(Picture caption: King’s Birthday Honours recipient Leitualaalemalietoa Lynn Pavihi has made significant contributions to Pacific education over 19 years. Photo Credit: RNZ.)
Minister of Health and Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has recognised the significant work of those included in the King’s Birthday 2024 Honours List, particularly those being honoured for services to health and medical sciences and services to Pacific communities.
Minister Reti says this year’s King’s Birthday Honours List represents a massive breadth of experience and achievements and decades of committed service to New Zealand.
“For that, I honour them,” he says.
For their dedication to Pacific communities, Frances Oakes and Leitualaalemalietoa Lynn Pavihi are appointed as Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Minister Reti says Frances Oakes has played a critical role in providing mental health services in the Waitaki District for more than 30 years, as well as supporting Pacific language and culture programmes for the Oamaru community.
“She helped establish the Waitaki Community Mental Health Service, a key organisation providing essential mental health support to the region.
“She also founded the Oamaru Pacific Island Community group in 1998, a community-led Pacific provider which has become a cornerstone for fostering unity and support for Pacific communities.
“For her services to mental health and the Pacific community, I say mālō ‘aupito.
Leitualaalemalietoa Pavihi has made significant contributions to Pacific education over 19 years.
Most notably, she spearheaded the world’s first Niue language bilingual unit at Favona Primary School in Māngere and continues to drive the revitalisation of the language for the Niue community, Minister Reti adds.
“Pavihi’s efforts to strengthening the Niuean language are extensive, including hosting a weekly Niue radio programme on the Pacific Media Network, authoring children’s books in the Niuean language, and championing the Niue Auckland Rugby Union for six years.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was also instrumental in organising community activities to ensure the Niue community was properly informed about COVID-19. For Pavihi’s strong championing of Pacific language and education, fakaaue lahi.”
Other Pacific peoples named on the King's Birthday Honours list include:
To be Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit
To be a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit
The King's Service Medal (KSM)
Congratulations to all the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours recipients.