Pacific people across Aotearoa New Zealand have been recognised for their contribution and service to Aotearoa New Zealand in the Queen’s Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours List 2022.
Dr Collin Fonotau Tukuitonga described as a Pacific champion during the COVID-19 pandemic has been made a Knights Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM) .
Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio says, “Dr Tukuitonga over the past two years has been a calm and steady voice for immunisation in the Pacific,”
Fa’afetai Jonathan Lemalu is made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. The Grammy award-winning operatic bass, has performed internationally at venues including London’s Royal Opera House and New York’s Metropolitan Opera.
Based in the UK, he represented New Zealand with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Olympics Arts Festival in 2000 and the Orchestra’s first ever BBC Promenade concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 2005.
Fa’afetai sang at the United Kingdom Memorial Service for Sir Edmund Hillary at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle in 2008.
For services to nursing and the Pacific community in Invercargill, Mrs Sandy Borland is made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Sandra has served the Pacific community in Southland through health care for more than 30 years. She is heavily involved in the PACIFICA Invercargill organisation, holding several roles including as President between 2010 and 2011, Vice Secretary between 2011 and 2014 and currently as Vice President since 2014.
Through PACIFICA, she led a drive to support Samoa through the measles outbreak in 2019, communicating with nurses in Samoa to gather baby products, baby baths, Vaseline, disposable items and liaising with a local freight company for delivery.
She helped establish a Pacific Health Clinic in Murihiku which provides health services to the community in a culturally responsive manner. Through the clinic, she supplies items to Pacific families in need including bedding, furniture, food parcels, and home cooked meals. She has been a member of several advisory boards including those relating to sexual health, asthma, and vaccination. She is the recipient of the Kiwibank, Local Hero Award, 2019 and Nursing Excellence Award, 2010.
For services to the Tokelau community Mrs Neta Peau is also made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Neta is a prominent leader within the Tokelau community in Auckland.
Mrs Peau had a passion for sport since migrating to New Zealand at age 15 and represented New Zealand at regional levels and Samoa and Tokelau at international levels in rugby league. She served as Vice-Captain of the Samoan Rugby League Team in 2008 and gathered Tokelauan players in the Tag World Cup in Auckland in 2012.
She has been an Executive Member of the Auckland Tokelau Society for ten years, providing cultural guidance and leadership.
Ms Gabrielle – Sisifo Blanche Dunlop Makisi from Wellington is awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for her services to the Pacific community and Edcuation.
Minister Sio says, “I wish all those Pasifika people who have been honoured the very best and I am delighted they remain champions for our communities,”
Malo lava to this year’s Pacific recipients:
KNZM
- Dr Collin Fonotau Tukuitonga, for services to Pacific and public health
CNZM
- Mr Luteru Ross Poutoa Taylor, for services to cricket and Pacific communities
ONZM
- Mr Fa’afetai Jonathan Lemalu, for services to opera
- Mrs Bridget Snedden, for services to people with learning disabilities
MNZM
- Mrs Melegalenu’u Ah Sam, for services to Pacific language education
- Mr Les Lehi Tenise Atoni, for services to the Tokelau community
- Mrs Sandra (Sandy) Borland, for services to nursing and the Pacific community
- Mr Siaosi (George) Fa’alogo, for services to the New Zealand Police and the community
- Mr Matthew Faafetai Malietoa (Mataio) Brown, for services to mental health and the prevention of family violence
- Dr Linita Manu’atu, for services to Pacific education and the Tongan community
- Ms Kiriovea Jasmin McSweeney, for services to the film industry
- Mrs Tolupene (Neta) Peau, for services to the Tokelau community
- Mr Bill Urale, for services to music and the community
QSM
- Ms Gabrielle-Sisifo Makisi, for services to Pacific communities and education
- Reverend Vaelua Salafai Mika, for services to church ministry and the Samoan community
- Reverend Hiueni Nuku, for services to Tongan and Pacific communities
- Mrs Vaipou Saluni, for services to education and the Pacific community
- Mr Luther Alafia Toloa, QPM, JP, for services to the Pacific community
Feature image:Feature image: Dr. Sir. Colin Tukuitonga KNZM (Image: AUT), Mrs. Sandra Borland (MNZM) (Image: PACIFICA Southland), Mrs. Tolupene (Neta) Peau (Image: Auckland War Memorial Museum), Ms. Gabrielle-Sisifo Makisi (Image: pasifika.tki.org.nz), Mr. Fa’afetai Jonathan Lemalu ONZM (Image: Wikipedia)