CARMEL SEPULONI

In a historic moment for Pasifika people in Aotearoa and the region, Samoan/ Tongans MP Carmel Sepuloni has been sworn in as the Deputy Prime Minister of Aotearoa. This is the first parliamentary appointment at this level for Pasifika people and is hugely significant in presenting a Pasifika presence at senior political level.

“I am truly humbled” were her first words to media about the appointment. A long standing MP for Kelston, Carmel Sepuloni was born and raised in Waitara but has lived in Auckland since 1996. Outside of politics Carmel has worked broadly across the health and education sectors, working as a Literacy Educator with youth in West Auckland, teaching in Samoa, managing equity programmes at the University of Auckland, managing the non-regulated Pacific health research project and acting as CEO of New Zealand’s only national Pacific health provider, Vaka Tautua.

Carmel has always been committed to improving social, health and educational outcomes for all New Zealanders but has especially focused during her career on low socio-economic groups, Māori, Pacific, disabled people and sole parents. During her political career Carmel has brought to the fore the slashing of the training incentive allowance, made public the impact of cuts to ACC funding for survivors of sexual violence, campaigned for better legislation around social workers and fought for the right to privacy for social service users.

In the 2020 Labour Government, Carmel was sworn in as the Minister for Social Development and Employment, Minister for ACC, Minister for Disability Issues, and Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage. She has spoken continually of her commitment to building a fairer welfare system that treats New Zealanders with respect, upholds their dignity and supports them and their families to realise their potential.

How strong is Pacific representation going to look in parliament this term?

Better than ever before. Four out of Labours 21 Ministers will be Pacific (five will be Maori). Two are inside cabinet and two are outside. We have never had that many Pacific MPs in Ministerial positions. Labour also has two other wonderfully talented MPs who will undoubtedly have their talents put to good use - Poto Williams and Anahila Suisuki. There are still select committee chair positions and whips positions to be decided so one or both of them could end up in these important positions. Representation is crucial but more importantly now our focus has to be on how we most effectively serve our communities.

What are your biggest priorities to look at for Pacific people?

That our people are able to thrive and reach their potential. This means ensuring they have access to the best health care, education, decent wages and living conditions, affordable housing that is warm dry and healthy. It means ensuring that our Pacific children get access to the same opportunities that non Pacific children have access to.  Pacific people have always been aspirational for themselves and their families - we need to support them in their journey to get ahead.

I fell pregnant with my first child when i was in my second year of uni. Not long after I became a single mum. I've always been fortunate to have the support of friends and family but i know how hard it is for single parents who don't have that support.

What made you want to get in to politics?

Seeing inequality and injustice and unfairness around me. I absolutely believe that everyone should have access to the same opportunities. I saw my parents jobless through no fault of their own in the early 90's during a political period where politicians would demonise beneficiaries.

I had Maori and Pacific school friends drop out of school early without qualifications or with very little. I then went on to learn more about the inequalities that exist within our education sector when i trained as a teacher and taught - particularly in relation to Maori and Pacific and students with disabilities. I have friends and family members for whom it's an ongoing struggle to make ends meet. Put simply - I just want to help people/ fix difficult situations/ find solutions and make things better.

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