer system for people."

New Zealanders go to the polls on 7 November.