Preliminary results for local body elections 2025 show a good spread of Pasifika candidates across the country were able to win office.
Long-time sports broadcaster and local identity Fauono Ken Laban has become the first Pasifika person to win a mayoralty race in Aotearoa, becoming the mayer of Hutt City in the Wellington region.
A former police officer and Hutt Valley council member, he also spent time as a regional councillor.
Creating leadership milestones is something of a family tradition for Fauono, whose sister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban was the first Pasifika woman to become a member of Parliament in 1999.
Elsewhere in the Hutt City region Pasifika candidate Mele Tonga-Grant was elected on to council. In the Wainuiomata Community Board, Vatau and Lahraine Sagaga alongside Lesa Bingley were also successful in their campaigns.
Staying in Wellington, Gabriel Tupou has been re-elected onto the Greater Wellington Regional Council, while former Deputy Mayor of Porirua Izzy Ford was successful in winning a seat in the Onepoto General Ward.
To the deep South in Dunedin, Marie Laufiso returns as a City councillor while in the Waitaki District Council, former Deputy Mayor Mata’aga Hana Melania Fanene-Taiti, won a seat in the Oamaru Ward.
To Nelson where Matty Anderson, of Niuean heritage, returns to the Nelson City Council for the Central Ward.
And former Ka’ute Pasifika CEO based in Hamilton Rachel Karalus joins the Hamilton City Council for the East Ward.
The official results for the local elections 2025 will be published this Friday.
