Minister bound for UN status-of-women meeting

The Rev Alofa Lale has been selected to travel to New York City for the 60th Commission on the...
The Rev Alofa Lale has been selected to travel to New York City for the 60th Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations in March. Photo by Gerard O'Brien.

Being among 6000 people in New York City, discussing issues affecting women, is an opportunity to learn for one Dunedin woman.

The Rev Alofa Lale, of the Dunedin South Presbyterian Church, is one of a 10-strong Kiwi contingent making the trip to the 60th Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations headquarters from March 12-24.

"I've never been anywhere that you would call far away before,'' she said.

"I was excited. I thought it would be really good to go ... to share some experiences that might help and inform others. It's a privilege to have been selected and I am determined to honour the opportunity.''

Mrs Lale and nine other members of the Presbyterian Women Aotearoa New Zealand delegation had to apply and be accepted to attend and would learn about and discuss issues affecting women, including family violence, development and empowerment.

"Just to think that you can be in a room with thousands of other women to help to improve the status of women wherever they are is exciting,'' she said.

A concert featuring New Zealand Pacific Music Awards best Pacific male artist and best Pacific gospel artist TJ Taotua was being held to help fund the $6000 Ms Lale needed to make the trip.

The event is on Thursday at the Salvation Army Hall and will also feature two of Mrs Lale's children playing in bands, along with Pacific Island music and culture.

Mrs Lale is also using proceeds from her Samoan language classes to fund the trip.

A minister for seven years, the former schoolteacher said she was looking forward to starting a new job at the Queens Dr church after being made redundant from the Otago Peninsula Presbyterian Parish in April after it dissolved.

She would work 12 hours a week, allowing her to continue her language classes and community work.

Mrs Lale can be contacted on alofa.lale@gmail.com.

rhys.chamberlain@odt.co.nz

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