A relentless passion for helping the Pasifika community is honoured
A driver of change in support of better health and welfare for Pasifika people has been awarded an honorary fellowship
from Wintec.
Leaupepe Elizapeta (Peta) Karalus was awarded a prestigious Honorary Fellowship at Wintec’s Health and Social Practice
Graduation ceremony this week.
On receiving the award, Karalus shared some insights with the 180 health and social practice graduates at the event.
“This award is uplifting and important for the work we do in our communities. We can never be fully prepared, so never
stop learning.
“The recent events in Christchurch against Muslim people have brought us to unite with these people we have never stood
with before. Graduates, I encourage you to see the value in every person you meet.”
Wintec council Chair Barry Harris said that Karalus’ conferment at Wintec’s Health and Social Practice Graduation event
was fitting, considering her considerable passion for nursing.
“Peta, as she is known to many, is a health professional with many years’ experience who has a relentless passion for
helping the Pasifika community.
“It is extremely fitting that Peta receives an Honorary Fellowship at this ceremony, as Peta’s passion is nursing. In
fact, Peta taught nursing at Wintec and this fired up her passion to wrap more support around Pasifika and Māori
students in education and health.”
Harris said Honorary awards are an opportunity for Wintec to recognise the achievements of people who help make our
communities stronger and who make a significant contribution to Wintec, the region and the nation.
“The recipients of Wintec’s honorary awards have not used traditional academic pathways, they have earned their awards
equally well in other ways.”
He also acknowledged the passing of one of Wintec’s honoraries at the event.
“Sadly, earlier this month one of our honorary family members, Monica Leggat, passed away, and I’d like to acknowledge
this loss. Monica, a stalwart in netball and sporting circles, was a great supporter of Wintec, and always made the time
to attend one of our graduation ceremonies each year. She will be missed.”
Three other Waikato leaders in the areas of innovation, business and arts will receive honorary awards from Wintec in
2019 for their longstanding contribution to their respective fields later in the year.
Sir James Wallace, an arts patron behind one of New Zealand’s most important art collections and Dallas Fisher,
businessman and entrepreneur extraordinaire will receive honorary degrees. David Sidwell, one of New Zealand’s most
highly acclaimed musical directors will receive an institutional medal.
About Leaupepe Elizapeta (Peta) Karalus
Peta Karalus moved to New Zealand from Western Samoa when she was 17, after being awarded a New Zealand Government
Nursing Scholarship to study. She trained and graduated as a Registered Nurse, went on to complete a Master’s in Health
Policy and Health Perspectives (Hons) in 2001. In that time, she taught nursing at Wintec, as well as being a mother to
nine children.
She holds a high chief title, Leaupepe from the village of Fasito’outa in Samoa.
In 1999, Pasifika communities in Hamilton came together, seeking a Pasifika-focused service to enable the health and
wellbeing of Pasifika people. Peta established K’aute Pasifika Trust with the help and support of these communities and led the vision, ‘united we achieve’ as chief executive officer for
18 years.
K’aute Pasifika Trust now services more than 4,000 Pacific Island clients in Hamilton with a range of health, social and
education services.
In 2011, Karalus led the establishment of Aeretai Regional Collective and Network, which brought together Pasifika Providers in Hamilton, Tokoroa, Tauranga and later Taranaki, Hawkes Bay and Gisborne.
K’aute Pasifika is the lead provider for the Midlands Pasifika Collective and Whānau Ora Services throughout the wider
Waikato region.
On top of this, she led the establishment of the Pasifika Power UP Plus programme in 2016, to support Pasifika parents, families and communities to champion their children's learning.
Developed and funded by the Ministry of Education, PowerUP is a success and the collaboration between Wintec and K’aute
Pasifika made this a reality.
Karalus has contributed to several important pieces of research. She is a Justice of the Peace and was also awarded
Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2006, for services to the Pacific Islands
community. She has now moved back to live in Samoa after many years in the Waikato.
ends