Minutes for the meeting held 13 November 2013
(6.00pm – 8.15pm)

Venue: 		Committee Room 2, Council offices, Wakefield Street
Present: 		Violet Ekenasio, Dan Kauraka, Anthony Leaupepe (Chair 6.00-7.00), Tina 				McNicholas (Chair 7.00- 8.15), Sainimili 	Pouvalu, Martha Samasoni, Maria 			Solouota, Fetu Tamapeau, Siofilisi Taufo’ou, Manuila Tausi
			Councillor Paul Eagle, Inspector Peter Stokes (NZ Police), Constable Loretta 			Hunt (NZ Police) 
  
Council Officers:  	Joanne Maraki (Consultation and Engagement), Martin Rodgers (Manager, 			Research, Planning, & Consultation) 
 
Welcome: Anthony Leaupepe (Chair 6.00-7.00pm) 
	
Opening prayer – Violet Ekenasio
	
Apologies:  Stacey Kokaua-Balfour, Cllr Sara Free.  
Late apologies:  Tina McNicholas (6.40 pm )
Apologies leave early:  Violet Ekenasio (7.30), Cllr Paul Eagle (6.30) 
	
Minutes for last meeting 
Minutes for the meeting held 9th October 2013 accepted as a true and correct record. (Moved by Anthony, seconded by Violet) 
Matters Arising
•	Living Wage:  Martin Rodgers informed PAG that Council staff has almost completed the research into implementation of the Living Wage programme.  They will be presenting a menu of options to Council for deliberations and the preferred option will be included in the Annual Plan process 2014/2015.
Maria Solouota asked if PAG (and representative communities) will be provided with opportunity to contribute to this decision-making process. Martin assured PAG that previous input from PAG was a consideration in this work and that PAG and their representative communities will have the opportunity to provide submissions during the formal consultation period in February/March 2014.  Martin Rodgers also confirmed that the next Forum is scheduled to coincide with the Annual Plan process and may be an appropriate topic for discussion.
Anthony Leaupepe asked that it be noted that the Living Wage programme is of significance to PAG and their representative communities who fully support its implementation.
PAG has previously provided support for the initiative at an earlier presentation by Council on the Living Wage.    
•	Pasifika Festival: Agenda item.  
•	Mayors Forum: Agenda item

Councillor Update
Cllr Paul Eagle.
1.	Acknowledged the passing of Leonie Gill, a dear friend and colleague and shared his thoughts that the presence and presentation from the representative of PAG who attended the funeral was an appropriate and fitting end.  He affirmed to PAG their contribution and genuinely positive relationship PAG has developed with Leonie Gill for many years.  She will be missed.  
2.	Updated and informed PAG that Cllr Sara Free is the newly appointed Councillor to PAG.  He acknowledges her valuable contributions and interest for this role including previous experience as a member of the Environmental Reference Advisory Group.  Cllr Eagle assured the group that he will continue to attend and advocate in PAG activities and is available to support if/when required.
3.	Council roles and structures have changed.  The Strategic and Policy committee has been disestablished and there will now be 5 committees.  Paul is the chair for the Community, Sport and Recreation committee.  
	
Mayoral Forum (Pacific) 
All members have been informed of the decision to cancel the 2nd Forum for 2013.  The next Forum will be held in February 2014 within the Annual Plan consultation and submission period.  Martin Rodgers acknowledged the impact of this on communities and apologised for the inconvenience this caused.  He also acknowledged that the Mayor is very keen for the Forums to go ahead and is committed to the forums going ahead next year as part of the Annual Plan process.  
Joanne informed that the Forums are being evaluated in the interim.  This will be carried out by an independent evaluator and discussions with the evaluator will include appropriate methodology, cultural competency and appropriateness, within fiscal constraints.  PAG members will be informed and invited to contribute/participate.
PAG members discussed the merits and also concerns regarding the review including saturation as a result of the recent evaluation of the Alcohol Management Strategy.  PAG members also sought confirmation of the intent of the evaluation and what plans Council had for future planning and implementation of the Forums.  
Joanne confirmed that the findings from the evaluation of the Alcohol Management Strategy will be considered as part of the evaluation and that participants will not be expected to repeat previous conversations.  Joanne also confirmed that the intent and purpose of the evaluation is to improve Council’s engagement activity and ensure these are aligned to Councils newly refreshed Engagement Policy.  
PAG members also asked if they will receive the final evaluation report of the Alcohol Management Strategy.  Joanne confirmed that participants will receive copies of the final report and that Council intends to make this report available online.  	

Pasifika Festival 
Maria Solouota reported that Dan Kauraka attended a working group meeting with Suzanne Tamaki on the 23rd October 2013.  Notes of the meeting have been distributed. 
The promotional budget for the festival has not changed from the previous year.  Maria will request this information be provided at the next meeting.
Maria highlighted concerns regarding the cost and priority given for stall holders acting as a barrier for Pacific groups to participate and contribute in the event.  Tina McNicholas has also expressed these concerns via email to Joanne Maraki prior to this meeting.
Joanne has followed this up with Suzanne Tamaki and reports that she understands and agrees with the concerns highlighted however; the paperwork has already been distributed.  A suggested solution this year is to revisit and renegotiate the cost to stall holders representing legitimate NGO’s and Church Groups with preference given to Pacific communities.  PAG requests confirmation of the next working group meeting.  
 PAG discussed the possibility of exploring a small launch the evening before the event versus a larger launch on the day.  The majority of members present agreed to this proposal being explored further with Suzanne Tamaki at the next committee meeting. 

Pacific Wardens – Wellington Police Department (Inspector Peter Stokes and Constable Loretta Hunt) 
(This agenda item was brought forward and discussed at the beginning of the meeting to ensure Cllr Paul Eagle would have an opportunity to listen and participate 6.10pm – 6.50pm) 
Inspector Peter Stokes introduced himself and Constable Loretta Hunt.  Inspector Stokes is the Pacific Strategic Advisor which is an advisory role in the Police department with a focus on supporting cohesive and collaborative initiatives.  He is also of Fijian descent and is bi-lingual in both his home language and English.  Inspector Stokes provided an overview/update of a proposal in development to establish Pacific Wardens in Wellington similar to the Pacific Warden project that is implemented in the Greater Auckland districts.  In Auckland this project is facilitated in partnership between the Police department and the Auckland Council and is proving very successful.  Inspector Stokes is also advocating at this time for the establishment of a Pacific Liaison Officer for the Greater Wellington region.  The discussion between PAG and Inspector Stokes highlighted the following:
•	Greater Wellington has the highest Pacific population outside of Auckland
•	Pacific Wardens are community based voluntary roles with training and support provided by the Police department
•	In Auckland resources are provided by Auckland Council
•	The project in Auckland is proving successful with increased community and social functions, increased ‘safety’ in communities, and opportunities to prevent young people from coming to the attention of the police department.
•	The increasing numbers of both Māori and Pacific Youth in crime and delinquency are of significant concern to the Police department, local government, central government departments, and also Māori and Pacific communities
•	In Auckland the wardens are either church or community based
•	The main objective and messaging of this proposal is prevention.  Pacific youth will respond more positively to Pacific people (local leadership).
•	This project supports communities to be proactive and take ownership of the concerns and issues faced in regards to youth crime and the police department provide structured support to communities.  
PAG also asked about the role of a Pacific Liaison officer and benefits to Pacific communities.  The role of the Pacific Liaison officer is to increase social and community cohesion and collaboration between Pacific communities and the Police department.  The types of functions the officer would be involved in would be encouraging and supporting recruitment of Pacific people into the Police force.  Building local capacity and support community driven activities to improve outcomes for young people.  At this time local institutions such as the Wananga provide course and support to young people considering the police department as a career choice.  
Cllr Paul Eagle expressed support and interest in this programme and would like to see it investigated further.
Action Point:  
The Pacific Island Advisory Group supports the proposal by the New Zealand Police Department to investigate the establishment of Pacific Wardens; and the appointment of a Pacific Liaison Officer (PLO) to the Wellington City area.  That this proposal be presented to the Community, Sport, and Recreation committee’ 
	
Cultural Responsiveness Guide/Action Plan 
PAG agrees to dedicate the next meeting to the development of the Cultural responsiveness guide/action plan as this is a significant piece of work for PAG and Council that has positive implications/benefits for the representative pacific communities.  
	
Meet and Greet the Mayor and new Council 
PAG has received the invitations to this event on the 4th December 2013.  It is agreed to present the Mayor and Councillors attending with a Lei from each member of PAG.  The Lei will represent an issue/concern and/or a key priority for Pacific communities.  
PAG members will forward what they would like to say to Councillors and the Mayor and also seek confirmation of numbers of new Councillors attending.  	

Community Updates
Niue
•	The international women’s group held their first cultural and arts display
Tuvalu
•	The Group ‘Strong Pasifika families’ based in Porirua received an award for activities and programmes against family violence that was held in Auckland.  
Tokelau 
•	Rena Owen (NZ actress) is developing a screen play that has a pacific focus.  Pacific and NZ stakeholders are advocating for filming to be based in Wellington.  
Samoa
•	The community has organised a basketball tournament for young people on Saturday 16th November at the ASB stadium in Kilbernie. Participation is free.  
•	At the Love Life fono held in Auckland (bi-annual) Fetu was elected as the Niue representative.  The Pasifika Rainbow Coalition was established and elected at the Love Life Fono. The fono is funded by the NZ Aids Foundation / Love Your Condom campaign for Pasifika LGBTQI+ communities
•	Fetu attended the Wellington Stop Rape Now demonstration as a Pasifika community leader and PAG member to show solidarity against rape culture being perpetuated by groups such as Roastbusters.
•	Fetu is helping with an event to raise funds for the Queer Straight Alliance Network Aotearoa featuring Samoan New Zealand poet Tusiata Avia and other people of colour.
Tonga
•	On behalf of the Tongan community (and all Pacific communities) Siofilisi sends best wishes and congratulations to the Mayor for her re-election and also the newly appointed Council. 
•	Condolences from the Tongan community to the family and friends of previous Cllr Leonie Gill and thanks those members of PAG who represented the group and broader communities at Leonie Gills funeral.   
•	The Tongan community have held the first class of ‘lakalaka mai’ a fun Tongan dance class similar to Zumba.
•	Merry Christmas everyone  
Fiji
•	Tina McNicholas expressed to all PAG members who participated in the funeral of Leonie Gill on behalf of the broader group and respective communities.  This was a heartfelt and special gesture.  Acknowledgement to Fetu and all who gave gifts in appreciation.  	

Closing and final prayer  
Manuila 
.  	
Actions
1.	Festival 
a)	Joanne will confirm the date of the next Pasifika festival working group with the Event Coordinator
b)	The subcommittee will discuss and explore the possibility of arranging a small prelaunch the evening before the event at the next working subcommittee meeting.  
2.	Pacific Wardens 
a)	Joanne will explore the process for the proposal from the NZ police to be an agenda item on the Community, Sport and Recreation committee and inform appropriate parties of confirmation, requirements, processes
b)	 Joanne Maraki inform the appropriate Council business unit of the proposal 
3.	Meet and Greet 
a)	Joanne will coordinate the input from PAG re: items to present to new councillors 
b)	Joanne will seek confirmation of Councillors attending the event on the 4th December
4.	Evaluation 
a)	Joanne will distribute the final report of the Alcohol Management Strategy evaluation to participants and will confirm and report back to PAG when the report will become available to the public 
b)	It is noted that PAG members have contributed their thoughts and suggestions regarding the value and structure of the Forums and are mindful of repetitiveness and engagement fatigue.  PAG members are supportive of activities to invite participants from the community to participate.  Joanne will keep PAG updated of the progress of the Evaluation of the Forums.     
c)		
Next PAG Meeting: Wednesday 11th December 2013 - 6pm 
Committee Room 1, Council Offices, Wakefield Street