Playwrights, teachers, reverends, advocates and athletes are among the 13 Pacific people who have received New Year s Honours, a group the Pacific peoples minister has described as inspiring.
Auckland early childhood educator, Afamasaga Vaafusuaga Telesia McDonald-Alipia is now an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Afamasaga has had a long-involvement with Pacific early childhood education, dating back to 1991. She was New Zealand s national coordinator for the Home Interaction Programme for Parents and Youngsters, which now has 40 centres across the country.
A tribute
Award-winning playwright Victor Rodger has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for his services to theatre and Pacific arts.