New Year Honours 2023 - Pasifika recipients

An esteemed list of Pasifika people from all sectors of Aotearoa have been honoured in this years New Years Honour awards roll out.

Community services, health, arts and media in particular saw lots of Pasifika representation this year.

Dr Apisalome Sikaidoka Talemaitoga who was recognised to be an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to health and the Pacific community says "I am proudest of the way we as a community of Pacific peoples showed that we respond to the health messages when it is delivered in a clinically and culturally competent way that respects our unique differences, uses our established infrastructures like chuches and kava clubs and uses our clinicians who are language competent also" of his achievement.

Awarded a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit from the arts sector, Samoan Rosanna Raymond says of her work: “My proudest highlight would be the collective work of the Pacific Sisters and SaVAge K’lub and all the amazing people and communities I have connected to through our work..”

For services to Tongan and Pacific communities, Mr Sefita Hao'uli has been awarded a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, he says "I'm happy to receive this not just for myself but also on behalf of the many colleagues and fellow workers who have also contributed to make a difference to our communities here in Aotearoa New Zealand and in our Pasifika region.

The list is long and they know who they are - and am also mindful that quite a number of them are no longer with us. But they have all come into frame today as I remind myself that no one ever achieves on his or her own."

How should the upcoming Dawn Raids apology be received? Tonga RSE coordinator Sefita Hao'uli says there are two distinct options. #NZQandA #nzpol pic.twitter.com/aKp8PuQB73

— Q+A (@NZQandA) June 27, 2021

Lead singer of popular Poly fonk band Ardijah, Betty-Anne Monga has been awarded a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to Music and she says of the honour "

And Coconet Producer Lisa Taouma who was honored with an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit says “I’m really, really grateful to the people that took the time to make this nomination - fa’afetai tele lava for the effort to do this. I’m so proud of our amazing young teams of Pacific people who have created worlds on screen for Pacific people. This is in recognition of all of us”

Malo lava to all 24 Pasifika recipients this year!  The full list of Pasifika recipients are listed below - 

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Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit:

The Honourable Mititaiagimene Young Vivian

For services to Niue

Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit:

Dr Apisalome Sikaidoka Talemaitoga

For services to health and the Pacific community

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Mr David Rodney Fane

For services to the performing arts

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Ms Lisa-Jane Taouma

For services to Pacific arts and the screen industry

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Mr Nathan Edward Fa'avae

For services to adventure racing, outdoor education and the Pacific community

Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit:

Father Paulo Sagato Filoialii

For services to the Pacific community

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Mr Sefita 'Alofi Hauoli

For services to Tongan and Pacific communities

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Dr Alana Marissa Lopesi

For services to the arts

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Marilyn Kolhase

For services to Pacific Arts and Education

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Dr Gina Annette Cole

For services to literature

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Ms Lakiloko Tepae Keakea

For services to Tuvaluan art

Mrs Felorini Ruta McKenzie

For services to Pacific education

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Mr Sullivan Luao Paea

For services to youth

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Ms Rosanna Marie Raymond

For services to Pacific art

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Ms Betty-Anne Maryrose Monga

For services to music

Queens Service Medal 

Ms Mamaitaloa Sagapolutele

For services to education and Pacific Communities  

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Mr Galumalemana Fetaiaimauso Marion Galumalemana

For services to the Pacific community

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Ms Hana Melania Halalele

For services to Pacific health

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Mr Brian Ma'a Sagala 

For services to Pacific communities 

Mrs Teurukura Tia Kekena

For services to the Cook Islands and Pacific communities

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Mr Nanai Pati Muaau

For services to Pacific Health 

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Mr Lomia Kaipati Semaia Naniseni 

For services to the Tokelau community 

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Mrs Kinaua Bauriri Ewels

For services to the Kiribati community

Honorary 

Tuifa’asisina Kasileta Maria Lafaele

For services to Pacific Health 

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Mrs Nemai Divuluki Vucago

For services to Fijian and Pacific Communities  

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Mrs Tofilau Nina Kirifi-Alai 

For services to education and the Pacific Community