Beating inspires suburban rally

By Chris Daniels

The horrific beating of a Mangere good Samaritan has provoked a community backlash against violent crime.

Father and son team James Papali'i sen and James jun are summoning local people to a rally against violence, after a New Zealand Herald report last month of the beating of Fatu Aiono.

Mr Aiono, a 35-year-old father of two, was bashed outside two popular Mangere nightclubs after he stopped to help a stranger who was being attacked.

The younger Mr Papali'i, a Manukau City councillor, said the Herald story prompted him and his father, who is coordinator of the Fesoasoani Trust, to organise a public meeting to discuss the problem of alcohol-fuelled violence in the Mangere town centre.

After the attack on Mr Aiono, local detective Faa Vaaelua said such assaults were run of the mill and a regular occurrence in the suburb.

The owners of the two bars, the Tivoli Tavern and the Apia Way club, have been invited to next Saturday's meeting, and Mr Papali'i said better lighting in the bars' car parks would help solve the problem.

"However, the real answer lies with our people."

Matai (chiefs), who were respected by the young and the Pacific Island community, could be used to calm people down when they left the bars, he said.

Similar to Maori Wardens, matai would get to know the local patrons and help defuse potentially violent situations.

"In Pacific culture, our elderly people are respected. This can help form part of the solution."

Those who offended frequently had a background of village life only. "They are coming here with more freedom. In the village scene, it would not happen.

"In this situation, they are finding they can get away with things."

One aim might be to introduce more traditional values. "These young people still respect their elders and have the church link. We have to make it more visible.

"When they come out of those taverns and see a lot of matai around from their own culture, the feeling is going to be less confrontational."

Owners of the Mangere bars were running the premises well. The violence came when patrons left for the night.

"Our local police put themselves at risk each time they are called out to this hot spot. Innocent people are being seriously hurt."

* The meeting in the old school hall at 299 Kirkbridge Rd will be held at 1 pm. MPs, business owners, youth workers, Samoan and Tongan ministers, local councillors and police are among those invited.