Tongan supporters seek dedicated fan zone

South Auckland community leaders are rallying to create a dedicated fan zone to help Tongan rugby league fans celebrate safely.

Members of the Pacific community, with Tongan church and local business leaders, were due to meet Rugby League World Cup organisers and the Auckland Council last night about a plan for a fan zone.

A meeting held on Monday resulted in no set plans for a fan zone.

However, Pacific leaders told the Herald the local community — including the Otahuhu Business Association — was willing to set up an unofficial fan zone in Otahuhu if an official one was not sorted.

Manukau ward councillor Fa’anana Efeso Collins said one of the ideas they were looking at was creating a family-friendly event somewhere in the suburb, which has become a place where fans congregate, to celebrate.

“Everyone’s keen because we’re wanting to keep the revelry controlled. The last thing we need out South is things turning to custard.”

Tongan leader Melino Maka said the community’s large-scale support of their team — Mate Ma’a Tonga — had probably shocked organisers and officials.

“The organisers should’ve actually come to us earlier and have a plan with community groups about activities. I think the Pacific showed the whole of the world that: ‘I’ll support the tournament even before it kicks off’.”

Calls for a fan zone follows a number of disorder incidents that led to several arrests in and around South Auckland over the past few weeks.

Maka said last night’s meeting would confirm a location somewhere in the main Otahuhu shopping area that would be shut off for a set period for fans to celebrate on Saturday.

The hope was to have a set plan ahead of Tonga’s quarter-final match against Lebanon in Christchurch.

He said there was talk of plans to have a large screen at the site for people to watch the game. However, that was among things to be finalised last night.

Steve Armitage of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development said discussions with the World Cup organising committee and police indicated that fans attending the games and those at organised fan events were exceptionally well-behaved.

“The late-night behaviour in Otahuhu town centre is highly unlikely to be prevented by operating fan zones in the build-up to and during the games.” a difference; the best thing that I can do to help myself is to be helping others along the way.

“Helping others also feels damn good.”

Cato will swim across the Waitemata Harbour this weekend to raise money for charity Sweet Louise, the only charity in New Zealand that focuses solely on improving the quality of life for hundreds of women and men living with incurable breast cancer. She hopes to raise $15,000. “This charity is very dear to my heart and the work they do is so very special and valuable to its members.”

Waitemata District Commander Superintendent Tusha Penny said Cato was “an incredible role model”.

“She has an incredible light about her and we feel lucky that she is part of our police family.

“She never looks for excuses, never looks for the easy option and is totally focused on helping others — even when faced with the biggest fight of her life. “She’s a hero.” Cato’s workmate, Detective Kelly Farrant, who worked with her on both Operation Nepal and the Ranui abduction, also sung her praises.

“She is so clever and has such a great way with people. She is truly an inspiration and a role model.”