Sixteen Pasifika recognised in Queen's Birthday Honours List

Dr Colin Tukuitonga heads the list of Pacific recipients in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for 2022.

This year's Queen's Birthday Honours coincide with the celebrations of Queen Elizabeth's 70 years as monarch, so have been renamed the Queen's Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours.

Dr Tukuitonga has received the Knights Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Pacific and public health.

Sir Colin joins sixteen Pacific people also recognised for their contributions to health, education, sport, the arts and many other sectors.

Sir Colin is Associate Dean Pacific and Associate Professor of Public Health at the University of Auckland.

He has been active in the COVID-19 response information, particularly for the Pasifika community.

Sir Colin said he is humbled to have been nominated.

"I wasn't aware that this was happening, so it's a humbling experience," he said.

"I'm thankful to be acknowledged, I should also say that it's not just myself, I think it's an acknowledgement of all the people involved and I'm just fortunate to have been nominated - there are lots of people in our community who do the work day and day out."

Sir Colin plans on celebrating his achievement with his children but hopes to be able to visit Niue soon.

Sports

Leaupepe Luteru Ross Poutoa Lote-Taylor has also been honoured for services to cricket and Pacific communities.

Leaupepe retired from cricket and signed off as New Zealand's most successful test batsman, with 7683 runs including 19 centuries from 112 matches between 2007 and 2022, with a batting average of 44.66 runs.

"I've been fortunate enough to play cricket for the Black Caps for several years and thoroughly enjoyed it, and being able to help others both on and off the field," he said.

Leaupepe said contributing to the Pacific community is something he wants to continue doing.

"I'm a proud Kiwi and I'm a proud Samoan as well. I've been fortunate to have the platform to give back throughout my career and now that I'm retired I look forward to giving back more."

Having received numerous awards throughout his cricket career, Luteru said being honoured by the Queen is 'extra special.

"As a cricketer, you want to do your best to your ability but to be recognised like this - it's not just for me, it's my teammates who have helped me out and my family and friends who sacrificed a lot for me."

Arts

New Zealand-born Samoan opera singer Jonathan Lemalu is in disbelief after being made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to opera.

Mr Lemalu is a Grammy Award-winning bass-baritone who has been performing internationally for over 20 years.

He said it was a complete surprise to be awarded the honour.

"I honestly didn't believe it. I thought it was a joke," Lemalu said.

"Hilarious in a way because it didn't sound like something that would be happening to me. Mum got a Queens honours in 2006 for services to the Pacific community. It felt cool in a way to follow in her footsteps."

Education

Mangere College Deputy Principal Melegalenuu Ah Sam was also in shock when she found out she was on the Queen's Birthday Honours 2022 List.

Melegalenuu Ah Sam has become a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Pacific language education.

Beginning in the mid-1990s, Mrs Ah Sam established Samoan language teaching at the college, later driving the addition of Cook Islands Māori and Lea Faka-Tonga.

She led the establishment of the Languages 'L Block' at the college in 2012, as a hub for Māori and Pacific learning in language and culture.

"I paused and then I read the email again," Mrs Ah Sam said.

"And then I just said a short prayer. I feel humbled, I just want to thank the people that recognised the work that myself and my colleagues and everyone else in the education sector are doing."

"For me personally I'm not expecting any rewards, I'm not expecting anything like this, I do it because I love working in education and I love teaching. So to be nominated is a privilege and an honour."

Mrs Ah Sam said growing up in Samoa, her parents were her best role models.

"My parents played a huge part in my life. They made sure that we strived to be the best we can be - my mother was a nurse, and my dad was a Samoan judge," she said.

"I didn't feel that I wanted to get into nursing, but they allowed me to come to New Zealand on a scholarship and they instilled in my sisters and brothers the importance of achievement and success in whatever field."

Pasifika recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for 2022:

• To be a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit: Lesi Atoni for services to the Tokelau community
• To be a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit: Sandra Borland for services to nursing and the Pacific community
• To be a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit: Matthew and Sarah Brown for services to mental health and the prevention of family violence
• To be a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit: Siaosi Fa'alogo for services to the New Zealand Police and the community
• To be a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit: Dr Linita Manu'atu for services to Pacific education and the Tongan community
• To be a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit: Tolupene Peau for services to the Tokelau community
• To be a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit: Bill Urale for services to music and the community
• To be a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit: Kiriovea Jasmin McSweeney for services to the film industry
• The Queen's Service Medal: Gabrielle-Sisifo Makisi for services to Pacific communities and education
• The Queen's Service Medal: Reverend Salafai Mika for services to church ministry and the Samoan community
• The Queen's Service Medal: Reverend Hiueni Nuku for services to Tongan and Pacific communities
• The Queen's Service Medal: Vaipou Saluni for services to education and the Pacific community
• The Queen's Service Medal: Luther Toloa for services to the Pacific community