Source: Porirua City Council
A progress report on year two of Ola Kamataga – Beginning of Life 2024-2027, Porirua City Council’s first Pacific Strategy, shows that Pacific initiatives are now embedded in the organisation as part of standard operating practices.
The strategy was developed following engagement with Pacific businesses, community groups, service providers and community members. It provides a framework for Council to work inpartnership with Pacific communities, to support, elevate, and enable the future aspirations of Tangata Moana communities in Porirua.
A progress report presented to Council’s Te Puna Kōrero committee today set out progress across the strategy’s priorities and focus areas.
Perenise Ropeti, Manager Pacific Strategy, said that year two of the strategy had consolidated the shift from discrete cultural initiatives to embedded organisational practice at Porirua City Council.
“Pacific responsiveness is now reflected in procurement policy, project governance templates, capital works design, and executive reporting protocols. This indicates a move from pilot activity to standard operating procedure,” he said.
Cutural competence is a cornerstone of the strategy, and 192 Porirua City staff have now completed Yavu cultural capability training delivered by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples.
Co-design was another key focus, and this was reflected in the Pacific community co-design of the garden at the news Cannons Creek Library, translation support at Whenua Tapu and in the parking and waste management areas.
External engagement was another success highlighted in the report, with the inaugural Pacific Business Fono attracting 63 participants, the quarterly Pacific Night Markets averaging 35 stallholders per event, three emergency management community workshops specifically designed for Pacific communities, and Council hosted flag-raising ceremonies for all 12 Pacific Language Weeks.
Mayor Anita Baker welcomed the report, which showed the collective contributions of Council and community.
“Pacific people make up more than one-quarter of Porirua’s population and are a huge part of what makes our city so special,” she said.
“It’s appropriate that one of the focus areas is Fa’asinomaga, or identity and belonging.
“We have worked to make Pacific languages, cultures and identity visible across civic life and facilities, including Pātaka Pasifika events, library displays, Pacific Night Markets and cultural performances, and Pātaka art + Museum exhibitions and events,” Mayor Baker said.
The proposed next step will be to undertake a Pacific Strategy review co-designed with the Porirua Pacific Services Network, Pacific business representatives, and Pacific youth in 2027. The review, to be carried out in the third year of the strategy, will evaluate whether the current priorities are still appropriate and set measurable long-term targets for employment, procurement, and representation.
You can read the progress report that was presented to Council, alongside a year two stakeholder infographic. Designed versions of these documents will be made available on our website in the coming weeks. You can download the original strategy.