Twenty four Pasifika in New Zealand have been recognised in the country's New Year's honours, among 183 recipients named yesterday. They are drawn from the arts and media, business, health, education, sport, voluntary work, science and technology.

A Tongan, Sefita Hao’uli, became a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to Tongan and Pacific communities. Sefita is a former broadcaster and journalist who has worked and lived in New Zealand for over 50 years. He is on contract with the Tongan government and for over a decade has managed relationships between the seasonal workers from Tonga who are employed at many job sites throughout New Zealand under the RSE scheme. He is a long-standing member of the New Zealand Tonga Business Council (NZTBC) executive. His father is from Mo'unga'one and Sefita grew up in Lotofoa, Foa, Ha'apai.

Among the Pasika celebrated in this year’s New Year honours are a former Premier of Niue and a leading Pacific doctor in the fight against COVID-19. Young Vivian who was the leader of Niue in the 1990’s and 2000’s led the response to Cyclone Heta and oversaw the construction of Niue’s Foou Hospital. He has been made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

NZ Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio, said “Young Vivian has been a great voice for Niue’s culture and language.”

“I am also delighted to see that Dr Apisalome Talemaitoga who has been a resolute champion for the Pacific Community in the battle against COVID-19has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Dr Talemaitoga was instrumental in communicating the vaccine message to our community. He is now Co-Chair of the National COVID-19 response group.

“It’s also great that Pacific humour is reflected on this list with comedian David Fane being made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. David Fane was a founder of the Naked Samoans troupe.

“Another champion of our Pacific Community is Nathan Fa’avae who has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. “Nathan Fa’avae has pioneered women’s adventure racing and founded the Fa’avae Foundation which funds Pacific young people who want to experience outdoor education.

“Those being honoured also reflect the fantastic diversity of areas that Pacific peoples are making a strong contribution in – which includes business, community, language, culture and the arts, health, and of course the recipients reflect the diversity of our communities that are the face of the New Zealand’s future,” Sio said.

List of Pacific recipients:

Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit

• Honourable Mititaiagimene Young Vivian, for services to Niue  

Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit

• Mr Nathan Fa’avae, for services to adventure racing, outdoor education and the Pacific community
• Mr David Fane, for services to the performing arts
• Dr Apisalome Talemaitoga, for services to health and the Pacific community
• Ms Lisa Taouma, for services to Pacific arts and the screen industry  

Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit

• Dr Gina Cole, for services to literature
• Father Paulo Filoialii, for services to the Pacific community
• Mr Sefita Hao’uli, for services to Tongan and Pacific communities
• Ms Lakiloko Keakea, for services to Tuvaluan art
• Ms Marilyn Kohlhase, for services Pacific arts and education
• Dr Lana Lopesi, for services to the arts
• Mr Sully Paea, for services to youth
• Ms Rosanna Raymond, for services to Pacific art  

Queen’s Service Medal

• Mrs Kinaua Ewels, for services to the Kiribati community
• Mr Galumalemana Galumalemana, for services to the Pacific community
• Ms Hana Halalele, for services to Pacific health
• Mrs Teurukura Kekena, for services to the Cook Islands and Pacific communities
• Mr Nanai Muaau, for services to Pacific health
• Mr Lomia Naniseni, for services to the Tokelau community
• Mr Ma’a Brian Sagala, for services to Pacific communities
• Ms Mamaitaloa Sagapolutele, for services to education and the Pacific community  

Honorary Queen’s Service Medal

• Tofilau Nina Kirifi-Alai, for services to education and the Pacific community
• Tuifa’asisina Maria Lafaele, for services to Pacific health
• Mrs Nemai Vucago, for services to Fijian and Pacific communities