19 Feb 2018

Pacific woman elected as Auckland super city councillor

7:43 pm on 19 February 2018

For the first time a Pacifica woman has been elected to New Zealand's largest city council, in Auckland.

Josephine Bartley

Josephine Bartley Photo: Supplied/ Facebook

Josephine Ruth Bartley said she was grateful for the support in her Maungakiekie-Tamaki electorate.

She beat her nearest rival by 1,493 votes to take the seat left vacant after Denise Lee resigned when she was elected to Parliament.

Ms Bartley said she would do her best to represent the diverse needs of her community, counting the win as a huge privilege.

"It felt very surreal and has been something I have been working away at for a long time now. It felt surreal but a real honour to have that validation from Tamaki Maungakiekie residents, it is just awesome."

Josephine Ruth Bartley , whose parents hail from the Samoan villages of Tapatapao and Sinamoga, will be sworn into the role on Thursday.