His involvement in the pacific community dates well before his involvement with PIACT and PTO as he helped establish an early childhood centre for Pacific children in 2001 and a homework and after school programme at a Pacific Island church in the 1990s. Although his work is now in Otago, Dean still lives in Invercargill, where he moved to in the 1960s from the Cook Islands. Dean described it as a difficult transition with lots of language and cultural barriers that still exist today. Coming to the country as an immigrant, Dean wanted to give back to the community which he has done with his involvement with the trusts.
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.