Auckland Filipinos seek local representation

October 1, 2016

Auckland Filipinos seek local representation

Francisco Hernandez at the Henderson night market. Photo: Supplied / Josephine Adams

Two candidates in Auckland’s local body elections are vying to be the first public office representatives for the Filipino community.

Francisco Hernandez is running for the Henderson-Massey Local Board and Monina Gesmundo is standing for the Waitematā District Health Board.

The 2013 census put the Filipino population at more than 40,000 but the Philippine ambassador Jesus “Gary” Domingo said this number had grown to 50,000 – around one per cent of the population.

Mr Domingo said the largest single concentration was in Auckland, with just over half of the Filipino population living there.

He said because of this, “it’s high time that Kiwis of Filipino descent are represented in elected government in New Zealand”.

Mr Hernandez is a Green Party member and said his area in West Auckland had become less safe, less fair and less green over the past nine years.

He wanted to stand for a strong and active local government that not only listened to these issues but took action.

“I want to serve as a role model of sorts and say to the Filipinos in the community ‘hey, we’re a part of this country too, we’re a part of this community, we’re one in 100 New Zealanders and we should be represented as well’,” said Mr Hernandez.

The 25-year-old is the former president of the Otago University Student’s Association and has familial ties to politics in the Philippines.

His father, Rossano, was a member of the governing party before the change in government in 2001 which prompted the family’s move to New Zealand.

Ms Gesmundo, a Labour Party member, moved to New Zealand as an adult and said she was running because of her values.

She believed budget allocations were a huge issue, especially within mental health services, which “are suffering because of short staffing … because of budget cuts”.

“I’m honestly running because I want to be of influence when it comes to decision making and secondly because I also want to bring the migrant voices.”

She said the main health issue affecting the Filipino community was chronic health disease.

Ms Gesmundo, who moved to New Zealand as an adult, had more than 24 years’ experience as a health professional in the Philippines and New Zealand.

Mr Domingo said he was very proud of both candidates.

“They really represent the best in our community.”

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