Meet Anahila
Anahila is proud of the work that Labour has done for the diverse communities that live in Papakura. She has worked hard since 2017 to ensure we improve the lives of our people by bringing the issues of everyday New Zealanders to Parliament and help promote positive, lasting change. She is a mother, a social worker, and an influencer. She is passionate about supporting Pasifika communities across the country, but especially in her South Auckland and Papakura communities. Anahila is the New Zealand Representative to the Pacific Region Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians where women delegates and MPs unite to discuss causes affecting women in Parliament. She had success in amending the Commonwealth Parliament Association constitution to ensure that travelling delegations are made up of at least 30% women.
Anahila is a List MP based in Papakura and has been in Parliament since 2017. She is the Chair of the Pasifika Caucus, the Deputy Chair of the Social Services and Community Select Committee and has been heavily involved in the Wāhine Caucus.
Tongan born and raised in Aotearoa, Anahila has been able to act as a catalyst for action and change for women, social services and community groups. She is passionate about supporting Pasifika communities across the country, but especially in her South Auckland and Papakura communities as she has been involved with Pacifica Inc, Radio Tonga, the New Zealand Tongan RFA, and is the Chair of the Aotearoa Tongan Response Committee. Anahila is the New Zealand Representative to the Pacific Region Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians where women delegates and MPs unite to discuss causes affecting women in Parliament. She had success in amending the Commonwealth Parliament Association constitution to ensure that travelling delegations are made up of at least 30% women.
Her passion for social welfare and community support does not stop there. Anahila came into Parliament after 17 years of combined frontline social work and managerial positions within Oranga Tamariki across the country supporting children and whānau. She is now the Deputy Chair of the Social Services and Community Select Committee which allows her to continue supporting New Zealanders every day. She continues this work in Parliament, such as with her Members Bill that passed in 2021 to protect those with disabilities from having necessary items for their care, support, or independence seized by debtors.