Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
In the heart of the Māngere Town Centre in Auckland and situated upstairs in the office of local MP Aupito William Sio you will find Labour’s newest List MP Lemauga Lydia Sosene. Lemauga has hit the ground running and getting on with business.
“I’m currently sharing the office with Aupito and he’s pretty much been a huge mentor for me in terms of politics and the political world. I think it’s a huge privilege to serve Aotearoa, to serve our community and you go in with what you know but you learn so much more.”
Lemauga is keen to make a difference in her role.
“As a member of parliament, I don’t have a specific geographical area, so I do have the ability to go from community to community. I’ve got a specific focus, what are the things I can do as a member? Listening to the community and what the problems are and just really help deliver talanoa, korero with regards to Labour policy.”
Lemauga is no stranger to hard work having been chairperson for the Māngere and Ōtāhuhu local board for over 10 years. She was also the former electorate secretary for former Labour MP Hon. Vui Mark Gosche, so the move to central government was inevitable.
“When I was in council it was busy, really busy, nothing short of 70 hours a week because that is what the job demands. You’ve got to support people in the community, our community that we serve. I actually thought it was time for me to step away from the council role, and the opportunity came up for the Labour Government. So, a real privilege.”
The mother of two says the change of work life and pace has been a challenge.
“In terms of family adjustments, you’ve stepped up to the role, you then have to turn up to duties so, they’ve had to adjust and adapt. It is tough but I think our kids learn to adapt and so we’re always communicating on social media and phone calls.”
Living in Favona is important for Lemauga to stay connected to her community.
“It’s a community that I represent and anything to do with politics. I’ve had a real passion to help our people. We see that times have changed, it’s become harder to purchase a home, it’s become harder to maintain your job, it’s also become harder to raise your family. Those are the things that I am so strongly interested in.”
Still new to parliament, Lemauga knows there is a lot of work ahead.
“I’m proud that I’ve managed to get this far. I still feel really privileged that I’m able to make a valid contribution to society, to the halls of power, but there is real serious work to do. We’ve got to prove to New Zealander’s that we still have earnt our place in society and to be the government.”
