Samoa has honoured the man responsible for west Auckland’s successful merging of cultures which saw Waitakere becoming the first New Zealand city to sign a binding agreement with its Pacific people.
Samoa has paid tribute to long serving Waitakere mayor Bob Harvey and recognised west Auckland’s successful merging of cultures which has seen Pacific peoples flourish in many spheres of life.
Harvey will be bestowed the chiefly Samoan title of Toleafoa later this year when he travels to Samoa. This was revealed during a recent visit by a high-powered senior delegation of Samoan politicians. During their stopover in late April, they paid tribute to the man they say has led the way in building successful cross-cultural relations.
Harvey welcomed the political delegation, which included the Honourable Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa, MP Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Leiataua, to Waitakere saying that when he began as mayor (in 1992) he had one simple goal.
“When I became mayor I immediately made it a priority to unite all the different and varying cultures in the city,” Harvey says.
"In the 1950s and 60s new migration from the Pacific Islands brought a wealth of culture to Waitakere – and since that time we have flourished as a Pacific City.”
Indeed, the delegation mentioned that it was the council’s and in particular, Harvey’s, extraordinary relationship with the Pacific community, especially with Samoan people, that had brought them to Waitakere.
Mr Leiataua said the delegation was “honoured to be in Waitakere to share in the warm and cordial relationship” that existed between the city and island nation.
Waitakere was the first New Zealand city to sign a binding agreement with its Pacific people.
In 1990 the council formed the Waitakere Pacific Board and in 1998 it signed a memorandum of understanding with the board and in so doing recognised Last month the city proudly hosted the Pacific Trade Expo – a very important vehicle for promoting trade between New Zealand and the Pacific and within the Pacific itself.
The delegation also included Samoan MPs the Honourable, Tu'u'u Anasi’i Leota, Minister of Revenue, independent Le Mamea Ropati, the leader of the Samoan Democratic United Party, Asiata Saleimoa Va'ai, and Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo Meredith, associate minister of natural resources and the environment.
Ms Charlene Malele, Deputy Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, and New Zealand independent MP Taito Phillip Field were also present.
