Tongan community leaders in Auckland call for end to gang violence [1]
Tuesday, June 14, 2022 - 19:49. Updated on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 - 19:51.
“We must draw the line so our youth know where we stand," - Rev. Ikilifi Pope.
Tongan community leaders in Auckland are organising a Talanoa this Friday to make a public call for peace in relation to the recent spate of gang violence including shootings that have occurred in the city over the last three weeks.
It comes ahead of next week's rugby league international between Mate Ma'a Tonga and the Kiwis, with concerns that rival gang members may rub shoulders during Mate Ma'a Tonga festivities.
The Secretary of Akiheuho - Aotearoa Tongan Health Workers Association, Pakilau Manase Lua, met with the CEO of Tonga Youth Trust, Rev. Ikilifi Pope, yesterday to call for community meeting of leaders this Friday.
“It’s been long overdue but we must address this problem as community leaders", Pakilau said in a statment today.
“Our silence may be taken the wrong way so we must draw the line so our youth know where we stand", said Ikilifi Pope.
This Friday 17 June from 8:00pm until late, a meeting will be hosted jointly by Akiheuho and Tonga Youth Trust supported by the Inasi Kava Club to talanoa and seek reconciliation and peace amongst the gangs and youth involved in Auckland.