Porirua mayoral candidate champions indigenous leadership in local government

Ura Wilson-Pokoati, a Porirua teacher and community advocate, says her campaign for mayor is about normalising Pacific and Māori leadership in local government.

“I was asked by my community to stand,” she says. “We need to normalise opportunities for our Pasifika people to step up, Māori and Pasifika, and lead.”

Wilson-Pokoati, who shares her heritage roots as Māori, Cook Islands, Samoan, Tahitian and Scottish, has taught for more than 30 years in multicultural settings across Aotearoa, Australia, Singapore and Brunei.

She says her background gives her “a cross-cultural understanding” that Porirua needs in its next leader.

“Being an indigenous Māori Pasifika wahine, I bring a unique lens to the role of mayor. I’ve worked in governance and in community volunteer initiatives. I know how to work with diverse communities.”

Youth council among top priorities

She lists her three priorities as people, partnerships and progress.

Voters can cast their special votes at North City Mall before polls close. Photo/Porirua City Council Facebook

Wilson-Pokoati wants to create a Porirua Youth Council to give younger residents a direct voice in council decisions.

“Thirty-five per cent of our people are Pasifika, and about a third of Pasifika residents are under 25. Their voice needs to be heard. They’re our strength and our future.”

Rates, transparency and revenue

While acknowledging the incumbent mayor’s efforts to keep rate increases below the national average, Wilson-Pokoati says transparency and creative revenue generation are key to easing the pressure on households.

Watch Ura Wilson-Pokoati's full interview below.

“I’ve signed a ratepayer protection pledge,” she says. “I’ll oppose any measures that make rates or council charges exceed inflation and population growth, and I’ll support initiatives that make council spending transparent.”

She says Porirua’s diversity, from Cannons Creek to Pukerua Bay, requires new thinking about how the city generates income beyond rates.

“We need creative initiatives that bring money into the area,” she says.

Reaching voters where they are

Wilson-Pokoati is also tackling low voter turnout, a long-standing issue for Porirua’s Pacific community. She’s working with local churches and youth groups to help people enrol and understand the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system.

“Some of our people can’t get to council buildings because they’re working two or three jobs. They prefer to talk in their own language and face-to-face,” she says. “We’re going out to meet them, helping them fill out enrolment forms and explaining the process.”

Independent and unapologetically Pacific

Wilson-Pokoati says she’s an independent candidate, but reiterates her political identity is rooted in being Māori and Pasifika.

“I’m not a seasoned politician, but I was born indigenous. I was born Māori. I was born Pasifika. Māori and Pasifika, we’re born political.”

She’s running a campaign focused on optimism and collaboration.

“It’s really tough for everyone right now. So positivity along the trail is important. It’s about people, partnerships and progress.”

Ura Wilson-Pokoati is campaigning for a seat on Porirua City Council, aiming to serve as the city’s next mayor or councillor. Photo/Porirua City Council

Wilson-Pokoati emphasises the significance of representation.

“You want people sitting around the table who can actually advocate for their voices. I want to be a voice and have been a voice for other community groups.”

Wilson-Pokoati is also running as a candidate for Porirua City Council in the Onepoto General Ward.

The incumbents and only Pasifika councillors currently on council, Izzy Ford and Moze Galo, are both standing again in the same ward.

New Pasifika candidates Jaistone Finau and Siobhan Samuel are also running.

-LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.