After nearly 30 years, Wellington could see a Pasifika councillor

Wellington could soon have its first Pasifika voice around the council table in nearly 30 years.

The capital last had a Pacific councillor in 1995, when Namulau'ulu Tala Cleverly left office.

Now, Auimatagi Ken Ah Kuoi says he plans to make a second bid for Wellington City Council, running under the Independent Together ticket for the Motukairangi/Eastern Ward.

“I feel that we should have a Samoan or a Pasifika person for that matter standing,” he told Pacific Mornings on 531pi. “The last time was famous Namulau'ulu Tala Cleverly … so it's more than 30 years.”

Auimatagi, a lawyer and former Education Review Officer, says he’s not just standing for himself, but for Pacific families in the capital who have gone unrepresented for too long.

“It’s about time. We need somebody in there,” he says. “You have to be around the table. If you're not around the table, you can't share our voice.”

In 2022, Auimatagi received just under 1,300 votes in his first council bid. This time, he believes voter frustration over rates and council performance could boost turnout, especially among Pacific communities and older voters.

“The biggest difference is that people now want to vote because they want to get rid of the council at the moment,” he says. “I mean, the council is dysfunctional and it's not working. It's not listening to the people.”

He says some voters, particularly elderly residents, feel the council hasn’t prioritised essential services.

“They're not focusing on the services that are needed... and not listening to the public,” he says.

“So this time, there's a lot of old people that want to vote. They're saying to us that now is the time that we want to physically put down our yes and tick in and vote for people because they're sick and tired of the council.”

Auimatagi wants Pacific communities, particularly church leaders, to encourage people to vote.

“Just getting our people, the churches and the leaders, need to tell the congregation that we need somebody in there.”

He emphasised education and teaching people how to vote.

Ken Ah Kuoi wants real change in the Motukairangi/Eastern Ward. Photo/Wellington Council

“If I'm standing and you only know me or you want me, just put one beside my name and then that's it. You don't have to rank it.”

A key part of his campaign is removing political party influence from local council decisions, he said.

“We don't want ... party politics in council. And that's why we're standing together. We're just individuals. And we've got shared values... to put the community first.”

Auimatagi is also campaigning on a promise of no further rates increases.

He believes a zero rates increase is achievable by reprioritising council spending.

Ken Ah Kuoi’s ward: Motukairangi/Eastern, covering Wellington’s eastern suburbs. Photo/Wellington Council

“Of course it can be done. If we cut all the other approaches—the millions of dollars going to Golden Mile, a sea wall and all that stuff ... we need to focus on the pipes and the infrastructure,” he says.

He says he will bring lived experiences and common sense to the council table, if elected.

“Those experiences I bring to the table, a doer, a person that listens to people, listens to his customers, clients.”

Auimatagi also raised concerns about homelessness and mental health in Kilbirnie, where he works.

“We need to find a space for those people because of mental health and other stuff.”

His message to voters is simple: “I’m just encouraging people to vote. Vote, please. You can’t complain if things are not happening around our city.”

Candidate nominations open on July 4 and close on August 1, ahead of local elections in October.

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