There are calls for Pacific governments and New Zealand to work together to get stranded seasonal workers home.It’s believed there are more than 9000 RSE (Recognised Seasonal Employers) workers in the country – most of them from the Pacific.

Governance member of the Pacific Leadership Forum and chairman of the Pacific Response Coordination Team (PRCT) Pakilau Manase Lua is amongst Pasifika community leaders advocating for the seasonal workers here in New Zealand.

Manase is a fully installed Matāpule (traditional orator for his Chief Lord Ma’afu Tukui’aulahi noble of Vaini and Tokomololo and Minister of Defence in the Kingdom of Tonga). Manase was installed with the title “Pakilau o Aotearoa” or just Pakilau. Manase was born in the Kingdom of Tonga but grew up in Aotearoa where he has lived now for over 40 years, he is married to Folola (21st anniversary yesterday) and they have four wonderful children. Manase holds a number of key community roles:

National Manager Kanorau (diversity and inclusion programme);

a member of the Executive Leadership Team for Te Pou o te Whakaaro Nui; Principal Advisor Pasifika at Te Pou. He is on the boards of Fonua Ola and the Aotearoa Tongan Health Workers Association, incoming Chairman of the Auckland Museum PAG committee, a Governance member of the Pacific Leadership Forum and chairman of the Pacific Response Coordination Team (PRCT) and also works for Leadership NZ, as a Co-facilitator for the Mana Moana Experience Programme from which he graduated in 2018.