Amidst the unveiling of the King's Birthday Honours List, the spotlight falls on the remarkable achievements of Pasifika individuals. These honourees exemplify excellence, embodying resilience and innovation in their respective fields. As our Pasifika whanau celebrate those who have contributed excellence to their communities, get to know them here!

Officers of the NZ Order of Merit (ONZM)

Anapela Polataivao

For her contributions to the Pacific performing arts - Anapela will be well known to our Coconet audience, having made multiple appearances playinga wide array of characters, most notably one half of the hilarious 'Pani & Pani' duo.

She has directed multiple works, including Sol3 Mio’s original opera Alofagia: Le Opera and Tusiata Avia’s Wild Dogs Under My Skirt’, some of which have toured NZ, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Rev. Taimoanaifakaofo Kaio

For services to the Pacific community - In 2001, Very Reverend Taimoanaifakaofo Kaio assumed the role of Moderator for the North Shore Presbytery in Epsom, and then served as the Moderator General of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand from 2018 to 2021.

Additionally, he has played a pivotal role in guiding multicultural faith communities, facilitating services in various languages such as Tokelauan, Samoan, Niuean, Cook Islands Māori, and English.

Members of the NZ Order of Merit (MNZM)

Bridget Piu Kauraka

For services to the Cook Islands community - Bridget Kauraka has been instrumental in Te Punanga O Te Reo Kūki ‘Āirani Incorporated for more than 30 years, a pioneering institution founded in 1983 to address the decline of the Cook Islands Māori language and childcare accessibility.

Kauraka’s roles have varied from community engagement to Early Childhood Education (ECE), demonstrating enduring dedication and leadership.

Frances Mary Latu Oakes, JP

For services to mental health and the Pacific community - Frances Oakes has been contributing to mental health in the Waitaki District for more than 30 years.

Oakes has played a critical role in providing critical crisis intervention, grief support, triage and case management services in the region. She helped establish the Counselling Centre (now Waitaki Community Mental Health Service) a key organisation providing essential mental health support to the region. 

Leitualaalemalietoa Lynn Lolokini Pavihi

For services to Pacific education - Leitualaalemalietoa Pavihi has been contributing to education for 19 years and was integral in the establishment of the first Niue language bilingual unit which opened in 2021 at Favona School in Auckland.

Leitualaalemalietoa has been an Associate Principal of Favona School since 2020 and has driven the Niue bilingual unit to ensure it continues its aim of revitalisation of the language for the Niue community. 

King's Service Medal (KSM)

Mailigi Hetutū

For services to the Niuean community - Mailigi Hetutū is a Niue community leader in Wellington who has been contributing to the preservation and revitalisation of the Niuean language, culture and heritage for 30 years.

Hetutū established and delivered Niue language classes in Porirua and the Hutt Valley in Wellington for young children and their families. She has been one of the voices of the Wellington Punaaga Vaghau Niue programme and host of the 531p Pacific Media Network radio station since 2014, providing the community with updates, education and entertainment.

Maituteau Karora

For services to the Cook Islands community - Maitu Karora has been contributing to the Cook Islands community in New Zealand for more than 20 years.

Karora has provided leadership to the Enuamanu-Atiu Nui Maruarua Society as elected President between 2002 and 2017, established to fundraise for the build of a community hall in Mangere, to provide a space for the Atiu, Cook Islands community. 

Tupuna Mataki Kaiaruna

For services to the Cook Islands community and performing arts - Tupuna Kaiaruna is a musician and composer who has been involved in the teaching and preservation of Cook Islands language and performance arts in Tokoroa and Auckland since the 1980s.

Kaiaruna was Youth Leader of the Enuamanu Atiu-nui Maruarua Society from 1997 to 2017. From 1989 to 1991 he led and tutored the Atiu Enua team who competed in the Cook Island Constitution Competition in New Zealand, coming top in all categories.