'This Fale Malae is yours as well': New Pacific space will be for all Pacific communities

As Wellington prepares for its first dedicated fale by 2025, the Fale Malae Trust reiterates that the space will represent all Pacific peoples not just a few.

"We've emphasised the Fale Malae is not just Sāmoan, it's Pasifika," says Fale Malae Trust chair and Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr (Areora in Atiu).

"So all the Pacific nations will have their colour, their taste and flavour involved."

The Fale Malae project aims to build a Pacific-inspired, multi-purpose space atop the demolished earthquake-prone car park beneath Frank Kitts Park, enabling Wellingtonians to host events.

"We want all New Zealand to feel really at home and use the place, whether it's business, government, university and especially community," Orr says.

New Zealand-based Pacific spaces and projects have been seen by some to be dominated by Sāmoan culture. The word Pasifika itself is the Samoan-isation of the Portuguese word Pacifica, whereas Tonga use Pasifiki.

Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr is also the chair of the Fale Malae Trust. Photo/RNZ: Cole Eastham-Farrelly

Orr says Wellington is big on multiculturalism and that having all Pacific peoples represented in the Fale Malae fits that bill.

On a wider scale he says having the Pacific community represented in the waterfront's "cultural necklace" is a no-brainer.

"We live in a bi-cultural government but a multicultural society," he says.

"In the area we've also got the Wharewaka, Pākehā boat club, Te Papa Museum and The Chinese Gardens.

"To have the fale sitting there is a strong representation of how we all fit together.

"What a beautiful cultural necklace as you come into Pōneke."

Orr says they are currently awaiting final decisions by the Wellington City Council regarding when they can begin construction and confirm resource consent.

"Other than that we're good to go and we're hungry."

The project has had overwhelming support, including from Mayor Tory Whanau to last year's Wellington City Council vote ending with a 17-1 vote from councillors and mana whenua representatives.

"Not just from Wellington as this is a national effort for Pasifika people and all of Aotearoa," he says.

"New Zealand is a Pacific nation. It's embarrassing we don't have a representation of that on the waterfront of our capital city."

Recently Auckland's iconic Maota Samoa fale celebrated it's 45th anniversary, however disputes around accessibility and how the space has been neglected have arose.

Orr says people always ask where the fale are in Auckland because "they're always tucked away somewhere".

"This is why we want to be front and centre on the waterfront. Time to stand up and be recognised.

"This Fale Malae is yours as well Auckland."