The Samoan community has seen right through John Key’s political manoeuvrings in appointing Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga outside cabinet, says Labour’s Spokesperson for Pacific Island Affairs, Su’a William Sio.

“I heard today during my weekly radio slot with Samoa Radio 1593am that the community has interpreted Peseta’s ministerial appointment as a political sleight of hand, appointing him as a minister, but keeping him outside of Cabinet.

“People are reading this as a National Government being disingenuous and that National doesn’t take Pacific peoples seriously. These actions reflect how out of touch they are with Pacific peoples and our aspirations and dreams for our children and New Zealand as a whole.

“Mr Lotu-Iiga’s very first utterance as a Minister speaks loud on how out of touch he and his Government are on Pacific peoples in business.  Not only do we have Pacific people in small businesses, but we’ve got Pacific people who own and run big multi-million dollar businesses. He only needed to speak to the Pacific Business Trust to know this.

“He is also parroting the former minister’s belief about Pacific languages and he is also washing his hands from supporting, encouraging and protecting Pacific languages.

“Many in our community recognise that Peseta is well qualified to be a Minister but when they learnt he is outside of Cabinet, have aired their disappointment and are now wondering if he is simply a puppet for the Puppet Master,” said Su’a William Sio