95bFM The significance of Carmel Sepuloni's appointment as Deputy Prime Minister
25 January, 2023
Interview by Jessica Hopkins, adapted by Stella Huggins
Photo: Unsplash.
Carmel Sepuloni’s appointment as the deputy prime minister is monumental, as the first Pasifika person to be in the role in Aotearoa's history.
Associate Professor of Māori and Pacific Studies Jemaima Tiatia told 95bFM's The Wire that Sepuloni’s appointment would inspire future Pacific political leaders.
“It is significant that aspiring young pacific women can see themselves in some of those governance areas."
Tiatia said that Sepuloni’s courage in stepping into the role despite the misogyny and abuse Jacinda Ardern faced in a similar leadership position reflected her affinity for the role.
“It speaks volumes, and it also speaks to her grunt and resilience as a leader.”
Associate Dean Pacific of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Sir Collin Tukuitonga, told The Wire he is hopeful that Sepuloni will advocate for the interests of Pasifika and Māori health.
Tukuitonga emphasised her background managing the non-regulated Pacific health research project and acting as CEO of Aotearoa’s only national Pacific health provider, Vaka Tautua.
"I am hopeful that we will start to address the common and most pressing problems that disproportionately affect Pasifika peoples in Aotearoa."
Tukuitonga stressed the importance of Pasifika people leading Pacific health initiatives.
“Obviously, there are some core health challenges for everyone. But I think given our inability to address these inequities, I’m hopeful that Carmel will have more influence in assisting this process going forward.”
But Tiatia says much work still needs to be done, especially with our minorities and tangata whenua in Aotearoa.
"Is New Zealand bold enough to make those appointments and to have a person of colour as the prime minister of this country? I’m not too sure.”
In terms of what policy directions Sepuloni could potentially bring to the role of deputy prime minister, Tiatia said her experience as Minister of Social Development and Employment gives her “deep insight."
"Although there has been some criticism of Sepuloni not doing enough while she was in that role, I have seen her flourish in other areas.”
Tukuitonga said that as a person of Pacific descent, Sepulioni has culturally informed knowledge “about what motivates pacific communities to do something or not do something”.
He hopes to see this awareness translated into meaningful policy action.
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