While I make no secret that I lean more to the right politically for all sorts of christian reasons, I also like to support Pacific candidates from all sides of the spectrum simply because we share a common point of origin - the Pacific. My prediction this year is that Sua William Sio will win the Mangere electorate. Labour have moved smartly and quickly to cement it's position in Mangere with Sua being sworn in as MP this week, that sends a loud and clear message that it means to secure the Mangere seat without any real battle. Had that not occurred then Taito might have won that seat hand downs. The only difficulty here is that there may still be strong local Mangere Pacific views that Sua is not a Mangere 'boy' but rather an Otara homie bred.
The Destiny - Family Party contender Mr Filipaina has been out in the Mangere stomping ground for some months now gathering support for himself and his work has not gone un-noticed. There is however one other Pacific contender who may have been able to gouge Mangere from Labour and that would have been Peseta Sam Lotu Iiga. Winning the Maungakiekie local body elections I'iga has shown that he has the determination and dedication to truly win a community over. Another possible Pacific contender from the right is Enosa Auva'a, school principal and a previous National candidate for the Manurewa electorate. Should Auva'a stand this year, he at least has the experience and support of the Pacific community to promote our issues loudly and clearly.
No matter which side of the political spectrum any of these Pacific candidates might stand, they are nonetheless worthy Pacific candidates. I wish them all well should any or all of them stand in an electorate for this 2008 election year.
