Photo credit: Barbara Edmonds and family.
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In Pasifika Wire’s first ever Podcast, Labour MP for the Mana electorate in Wellington, Barbara Rachael Fati Palepa Edmonds spoke about her journey to becoming a member of Parliament, the importance of having Pasifika and diverse voices around the decision table and the importance of policy that can impact the lives of Pasifika communities.
Barbara is aware of the responsibility placed on her shoulders not only as the MP for Mana and member of the Labour government, but also one of 10 Pasifika Labour MPs.
Barbara hails from the villages of Faleula, Faleatiu, Fasito’outa, Safotu and Asau.
While new to the role of MP, the mother of 8 is not new to the workings of parliament, working as a Private Secretary for two former National Ministers and in the last three years took on a Ministerial role as a Tax Policy Advisor for the Labour led government.
Barbara understands the significance of Labour’s historic win in the October 2020 general election and the vote of confidence given by Pasifika people.