Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Call for permanent Pacific voice on Auckland council

Updated at 10:39 am on 20 June 2012

Pacific leaders who advise the Auckland mayor are calling for a law change to establish a permanent Pacific board within the Auckland Council.

The Pacific Advisory Panel made the call on Tuesday during a meeting with mayor Len Brown to review council's performance.

Panel deputy chair Orchid Atimalala says Saturday's Advance Pasifika march was a clear signal that Pacific communities are frustrated their needs aren't being met and they want a stronger, permanent voice on the council.

She says the panel's guaranteed legal status within the council expires at next year's elections so it's important to set up a permanent Pacific body before then.

Mr Brown supports a permanent Pacific body within the council but says a request to Government for a law change is not likely until the middle of next year.

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