Gold Medal Labour man

Mana (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 4, 18 August 1977, Page 4

Gold Medal Labour man

Mr Charlieauli Fataaiki, aged 74 years, was presented with a long service gold medal and a life membership certificate by Mr Isbey, MP, on Saturday, 30 July, at a feast put on by his family and relatives at St Paul’s College Hall in Grey Lynn. The award was for Mr Fataaiki’s continuous long and faithful service to the Labour Party (Niue Branch) Auckland. Before he came to New Zealand, Mr Fataaiki was a prominent Niuean citizen and a well known tailor on the island. He was also instrumental in introducing the Catholic church to Niue just before he left for New Zealand. Not long after his arrival in New Zealand in 1953, Mr Fataaiki became a member and subsequently a vicepresident of the Niue Branch of New Zealand Labour Party in Auckland. He held the position of vice-president until 1975 when he retired because of ill health. In presenting Mr Fataaiki with the gold medal and the life membership certificate, Mr Isbey apologised for Mr Rowling, Leader of Opposition, who was unable to be present at the ceremony because of other prior commitments. Mr Isbey spoke about the good things that were being done by the people from the islands to enhance the image of New Zealand’s multi-cultural society. He said that it was a good thing to see the people from the islands doing their best to preserve their culture and values, which

was in fact their identity. He con gratulated Mr Fataaiki for his faithful service to the Party and he hoped that other Niuean members of the Party would follow suit. The feast was followed by the giving of presents (money, material goods, etc.) and speeches to Mr Fataaiki by his friends and relations. The quests guests were entertained by Mr Fataaiki’s family string band. Mr Fataaiki requested a special message to be published in Mana. He would like to extend his heartfelt thanks to the Leader of Opposition, Mr Rowling, Mr Isbey, and Mr Jack Naea and the New Zealand Labour Party for the great honour awarded to him. He wished to pay a special tribute to Mr Jack Naea, President of the Niue Branch (Auckland) of the Labour Party, who was instrumental in introducing him to the Party when he landed in New Zealand. He said that one of his exciting experiences as a member of the.Labour Party was when he and his wife accompanied Mr Jack Naea and his wife to the Labour Party’s Conference in Christchurch in 1975 as Auckland Niuean representatives.