Basil Leo wants to eradicate poverty among his Pacific Island brothers and sisters. Not one to just sit and talk, the Te Atatu resident has spent about 10 years figuring out how it can be done.
His concept, which he calls the Pacific Islands Forum, is a trading platform for the goods and services of 16 Pacific Island nations, including New Zealand. Mr Leo has drafted a detailed design for the forum, an almost theme park-like set-up to be built somewhere in Auckland. Drawings show a huge central building shaped like a turtle, surrounded by small replica villages showcasing Polynesian, Melanesian and Micronesian culture.
Last month The Aucklander met Panmure resident Leakono Malolo whose similar concept - for a New Zealand National Pasifika Arts and Cultural Centre - was presented to the Auckland Council in the hope of inclusion in the 30-year plan.
Mr Leo says his idea is more comprehensive than that of Mr Malolo, as it includes a trade platform. He says his concept would encourage and assist micro-enterprises by providing a way for small producers and artisans to sell their goods abroad.
Mr Leo, who moved to New Zealand from Fiji in 1964, envisages that the project would be owned and operated collectively by those who provide the goods and services.
"It is important that the marginalised and poor take ownership of their problem and the project. In the past 20 years grand economic plans to close the gap - the Otahuhu market, the Pacific Islands Advisory Boards, Pacific leaders' initiatives, countless forums and symposiums - have fallen flat on their face, costing the New Zealand taxpayer an enormous amount of money. The Pacific Islands Forum is the only viable and sustainable economic development project in this country that is suited to, and able to help, Pacific Island people address their needs. This is tailored to the diverse cultures of the Pacific region .The plans would see a turtle- shaped building in the centre of the village."
Mr Leo foresees tourism activities at the site including cultural shows and concerts, canoe rides, a market, an overnight stay at a Maori pa and a restaurant serving Pacific cuisine.
Products from the islands, including jewellery, nuts and fruit - would be sold in the gift shop and restaurant.
"There would be a huge collection of art and there would be living villages. If the development was near the sea we could do up an old scow and offer trips on our terrific harbour."
For the past two years Mr Leo has cared for his young grandchildren, and the plan has been on hold. But now the time has come to try to find backers. "It would provide employment. That's a guarantee. What is important now is getting the right people to sit down and talk about it."
Mr Leo has already presented parts of his idea to his local MPs and Pacific Island leaders. Auckland-based marketing consultant Greg Strong, who is on a provisionary advisory board, says Mr Leo's idea is "a beautifully integrated whole".
"It allows for tourism promotion and for fair trade in a form that benefits the people, not just the importers and exporters. It exposes island culture in New Zealand and it's a chance for Pacific Island nations to expose their tourism facets to visitors to New Zealand who may not go to the islands."
Mr Strong says an architect assessed the cost at $30-$35 million.
"An enormous amount of work has already been done and we know what we need to achieve it," he says.
He says the next step is attracting enough funding for a comprehensive feasibility study, and ultimately, the forum would need some form of financial and moral support from the Government.