Kia orana, Fakaalofa lahi atui, Malo e lelei, Ni sa bula vinaka, Na maste, Talofa lava, Taloha ni, Talofa, Noa'ia, Kia ora koutou, and welcome to you all.
I am delighted to be your guest again, and particularly to be part of the CTU Biennial Fono.
Thank you to our Reverend Tevita Filemoni for leading us in worship. It is also appropriate when we met as a Pacific group we give thanks to our God and creator. Thank you to Councillor Taima Fagaloa and your organising committee for organising this fonotaga. The CTU Komiti Pasefika makes a significant contribution to governance and leadership of Pacific people in the Trade Union Movement and in the wider community.
In that respect, I want to recognise Tuifaasisina Mea'ole Keil Efu Koka, who is continuing to making a positive difference in the direction of the Komiti Pasefika Committee for Pacific peoples and also Efu Koka, who is a rich contributor/facilitator to the Komiti and also our mother figure Liz Lee-Leo.
I am sure the wider Pacific community in Wellington is aware of this biennial fono and join me in recognising the leaders of today. I have always valued Pasifika passion, and I particularly appreciate the theme for today's fono - Leadership in Union 2010.
May I take this opportunity to acknowledge Ross Wilson, President of the CTU, and acknowledge his support for Pacific people over many years.
Setting the scene
The CTU Biennial Fono’s theme is "Pasefika Passion – Leadership in Union 2010", and indeed it provides a showcase of Pacific leadership and talent within the union movement.
Before I move into other areas, I want to mention one success in particular; the accomplishment of having twelve registered unions and twelve representatives who are with us today.
As you are all aware the CTU Biennial Fono continues to flourish in Wellington, and it is no surprise that the fono today has come to life through the efforts of many in the Wellington area.
I congratulate all those who have worked hard and passionately to establish CTU Komiti Pasefika. It is a notable achievement.
This fono provides a strong platform for sharing the latest developments, achievements and leadership innovations. The fono brings diverse Pacific communities together in Wellington to share ideas and information and discuss and debate key leadership issues.
My political career stemmed from my involvement with Unions and representing the voices of the workers at the negotiating tables. May I take this opportunity to highlight some of the success stories this government has helped to move and shape.
Pacific Workers
Since 2002, the number of Pacific students leaving schools with university entrance or NCEA level 3 qualification rose from 8.5 percent to 14 percent.
Modern Apprenticeships and Industry Training, the numbers of Pacific peoples undertaking Modern Apprenticeship training rose from 6, 858 in 2003, to 7,672 in 2004, that's a difference of 814.
However, though these statistics sound impressive, compared to the national average Pacific students are well below and we as Pacific leaders need to do more.
Pacific Wave Strategy in Auckland has halved the Pacific unemployment in Auckland in just two years. Pacific unemployment has reduced significantly from 12.2 percent in December 1999, to 6.7 percent in March 2005.
This government introduced Paid Parental Leave in July 2002. Pacific people make up six percent of the 40,000 recipients of Paid parental leave from 1 July 2002 – 30 June 2004.
Working together
One important feature of the fono is the close connection between governance and leadership.
I see this fono as an opportunity to share and reinforce an understanding of Pacific issues to promote a more effective dialogue and exchange of views for the future.
I see these linkages as crucial to improving leadership in the wider Pacific region as well as improving leadership in the Pacific population living in New Zealand.
It is vital for communities to own and manage their leadership abilities. I am very encouraged to see more and more community-based and driven projects being implemented for example the Pacific Governance training workshops symbolise principles of community and agency partnership, participation and empowerment.
Establishing good partnerships between agencies and communities helps allow a more comprehensive and holistic view of leadership needs.
There are policies that have been introduced that have a very real impact on the quality of life for Pacific workers. It is important that we monitor these policies so we can assess progress and outcomes for Pacific people in the key areas that we are concerned about.
The Ministry of Health Pacific Provider Development Framework has resourced Pacific communities to provide health services to people in various ways. If these initiatives are to be sustainable, there is a need for greater attention to the training needs of Pacific community workers.
A Pacific leadership
Pacific passion for leadership roles that is 'by Pacific for Pacific' is continuing to be a major issue and a good leader is one who is able to lead everyone.
Effective governance requires leadership and a strong commitment to quality control and passion. A passion towards getting the job done and a passion that is concerned with ensuring clear and transparent structures and processes for decision-making that includes accountability mechanisms and behaviour that support effective performance.
Pacific communities must have a strong voice in all sectors that highly involve planning and decision-making on all major issues that affect them. It is through your efforts to increase Pacific representation in key governance, funding and planning roles that will continue to influence improving Pacific leadership roles.
Progress for Pacific peoples in the Public Service, 2000 – 2004
According to the State Commission Report 'EEO Progress in the Public Service 2000 - 2004 published just recently, the five most common occupations for Pacific public servant remained unchanged between 2000 and 2004. These were: case workers, general clerks, technical representatives, prison officers and social workers.
As we know, our Pacific population is young, and our Pacific people have a younger profile than the other ethnic groups in the Public Service. In 2004, the median age was 35 years, compared to 42 years for all public servants.
Between 2001 and 2004, I am also informed that the number of Pacific public servants in unions has increased from 59% to 68%. In most occupation groups, Pacific staff union membership was higher than for the Public Service overall.
Role of Unions
Pacific union members, particularly cleaners, have highlighted the vulnerability they face when their employer loses a contract. They have played a strong role in supporting the CTU’s ongoing campaign for legislation protecting workers when a business is sold, transferred or contracted out.
There is some progress that has been made, and I was delighted about the introduction of Employment Related Education Leave under the Employment Relations Act that enabled Pacific workers to have paid time off work to gain knowledge about their employment rights and participate in building a strong Pacific voice within unions.
Strong, dynamic and effective Pacific leadership is critical to implement these strategies to improve Pacific wellbeing, and the CTU has been instrumental in providing leadership and direction.
Investment in Pacific leadership training is the way to develop capable Pacific leaders who have the vision, passion, drive and ability to make a difference for Pacific peoples. The Pacific Governance Course is a good example of this, but leadership development also needs to be owned and supported by individuals who have a long-term goal to be the best in their chosen careers.
I would like to conclude by reinforcing that I see the CTU's commitment to implementing the Leadership Strategy as one of the most important tasks for this organisation.
I am sure the fono today will advance our understanding of how better to deal with Pasifika passion – leadership in union 2010, and I hope this fono will inspire others who are not here to want to join you all on your journey of change and development.
I want to thank the CTU again for its dedication to improving and inspiring Pacific people, and for continuing to provide our people with expertise and excellent advice. Your work is very much appreciated and valued.
I hope you will all be inspired by the fono to continue your good work in support of the theme ‘Pasifika Passion – Leadership in Union 2010.
I look forward to continue working with you all to develop policy and services that will benefit Pacific peoples in Wellington and in the wider region.

Ia manuia