Hon Aupito William Sio
Minister for Pacific Peoples
Prominent Pacific health champion Faumuina Professor Fa’afetai Sopoaga has been made a Companion of the New Zealand
Order of Merit in the New Year’s Honours list.
Professor Sopoaga has been a champion for Pacific Health at Otago University, said Minister of Pacific Peoples Aupito
William Sio.
“She’s overseen changes in health education which saw Pacific students in Health Sciences succeed in greater numbers.
“Professor Sopoaga was also instrumental as the Director of the Va’a o Tautai Centre for Pacific Health, she led the
mobilisation of Samoa Doctors Worldwide to support relief efforts for Samoa’s 2019/2020 measles epidemic. And more
recently she’s been representing New Zealand to support Samoa’s vaccination rollout.”
Prominent South Auckland local body leader Mr Alf Filipaina has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. A
former policeman, Alf Filipaina was the first Pacific councillor elected to the Auckland Super City Council.
“Alf has also been at the forefront of the current COVID-19 response and is a champion for Rugby League in South
Auckland, I think he’s just been a tireless champion for everyone in South Auckland,” said Aupito William Sio.
For promoting leadership in her community, Samoan Ms Sina Moana Wendt has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order
of Merit. Ms Wendt developed the Mana Moana Experience for Pacific leaders.
“Sina has also been instrumental in the expansion of the Pacific Music Awards to the point where there are now 18
categories for Pacific music.
“I am very proud of the calibre and tireless advocacy of our Pacific honours recipients. I congratulate all the Pacific
People who have shared in these New Year’s Honours and their families for their support and sacrifice over the years.
It’s a great achievement for our Pacific communities across Aotearoa,” said Aupito William Sio.The recipients are:CNZMFaumuina Professor Fa'afetai Sopoaga, for services to Pacific health and tertiary educationONZMTuita'alili Vaitava'e Su'a Aloese-Moe, JP, for services to the Pacific communityMs Sina Moana Wendt, for services to governanceMNZMMr Alfred Meredith Filipaina, for services to the New Zealand Police and the communityDr Rose Namoori-Sinclair, for services to the Kiribati communityNamulau’ulu Taotua Leaoa Joshua James Potoa'e Robertson, for services to the Pacific communityMr Allan Stowers, for services to the Samoan communityMrs Kolokesa Uafā Māhina-Tuai, for services to cultures and the artsMrs Teremoana Yala, for services to the Cook Islands communityQSMMrs Nonu 'Unga Alatini, for services to the Tongan community and educationMrs Vaisamoa Manoa, for services to the Tuvalu communityMrs Taulapu Oliver, JP, for services to the Pacific communityMs Glorious Marie Oxenham, for services to the Melanesian communityMrs Ingi Kulesa Sale Tusini-Rex, for services to the Niue communityHONORARY QSMMr Tito Daurewa, for services to the Pacific community and Pacific rugbyMrs Falanisesi Fusitu'a Hafoka, for services to the Tongan community