New Hutt City Mayor Ken Laban’s first appearance after his election win was supporting E tū members on the Resene picket line
This year’s local elections were another important opportunity for E tū members to help shape the future of their communities. Councils make choices about the things that affect us every day, including housing, transport, water services, libraries, and local facilities. When workers’ voices are represented around those tables, the whole community benefits.
Once again, E tū members stepped up. Across the motu, members volunteered on campaigns, talked with neighbours, and backed candidates who support decent jobs, strong public services, and councils committed to progressing or maintaining Living Wage accreditation.
There were some major wins for our movement. In Wellington, former EPMU National Secretary Andrew Little was elected mayor with a decisive result, running on a platform of fairness, better services, and community leadership. In Te Awa Kairangi Hutt City, long-time E tū member, broadcaster, and community advocate Ken Laban became Aotearoa’s first Pasefika mayor. This is an historic achievement and a proud moment for many across the wider region.
Members were active in many other areas too, from supporting returning councillors with strong worker values to helping new candidates take their first steps into public life. These efforts show the difference our union can make when members organise together, both in workplaces and in civic life.
Local elections matter for our jobs and for our whānau. When councils value public services, ensure fair employment practices, and plan for thriving communities, working people feel the benefits. The results this year demonstrate once again that workers can shape the direction of their cities and towns when we get involved.
Nia Bartley
Central Region RepresentativeCentral Region Representative“Fa’amalo le tauivi ma finau malosi”
“Well done for the perseverance and the strong contention”It was an honour to be invited to the launch of E tū union member Fauono Ken Laban’s mayoralty campaign in August this year. A successful campaign which saw him elected in October as the new Mayor of Te Awakairangi Lower Hutt, and Aotearoa’s first tagata Pasifika mayor (Samoa; Tuvalu).
As a fellow tagata Pasifika unionist from working class roots, I, together with many others, am proud of this momentous achievement. He will lead the most diverse and inclusive council ever in this region.
The benefits and experience will extend beyond Lower Hutt and the greater Wellington region, which is second only to Auckland in having the largest tagata Pasifika population, as he works to advance all and not just a few.
Fauono Ken supports fellow E tū union members at Resene fighting for a Living Wage. His older sister, Luamanuvao Dame Winifred (Winnie) Laban, was the first Pacific Island MP when she entered parliament in 1999.
Both Fauono Ken and Luamanuvao Dame Winnie, from Wainuiomata, will continue their lifelong commitment to serving our communities and be an inspiration to us all.
