Press Release – New Zealand Government
Hon Aupito William Sio
Minister for Pacific Peoples
Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio says the New Year’s Honours List 2021 highlights again the outstanding contribution made by Pacific people across Aotearoa.
“We are acknowledging the work of 13 Pacific leaders in the New Year’s Honours, representing a number of sectors including health, education, community, sports, the arts, media and the public sector,” says Aupito William Sio.
“These Pacific recipients have all demonstrated leadership, dedication and tenacity with a heart for Pacific, and each has made a genuine difference that has impacted on the communities they have worked with.
Minister for Pacific
Peoples
Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito
William Sio says the New Year’s Honours List 2021
highlights again the outstanding contribution made by
Pacific people across Aotearoa.
“We are
acknowledging the work of 13 Pacific leaders in the New
Year’s Honours, representing a number of sectors including
health, education, community, sports, the arts, media and
the public sector,” says Aupito William
Sio.
“These Pacific recipients have all demonstrated
leadership, dedication and tenacity with a heart for
Pacific, and each has made a genuine difference that has
impacted on the communities they have worked
with.
“It’s inspirational for me to see Pacific
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.