The panel representing Auckland's Pacific communities wants a stronger role in the city, and its future to be enshrined in legislation.
The unpaid advisory panel was set up as part of Auckland's local body amalgamation, but with no certainty of continued existence after next year's council election.
Its chair, Reverend Uesifili Unasa, says the communities have urgent needs and the council has the means to make a difference.
"There's a great deal of expectation from the Pacific community that as we look to the next 30 years of the Auckland Plan that there will be some major headways in terms of addressing the marginalisation of Pacific voice around the decision making table and also around the resources and the building up of Pacific aspirations and communities."
Uesifili Unasa and the mayor, Len Brown, hope a review of the panel's role will next year lead to a stronger connection into council decision-making.
