Community leader Pakilau Manase Lua at the Tongan Council of Churches and Aotearoa Tonga Response Group church service. Photo: RNZ Pacific/Lydia Lewis
A prominent Pacific community leader says he's "saddened" and "appalled" by the New Zealand government's recent decisions.
The government plans to review the Treaty of Waitangi and scrap anti-smoking laws, which would disproportionately impact Maori and Pasifika.
Minister for Health and Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti says "Pasifika should be encouraged that Prime Minister Christopher Luxon placed a very senior person at the helm of the ministry - and that it should send a signal."
However Tongan leader Pakilau Manase Lua says so far, the new government has "sent all the wrong signals."
RNZ Pacific's Eleisha Foon reports.
