Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
The Pacific Islands Affairs spokesperson of New Zealand's opposition Labour Party is calling on the Auckland Council to show the national government it believes in the benefits of a multilingual society.
Su'a William Sio says the government, in its refusal to adopt a national language policy, has turned its back on Pasifika and Asian languages.
Mr Sio says having citizens who are able to communicate effectively in more than one language of social, cultural and economic benefit to New Zealand.
"We will be launching that strategy and presenting it to Auckland council who will then be charged with the task of taking it back to the full council and I am hopeful that the full council will adopt a strong policy and lead the way for the rest of New Zealand to follow."
Labour's Pacific Islands Affairs spokesperson, Su'a William Sio.