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Lotu FULI

Lotu FULI

Candidate for Manukau Ward

Labour

Candidate statement

Lotu Fuli is a Manukau Ward Councillor. She is the Deputy Chair of Regulatory Safety Committee and former Deputy Chair of Audit Risk Committee. Fuli previously served as Chair of the Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board. A passionate advocate for better outcomes for Manukau she is proud of the many initiatives she and Councillor Filipaina have championed, including funding for dog initiatives, Kolmar, Ngati-Otara Multi-Sports Complex and the new Ngati-Otara Marae. During COVID and the Auckland floods, Fuli provided strong support on the ground for Manukau families. A Samoan-born-kiwi, proudly calling Manukau home for 40+yrs, Fuli graduated with a University of Auckland LLB Honours, MA(Hons), MALT(Hons) and MLitt(Hons). She taught at Tangaroa, Otahuhu and De La Salle Colleges, was a UoA Law School Teaching Fellow, before becoming a lawyer and Councillor. Fuli will continue to fiercely represent Manukau with astute intelligence, shrewd negotiation skills and compassion. #VoteFuli for a strong, resilient Manukau.

Why I want to be elected

I LOVE Manukau - I believe it's the Face of the Future. I will ensure Manukau has a strong voice at the Governing Body table. EQUITY for Manukau means changing the Mayor's Funding Model so that our local boards do not face funding shortfalls of $1M -$1.5M. I'll keep our pools free & protect strategic assets. I want to increase regional funding for community, sports and Maori outcomes, and more resources for dog control, Manukau Sports Bowl, phase 2 David Lange Park & flood resilience.

My key skills and qualities

I am a qualified lawyer and academic with over a decade of governance experience. I use my legal expertise and shrewd negotiation skills to advocate strongly for better outcomes for our Manukau and South Auckland community. My lived experience growing up in South Auckland gives me a genuine empathy & compassion for our most vulnerable whanau. I respect the mana of Tangata Whenua and uphold our Te Tiriti obligations. These skills I bring to the table when making decisions about shaping our city.

My top three key issues

1. Equitable funding for our local boards, Manukau youth, community /sports groups and flood resilience & recovery initiatives 2. More resources and support to tackle dog control , alcohol harm and safety issues 3. Protect our strategic assets including the Port of Auckland

My position on key topics

  • Transport

    1. Improve public transport to make it safer, affordable and accessible, e.g keep $50 cap 2. Work with local boards and community groups like Triple Teez to increase use of alternative modes of transport such as cycling & walking 3. Support initiatives to reduce emissions in our city from passenger cars, trucks, buses, ferries and trains

  • Water

    1. Continue to support the good work Watercare is doing 2. Encourage all Aucklanders to conserve water at all times, not just when we face a drought or severe weather event. This should be our new normal to protect our water supply. 3. Support education programs across the community & schools to change behaviour around water conservation and pollution.

  • Built environment

    Support growth and urban development in a managed way that responds to community needs, protects local character/heritage and manages environmental risks. We have a huge role in place making to ensure our city is not a concrete jungle, but a beautiful place to live, work and play.

  • Natural environment

    1. Protecting our natural environment is a priority. We must ensure our awa, parks, reserves, green spaces, fauna and flora are protected 2. Following the Auckland flood and Cyclone Gabrielle, the need to build climate resilience became paramount, Council began the Making Space for Water projects. Following strong advocacy from the Manukau Crs Lotu Fuli and Alf Filipaina, the first blue-green project started in Mangere in April 2025 to reduce flood risk for hundreds of homes in Mangere.

  • Community

    Support strong local communities & facilities by changing the Mayor's Funding Model that sees the 2 Manukau local boards face shortfalls in funding of between $1M - $1.5M, enabling local boards to fund community initiatives and renew community facilities. Support more investment into the Manukau Sports Bowl. Keep regional funded events in Manukau like Polyfest, Lantern Festival, Pacific Music Awards & Diwali to celebrate our arts, music, culture and diversity.

  • Economic and cultural development

    Boost economic development with AUDO (formerly Eke Panuku) & TAU to fund projects to transform the town centre areas in and around the Manukau mall, Mangere, Otara, Papatoetoe and Otahuhu town centres. These economic hubs will attract more private funding and employers into Manukau, creating jobs and economic prosperity. Keep regional funded events in Manukau like Polyfest, Lantern Festival, Pacific Music Awards & Diwali. Social procurement for local residents/businesses, esp Maori & Pasifika

  • Well-managed local government and outcomes for Māori

    1. Protect the Port of Auckland from any future sale or lease off. Continue to make safety for Port workers a priority. Support POAL to continue to deliver profits and strong dividends for Auckland. 2. Support funding for flood/storm recovery initiatives that are community led and culturally appropriate 3. Ensure the Future Fund delivers dividends as promised & Manukau gets its fair share 4. Use the increased Maori Outcomes budget to complete Ngati Otara Marae, fund Matariki & Maori initiatives

Candidate's supporting links

These links to external websites have been provided by the candidates. The content on these websites does not reflect the views or positions of Auckland Council.

Disclaimer

The information on this page has been provided by the candidates. It does not reflect the views or positions of Auckland Council.