Pacific MPs across political spectrum pledge to work hard for 'our communities'

Detailed summary

Teanau Tuiono, a Cook Islander, will return to Parliament on the list after the Green Party achieved another record high in the polls. He said the Green's message has resonated…

A senior Green MP says Pasifika voters have rewarded those with a track record of dealing with their issues.

Teanau Tuiono, a Cook Islander, will return to Parliament on the list after the Green Party achieved another record high in the polls.

He said the Green's message has resonated with Pasifika voters nationwide.

"They see the work that we've been doing over the last three years, whether that's sheparding through the restoration of Samoan citizenship bill, whether it's supporting Pacific visa waiver access into Aotearoa or New Zealand, and all those other things as well.

"My message to our Pasifika communities is, regardless of who is in government, to continue to hold us all to account to make sure that we all work hard to do the best for our Pasifika communities."

Labour's MP for Māngere Auckland, Lemauga Lydia Sosene, said she never took the result for granted.

Following the preliminary results from Saturday night, Lemauga received 14,815 votes - almost twelve-thousand more than the next best placed candidate.

"In South Auckland you'll still see quite a vote for Labour between Mangere, Manurewa and Otahuhu and so what that means is - while it's wonderful to have our community support - we've got to work really hard for our people."

New Zealand First's Alfred Ngaro said his return to parliament has been six years in the making.

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