PACIFIC PEOPLE RECOGNISED in NEW ZEALAND'S NEW YEARS HONOURS LIST
Thirteen Pacific people have been recognised in the New Zealand New Years Honours list and Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio has congratulated the Pacific recipients named in the New Year’s Honours.
“The recipients have made an outstanding contribution within the Pacific community and I know that the Pacific community will celebrate in their success,” Mr Sio says.
. Former All Black and Manu Samoa rugby coach Tuifa'asisina Bryan George Willams aka BeeGee is now a 'Sir' and has been appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to rugby, only one of 3 new Knights & four Dames in the Honours List.
It is his fourth honour, having previously received the Order of the British Empire in 1983, the Samoan Order of Merit in 1996 and the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2013.
Other Pacific people honored on this years list come from a wide variety of sectors and includes -
Member of the Order of New Zealand
- Sharon Wilson-Davis for Services to the Pacific Community
.
Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit
- Dr Siutafa Deborah Ryan, Wellington, for services to the Pacific community and health
- Dr Palatasa Havea, Palmerston North, for services to the Pacific community and Dairy industry
- Kabini Fa'ari Sanga, Wellington, for services to education and the Pacific community
- Ms Petrina Marie Togi-Sa'ena, Auckland, for services to Pacific music
.
Honorary Appointments to New Zealand Order of Merit - Valeti Finau, Auckland, for services to education and the Pacific community
- Charles Enoka Kiata, Waitakere, for services to the Pacific community
- Sereana Comeke Phillips, Masterton, for services to the Fijian community
.
Queens Service Medal - Foumana Alene-Tumataiki, Auckland, for services to the Niue community and education
- Inga Nu'u, Auckland, for services to the community - Mii Hinarere I Te Poerava Tupangaia, for services to the Cook Islands community - Filipo Lui, for services to the Tokelauan community
It is his fourth honour, having previously received the Order of the British Empire in 1983, the Samoan Order of Merit in 1996 and the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2013.
