Success for Labour in Manukau Ward
Labour has recorded a thrilling victory in the Manukau Ward of Auckland Council, with 15 of 16 places across the Ward going to Labour candidates, says Jenny Salesa, MP for Manukau East.
“I congratulate all my Labour colleagues who have fought a hard campaign and won a great victory.
“Returning Councillor Alf Filipaina and former local board chair, Fa’anana Efeso Collins, secured the governing body seats by a huge margin.
“Labour candidates made a clean sweep of the Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board – Christine O’Brien, Carrol Elliott, Tauanu’u Nick Bakulich, Lemauga Lydia Sosene, Togiatolu Walter Togiamua, Makalita Kolo and Tafauna’I Tasi Lauese – and took six out of seven seats on the Otara–Papatoetoe Local Board: Ross Robertson, Mary Gush, Lotu Fuli, Apulu Reece Autagavaia, Dr Ashraf Choudhary and Dawn Trenberth.
“These are all people who listen well and understand their diverse communities, who will represent local concerns with integrity and make sure the voices of Otahuhu, Otara, Papatoetoe and Mangere are heard loudly in Auckland’s big conversations.
“We have doubled the Labour representation on the Counties Manukau District Health Board with the election of Apulu Reece Autagavaia and Dr Ashraf Choudhary.
“The teams’ diversity is notable, reflecting the rich variation across South Auckland, with eight Pacific members – Samoan, Tongan and Niuean; four Pakeha; one Maori/Pacific, one Maori and a Pakistani Muslim.
“It is a great pity that turnout was low, and there will be a number of reasons for that. Usually, ‘experts’ will say that low turn-out tells against Labour. To win such solid endorsements in the face of low turn-out shows all the more that Manukau Ward recognises the people with values they can trust and who will stand up for them.
“I look forward to working with closely with the Governing Body Councillors and the two Local Boards and the two district health boards that cover Manukau East, Jenny Salesa says.
