PACIFIC ALLIED (WOMEN'S) COUNCIL INSPIRES FAITH IN IDEALS CONCERNING ALL. INCORPORATED
ABOUT PACIFICA INC.
"If I see further, it is because I stand on the shoulders of giants."
P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A. Incorporated is a national non-government organisation (NGO) for Pacific women living in Aotearoa New Zealand. It was established as a result of a Pacific Women's Conference held in Auckland in 1976 and became an incorporated society in 1977. All women are eligible to become members of P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A. irrespective of background, faith and ethnicity – as long as they agree to support and abide by the aims and objectives of the organisation
National Presidents | 1977 - 2023
Eleitino Paddy Walker
1977-1980
Louisa Crawley
1981-1985
Eti Laufiso
1986 -1988
Teupoko'ina Utanga Morgan
1989 -1992
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Tepaeru Mere Tereora
1993 -1997
Tafaeafe Malifa-Poutoa 1998 - 2000
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Dr Diane Mara
2006 - 2010
Sally Dalhousie
2011 - 2013
Tagaloatele Prof Peggy Fairbairn-Dunlop
2013 - 2015
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Caren Rangi
2015 - 2017
Tofilau Bernadette Pereira
2017 - 2021
Rev. Alofa Lale
2021 - 2023
Our Objectives
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To provide opportunities for Pasifika women to contribute effectively to the cultural, social, economic and political development of Aotearoa New Zealand and its people.
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To give Pasifika women opportunities to plan and work together for the stability and development of themselves, their families, their communities and so contribute to the development of the country.
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To create ways and means for Pasifika women to overcome barriers that may hinder their ability to reach their full potential.
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To inspire unity among women of Pasifika descent in the furtherance of these aims so that all can speak with one voice in true fellowship.
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To initiate and promote policies and programmes that support Pasifika women to take active decision-making roles in their lives.
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To initiate and support programmes promoting the education, welfare, health and social development of Pasifika families and Pasifika family life.
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To promote understanding between women of all races.
Youth and Branch
Development
The Young PACIFICA Representative on the National Executive works in conjunction with members and branches, to network with younger members between the ages of 12 and 25 years of age inclusive.
The aim is to identify the issues and needs of young members so that these can be acknowledged and responded to at all levels of the organisation.
Vice Presidents of each region work with Branch Presidents to develop members and branches, hold regional events and activities, and develop new branches.
The first inaugural Young Womens Conference was held at the PACIFICA Inc. National Conference and AGM in Wellington, February 2019.
More on the Young PACIFICA Hub page:
Building relationships locally and globally
As a national organisation PACIFICA Inc participates with other like-minded Pacific organisations in maintaining relationships and networks internally and externally. Representatives of the organisation meet regularly with the Ministry for Women (MfW) and the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP). A close relationship is maintained with the Maori Women's Welfare League (Te Ropu Wahine Maori Toko i te Ora), and other womens organisations such as National Advisory Committee on the Employment of Women (NACEW), and the National Council of Women in New Zealand (NCWNZ).
Regionally and internationally PACIFICA Inc was a founding member of the International Women's Caucus convened by the Ministry for Women.
In 2007, the National President of PACIFICA Inc was part of the government delegation attending the United Nations Committee on the Status of Women (CSW) and the presentation of the CEDAW report by the New Zealand government as well as the national women's organisations presentations of their Shadow Reports (NCW & MWWL) on the progress of the elimination of discrimination against women.
PACIFICA Inc. submitted in June 2019 an application for UN ECOSOC consultative status which was to be decided in 2020 but the impact of Covid-19 globally has delayed a decision. In 2021, PACIFICA Inc. was granted a special consultative status by the UN ECOSOC. This was a historic and monumental achievement for the organisation and for Pasifika women and families in New Zealand.
